Minnesota Child Support Calculator
Calculate estimated child support using Minnesota's official guidelines
About Minnesota's Guidelines
Income Shares Model with parenting expense adjustment
Note: Uses Parenting Expense Adjustment (PEA) starting at 10% parenting time
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 Minnesota family law attorney for official calculations.
Official Minnesota Court Forms
Download official court forms from the Minnesota 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 Minnesota court websites. Forms are free and provided by the state judiciary.
Minnesota Child Support Guidelines
Minnesota uses the Minnesota Child Support Guidelines (Minn. Stat. § 518A) 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.
Minnesota has several distinctive features in its child support system. Minnesota has the lowest parenting time threshold in the country — just 10% of time (37 overnights) triggers the Parenting Expense Adjustment. The PEA uses a sliding scale with 3 tiers: 10-45% parenting time, 45.1-50% (shared), and separate formulas for each. Minnesota explicitly defines "gross income" to include potential income from assets (e.g., rental property, investments).
Minnesota 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 Minnesota is $1,368/month, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to cover basic living expenses.
How Minnesota Calculates Child Support
Minnesota follows a 6-step process under the Minnesota Child Support Guidelines (Minn. Stat. § 518A):
- 1
Calculate each parent's gross monthly income from all sources, including potential income from assets
- 2
Determine the basic support obligation from the guidelines table based on combined income and number of children
- 3
Each parent's share is their percentage of combined income
- 4
Apply the Parenting Expense Adjustment (PEA): at 10-45% parenting time, a percentage credit applies; at 45.1-50%, a shared custody formula applies
- 5
Calculate medical support and childcare separately and allocate proportionally
- 6
Apply the self-support adjustment if the obligor's income minus support falls below $1,368/month
Income Thresholds & Key Numbers in Minnesota
Self-Support Reserve
$1,368/mo
Shared Custody Threshold
37 nights/yr
10% of overnights
Income Basis
gross
Sample Obligation Schedule
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $252 | $365 | $436 |
| $3,000 | $455 | $663 | $804 |
| $5,000 | $665 | $975 | $1,185 |
| $8,000 | $920 | $1,355 | $1,648 |
| $12,000 | $1,195 | $1,762 | $2,145 |
* Simplified schedule. Actual amounts may vary based on additional factors.
Custody Time Adjustments in Minnesota
Minnesota recognizes "Parenting Expense Adjustment (PEA)" when the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 37 overnights per year (approximately 10% 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 Minnesota'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 37 overnights, Minnesota 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 Minnesota Child Support
What is the Parenting Expense Adjustment (PEA)?
Why is Minnesota's threshold so low?
How does the PEA sliding scale work?
How to Reduce Child Support Costs in Minnesota
While child support is determined by Minnesota's guidelines, there are legitimate ways to ensure your obligation is calculated fairly.
Increase Parenting Time
In Minnesota, 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
Minnesota 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 Minnesota
Calculation Model
Income Shares
Guidelines Source
State Statute
Review Frequency
Every 4 Years
Last Updated
January 15, 2024
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