Arizona Child Support Calculator
Calculate estimated child support using Arizona's official guidelines
About Arizona's Guidelines
Income Shares Model with parenting time adjustment
Note: Significant adjustments for shared parenting time over 103 days
Key Information
- •Model: Income Shares
- •Last Updated: January 15, 2024
Common Deviation Factors
Monthly Income
Children & Custody
Additional Monthly Expenses
Estimates only — not legal advice. Consult a Arizona family law attorney for official calculations.
Official Arizona Court Forms
Download official court forms from the Arizona judiciary website. These are free, legally valid forms for your family court case.
Child Support Forms
Official petitions & worksheets
Modification Forms
Request changes to orders
Parenting Plan
Custody & visitation schedule
These links go to official Arizona court websites. Forms are free and provided by the state judiciary.
Arizona Child Support Guidelines
Arizona uses the Arizona Child Support Guidelines (A.R.S. § 25-320) to determine child support obligations. Under the Income Shares model, both parents' incomes are combined to estimate what the family would have spent on the child if the household were intact. The obligation is then divided proportionally based on each parent's contribution to combined gross income.
Arizona has several distinctive features in its child support system. Arizona adjusts support when the non-custodial parent has 103+ parenting days (not just overnights). The state applies a Self-Support Reserve Test — if the obligor's income minus support falls below the reserve, support is reduced. Arizona includes a specific adjustment for children's educational expenses including private school if previously agreed upon.
Arizona bases calculations on gross income — meaning income before taxes and deductions. This includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, and other sources. The self-support reserve in Arizona is $1,294/month, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to cover basic living expenses.
How Arizona Calculates Child Support
Arizona follows a 7-step process under the Arizona Child Support Guidelines (A.R.S. § 25-320):
- 1
Determine each parent's gross monthly income from all sources
- 2
Subtract court-ordered child support for other children and spousal maintenance paid
- 3
Combine adjusted gross incomes and look up the basic support obligation from the Schedule of Basic Support
- 4
Prorate the obligation based on each parent's percentage of combined income
- 5
If the non-custodial parent has 103+ parenting days, apply the parenting time adjustment formula
- 6
Add pro-rata shares of medical insurance and childcare costs
- 7
Apply the Self-Support Reserve Test to ensure the obligor retains at least $1,294/month
Income Thresholds & Key Numbers in Arizona
Minimum Income Threshold
$100/mo
Maximum Income Cap
$25,000/mo
Self-Support Reserve
$1,294/mo
Federal Poverty Guideline
$1,255/mo
Shared Custody Threshold
103 nights/yr
28% of overnights
Income Basis
gross
Sample Obligation Schedule
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $252 | $361 | $430 |
| $3,000 | $445 | $648 | $785 |
| $5,000 | $650 | $955 | $1,160 |
| $8,000 | $900 | $1,330 | $1,615 |
| $12,000 | $1,170 | $1,730 | $2,110 |
| $20,000 | $1,570 | $2,325 | $2,840 |
* Simplified schedule. Actual amounts may vary based on additional factors.
Custody Time Adjustments in Arizona
Arizona recognizes "Parenting Time Adjustment" when the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 103 overnights per year (approximately 28% of the time). When this threshold is met, the standard child support formula is adjusted to reflect the increased direct expenses borne by both parents.
Under Arizona's Income Shares approach, the shared parenting adjustment typically calculates each parent's obligation based on their income share, then applies a credit or cross-calculation that accounts for the time each parent directly supports the child. The more overnights the non-custodial parent has, the greater the reduction in their payment — but the adjustment is not dollar-for-dollar because fixed costs like housing don't decrease when the child is away.
Below 103 overnights, Arizona generally treats the arrangement as a sole custody situation with standard visitation, and no custody time adjustment is applied to the child support calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Child Support
What is the parenting time adjustment in Arizona?
What counts as income for Arizona child support?
What is the self-support reserve in Arizona?
Can Arizona child support exceed the guidelines?
How to Reduce Child Support Costs in Arizona
While child support is determined by Arizona's guidelines, there are legitimate ways to ensure your obligation is calculated fairly.
Increase Parenting Time
In Arizona, more overnights with your children can reduce your support obligation. Document actual time spent and request a formal custody modification if needed.
Ensure Accurate Income Reporting
Both parents' incomes must be reported accurately. Verify that bonuses, overtime, and variable income are averaged correctly over the appropriate period.
Claim All Allowable Deductions
Arizona allows deductions for items like mandatory retirement contributions, union dues, and health insurance premiums. Make sure all qualifying deductions are included.
Request a Modification When Eligible
If your income has decreased by 15-25% or more, you may qualify for a modification. File promptly — changes are typically not retroactive before the filing date.
Account for Other Children
If you have other children you're legally obligated to support, this can be factored into the calculation as a deduction in most states.
Review Healthcare & Childcare Costs
Ensure shared expenses like health insurance and childcare are divided proportionally. If costs have changed, update the court.
Key Facts About Child Support in Arizona
Calculation Model
Income Shares
Guidelines Source
State Statute
Review Frequency
Every 4 Years
Last Updated
January 15, 2024
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