Pennsylvania Child Support Calculator
Calculate estimated child support using Pennsylvania's official guidelines
About Pennsylvania's Guidelines
Income Shares Model
Note: Uses net income with detailed schedule
Key Information
- •Model: Income Shares
- •Income Cap: $30,000/month combined
- •Last Updated: January 15, 2024
Common Deviation Factors
Monthly Income
Children & Custody
Additional Monthly Expenses
Estimates only — not legal advice. Consult a Pennsylvania family law attorney for official calculations.
Official Pennsylvania Court Forms
Download official court forms from the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania court websites. Forms are free and provided by the state judiciary.
Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines
Pennsylvania uses the Pennsylvania Support Guidelines (Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16) 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.
Pennsylvania has several distinctive features in its child support system. Pennsylvania uses net income with detailed schedules — one of the most specific income-shares implementations. Shared custody applies when the obligor has 40%+ of overnights (146+ nights), not at a lower threshold. Pennsylvania uniquely combines child support and spousal support in a single calculation — if both apply, support is calculated together.
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania is $1,215/month, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to cover basic living expenses.
How Pennsylvania Calculates Child Support
Pennsylvania follows a 6-step process under the Pennsylvania Support Guidelines (Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16):
- 1
Calculate each parent's monthly net income (after taxes, FICA, mandatory deductions)
- 2
Combine net incomes and find the basic support obligation from Rule 1910.16-3
- 3
Each parent's share = their percentage of combined net income × basic obligation
- 4
For shared custody (40%+ overnights): apply a 10% reduction per percentage point above 30%
- 5
Add proportional shares of childcare, health insurance, and unreimbursed medical
- 6
If spousal support also applies, calculate simultaneously using the combined formula
Income Thresholds & Key Numbers in Pennsylvania
Maximum Income Cap
$30,000/mo
Self-Support Reserve
$1,215/mo
Shared Custody Threshold
110 nights/yr
30% of overnights
Income Basis
net
Sample Obligation Schedule
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $245 | $355 | $425 |
| $3,000 | $442 | $644 | $780 |
| $5,000 | $648 | $950 | $1,155 |
| $8,000 | $898 | $1,325 | $1,610 |
| $12,000 | $1,168 | $1,725 | $2,100 |
| $20,000 | $1,575 | $2,330 | $2,840 |
* Simplified schedule. Actual amounts may vary based on additional factors.
Custody Time Adjustments in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania recognizes "Shared Physical Custody (40%+ Time)" when the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 110 overnights per year (approximately 30% 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 Pennsylvania'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 110 overnights, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Child Support
What is the shared custody threshold in Pennsylvania?
Does Pennsylvania use gross or net income?
How does Pennsylvania combine child and spousal support?
How to Reduce Child Support Costs in Pennsylvania
While child support is determined by Pennsylvania's guidelines, there are legitimate ways to ensure your obligation is calculated fairly.
Increase Parenting Time
In Pennsylvania, 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
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Calculation Model
Income Shares
Guidelines Source
State Statute
Review Frequency
Every 4 Years
Income Cap
$30,000/mo
Last Updated
January 15, 2024
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