Massachusetts Child Support Calculator
Calculate estimated child support using Massachusetts' official guidelines
About Massachusetts' Guidelines
Income Shares Model (revised 2021)
Note: Uses gross income with specific allowable deductions
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 Massachusetts family law attorney for official calculations.
Official Massachusetts Court Forms
Download official court forms from the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts court websites. Forms are free and provided by the state judiciary.
Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines
Massachusetts uses the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines 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.
Massachusetts has several distinctive features in its child support system. Massachusetts uses a unique approach: guidelines set the presumptive amount, but judges have significant discretion to deviate. The 2021 revision increased the income cap to approximately $400,000/year combined and modernized the guidelines. Massachusetts includes specific factors for children over 18 (college-age) — courts can order support through age 23 in some cases.
Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts is $1,450/month, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to cover basic living expenses.
How Massachusetts Calculates Child Support
Massachusetts follows a 6-step process under the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines:
- 1
Calculate each parent's gross weekly income from all sources
- 2
Subtract certain deductions: other child support orders, childcare costs for other children
- 3
Combine gross incomes (after deductions) and find the basic support from the guidelines table
- 4
Allocate proportionally based on each parent's percentage of combined income
- 5
For shared custody (each parent has at least one-third of overnights): calculate each parent's obligation and offset
- 6
Add proportional shares of children's health insurance and childcare
Income Thresholds & Key Numbers in Massachusetts
Maximum Income Cap
$40,000/mo
Self-Support Reserve
$1,450/mo
Shared Custody Threshold
120 nights/yr
33% of overnights
Income Basis
gross
Sample Obligation Schedule
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $310 | $450 | $548 |
| $4,000 | $555 | $810 | $990 |
| $6,000 | $775 | $1,135 | $1,388 |
| $10,000 | $1,165 | $1,715 | $2,098 |
| $15,000 | $1,590 | $2,345 | $2,870 |
| $25,000 | $2,100 | $3,100 | $3,800 |
* Simplified schedule. Actual amounts may vary based on additional factors.
Custody Time Adjustments in Massachusetts
Massachusetts recognizes "Shared Physical Custody" when the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 120 overnights per year (approximately 33% 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 Massachusetts' 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 120 overnights, Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Child Support
Can Massachusetts order child support past age 18?
What is the income cap in Massachusetts?
How to Reduce Child Support Costs in Massachusetts
While child support is determined by Massachusetts' guidelines, there are legitimate ways to ensure your obligation is calculated fairly.
Increase Parenting Time
In Massachusetts, 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
Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Calculation Model
Income Shares
Guidelines Source
State Statute
Review Frequency
Every 4 Years
Income Cap
$40,000/mo
Last Updated
January 15, 2024
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