How Child Support Models Compare by State
Every state sets its own child support guidelines, but most fall into one of a handful of calculation models. All 50 states are grouped below by the model their guidelines actually use.
Income Shares
Support is based on both parents' combined income and an estimate of what raising children costs at that income level, then divided between the parents by each one's share of the combined income. This is the model most states use.
Percentage of Obligor Income
Support is a percentage of the paying parent's own income only, not combined with the other parent's -- similar in structure to Texas's approach, computed under each state's own statute and percentages.
Percentage of Obligor's Net Resources
Support is a flat percentage of the paying parent's own net resources, set by the number of children -- the other parent's income isn't part of the calculation.
Percentage of Combined Net Income
Support comes from a statutory percentage table applied to both parents' combined net income, rather than a per-parent income-shares formula.