Pennsylvania Child Support Calculator
Calculate child support in Pennsylvania using the state's official Income Shares Model. Includes custody adjustments, health insurance credits, and childcare deductions.
Pennsylvania divorces typically cost 32% less than the national average of $12,900.
Child Support in Pennsylvania
- Formula
- Income Shares Model
- Income cap
- None specified
- Equal parenting presumption
- No
- Property system
- Equitable distribution
Child Support Calculator in Pennsylvania: What You Should Know
Pennsylvania uses the Income Shares Model with net monthly income as the base. Pennsylvania's guidelines are set by rule of the Supreme Court and include specific tables for combined net monthly income from $500 to over $30,000. Pennsylvania law requires that both parents contribute to reasonable childcare, health insurance, and educational expenses in proportion to their incomes, in addition to basic support. Pennsylvania also has a self-support reserve (a minimum income floor below which support cannot be ordered), ensuring that support obligations do not drive a parent below subsistence level.
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Locked to Pennsylvania on this page.
Use your gross (before-tax) monthly income. If you are paid annually, divide by 12.
Use their gross (before-tax) monthly income. If they are paid annually, divide by 12.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
Child Support in Pennsylvania - Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support. Both parents' gross incomes are combined, and each parent's share of the total obligation is proportional to their share of the combined income.
Can child support be modified in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Either parent can request a child support modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, change in custody arrangements, or changes in the child's needs. Courts in Pennsylvania typically require a change of at least 15-20% in the support amount to justify modification.
Does custody arrangement affect child support in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Parenting time is a significant factor in child support calculations. When a parent has the children for a substantial portion of time (typically 40% or more overnights per year), child support is adjusted to reflect the additional direct costs that parent bears.
Is there an income cap for child support in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania does not set a specific income cap in its child support formula. However, courts have discretion to deviate from the guideline amount in cases with very high incomes.
How long does child support last in Pennsylvania?
Child support in Pennsylvania typically continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. Support may continue longer if the child has a disability or if the parents agree to extend support for college expenses.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.