Connecticut Child Support Calculator
Calculate estimated child support using Connecticut's official guidelines
About Connecticut's Guidelines
Income Shares Model with Schedule of Basic Support
Note: Uses presumptive support amounts from income tables
Key Information
- •Model: Income Shares
- •Income Cap: $40,000/month combined
- •Last Updated: January 15, 2024
Common Deviation Factors
Monthly Income
Children & Custody
Additional Monthly Expenses
Estimates only — not legal advice. Consult a Connecticut family law attorney for official calculations.
Official Connecticut Court Forms
Download official court forms from the Connecticut 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
Financial Disclosure
Income & expense statements
These links go to official Connecticut court websites. Forms are free and provided by the state judiciary.
Connecticut Child Support Guidelines
Connecticut uses the Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines (CGS § 46b-215a) 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 net income.
Connecticut has several distinctive features in its child support system. Connecticut uses net (after-tax) income rather than gross income, making the calculation more precise but more complex. The state has one of the highest income caps at $40,000/month combined. Connecticut's guidelines include a specific "deviation criteria" section with 15+ factors courts must consider.
Connecticut bases calculations on net income — meaning income after mandatory deductions like taxes, Social Security, and Medicare. This gives a more accurate picture of each parent's take-home pay. The self-support reserve in Connecticut is $1,425/month, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to cover basic living expenses.
How Connecticut Calculates Child Support
Connecticut follows a 7-step process under the Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines (CGS § 46b-215a):
- 1
Calculate each parent's net weekly income (gross minus taxes, Social Security, Medicare)
- 2
Subtract allowable deductions: pre-existing support orders, union dues, mandatory retirement
- 3
Combine net incomes and look up the basic child support obligation in the Schedule of Basic Support
- 4
Allocate proportionally based on each parent's share of combined net income
- 5
Add shares of net work-related childcare costs and children's unreimbursed medical expenses
- 6
Apply shared custody adjustment if the non-custodial parent has 128+ overnights
- 7
Review the 15 deviation criteria to determine if an adjustment is warranted
Income Thresholds & Key Numbers in Connecticut
Maximum Income Cap
$40,000/mo
Self-Support Reserve
$1,425/mo
Shared Custody Threshold
128 nights/yr
35% of overnights
Income Basis
net
Sample Obligation Schedule
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $240 | $348 | $418 |
| $3,000 | $435 | $635 | $770 |
| $5,000 | $640 | $940 | $1,145 |
| $8,000 | $895 | $1,320 | $1,605 |
| $15,000 | $1,350 | $2,000 | $2,440 |
| $25,000 | $1,760 | $2,600 | $3,180 |
* Simplified schedule. Actual amounts may vary based on additional factors.
Custody Time Adjustments in Connecticut
Connecticut recognizes "Shared Physical Custody" when the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 128 overnights per year (approximately 35% 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 Connecticut'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 128 overnights, Connecticut 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 Connecticut Child Support
Does Connecticut use gross or net income?
What is the shared custody threshold in Connecticut?
What income cap does Connecticut use?
How to Reduce Child Support Costs in Connecticut
While child support is determined by Connecticut's guidelines, there are legitimate ways to ensure your obligation is calculated fairly.
Increase Parenting Time
In Connecticut, 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
Connecticut 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 Connecticut
Calculation Model
Income Shares
Guidelines Source
State Statute
Review Frequency
Every 4 Years
Income Cap
$40,000/mo
Last Updated
January 15, 2024
Related Family Law Tools
Explore additional calculators and tools for your Connecticut family law case.