Pennsylvania Child Support — Calculator, Laws & Guide (2026)

Understanding Pennsylvania child support laws helps both custodial and non-custodial parents know their rights and obligations. This comprehensive Pennsylvania child support guide covers how payments are calculated, what income counts, when support can be modified, and how orders are enforced. Whether you are going through a divorce, seeking a modification, or dealing with non-payment, this guide explains Pennsylvania’s child support system in plain language.

Verified against Pennsylvania statutes and federal OCSE guidelines as of April 2026.

Pennsylvania Child Support Overview

Pennsylvania uses the income shares model for calculating child support. This model is based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the family were intact. Both parents’ incomes are combined, and the support obligation is divided proportionally.

Pennsylvania uses the Income Shares Model developed under the Child Support Guidelines Project funded by the U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement. Both parents’ monthly net incomes are combined and looked up on the Basic Child Support Schedule (Rule 1910.16-3), which shows estimated child-rearing expenditures by combined income level and number of children (1 through 6). Each parent’s share of the basic obligation is proportional to their percentage of combined net income. The obligor’s share becomes the support order. When combined monthly net income exceeds 30000, the presumptive minimum obligation is the amount that would apply at the 30000 income level; the court may order additional support above that floor based on the circumstances. A 10% reduction in the basic obligation applies when the obligor has 40% or more of annual overnights (shared/equal custody), creating a rebuttable presumption of increased direct spending.

How Pennsylvania Calculates Child Support

The Pennsylvania child support calculation considers multiple factors:

1. Determine each parent’s gross income — wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, investment income, and other sources.
2. Calculate combined parental income — add both parents’ adjusted gross incomes together.
3. Apply the guideline schedule — Pennsylvania’s guidelines provide a base support amount based on combined income and number of children.
4. Prorate between parents — each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income.
5. Add healthcare and childcare costs — these are added to the base amount and divided proportionally.
6. Apply adjustments — parenting time credits, other child obligations, and special circumstances may adjust the final amount.

Online calculator: Use our child support estimator below to calculate your estimated obligation.

What Counts as Income in Pennsylvania

Monthly NET income. Gross income includes income from any source as defined by 23 Pa.C.S. 4302, including: wages, salaries, bonuses, fees, commissions and similar items; net income from business or dealings in property; interest, rents, royalties and dividends; pensions, annuities and Social Security retirement benefits; Social Security disability benefits; temporary and permanent disability benefits; workers compensation; unemployment compensation; and other entitlements to money or lump sum awards. Gross income is ordinarily based on at least a six-month average. Allowable deductions from gross income under Rule 1910.16-2(c) are an exclusive list: federal, state and local income taxes; FICA payments (Social Security, Medicare, Self-Employment taxes); non-voluntary retirement payments (mandatory contributions); union dues; alimony paid to the other party; and support obligations to children who are not the subject of the current action.

Imputed income: YES. Under Rule 1910.16-2(d), if a party willfully fails to obtain or maintain appropriate employment, the trier-of-fact may impute an income equal to the party’s earning capacity. Factors considered include age, education, training, health, work experience, earnings history, child care responsibilities, and jobs available within a particular occupation. The imputed earning capacity cannot exceed what the party could earn from one full-time position. The court must determine a reasonable work regimen based on the party’s circumstances and must state the reasons for the earning capacity assessment in writing or on the record. The rule distinguishes between voluntary and involuntary income changes.

Deviation factors: Under Rule 1910.16-5, the trier-of-fact may deviate from the guideline amount after considering: (1) unusual needs and unusual fixed obligations; (2) a party’s other support obligations; (3) other household income; (4) the child’s age; (5) the parties’ relative assets and liabilities; (6) medical expenses not covered by insurance; (7) the parties’ and the child’s standard of living; (8) in spousal support or alimony pendente lite cases, the duration of the marriage from date of marriage to date of final separation; and (9) other relevant and appropriate factors, including the best interests of the child. The court must explain in writing or on the record the reasons for any deviation.

Healthcare & Childcare in Pennsylvania Child Support

Health insurance: Under Rule 1910.16-6(b), health insurance premiums are treated as an additional expense allocated between the parties in proportion to their respective net incomes, added on top of the basic support obligation. The rule permits allocation of the entire premium, including the paying party’s own portion, when the insurance benefits the other party or the children. Unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding 250 per child per year are also allocated proportionally between the parties as an additional expense (the first 250 per child per year is built into the basic child support schedule). Medical expenses are defined to include insurance co-payments, deductibles, and orthodontia, but exclude chiropractic services.

Childcare costs: Under Rule 1910.16-6(a), reasonable child care expenses necessary for a parent to work or attend school are added to the basic support obligation and apportioned between the parties in proportion to their respective net incomes. Child care expenses incurred by both custodial and non-custodial parents are included in the calculation, recognizing that a non-custodial parent may also incur such expenses during custodial periods.

When Does Pennsylvania Child Support End?

In Pennsylvania, child support generally ends when the child reaches Child support terminates at age 18 or upon graduation from high school, whichever occurs later. Support charging orders are administratively terminated on the last to occur of the date the youngest child reaches 18 or graduates from high school. Support may continue beyond 18 for a child who is disabled and unable to support themselves.. However, support may continue or end earlier based on:

• The child graduates from high school (if still a minor)
• The child becomes emancipated (marriage, military service, self-supporting)
• The child has special needs requiring ongoing support
• College support: YES. Under 23 Pa.C.S. 4327, the court may order either or both parents who are separated, divorced, unmarried, or otherwise subject to an existing support obligation to provide equitably for postsecondary educational costs of their child, whether the application is made before or after the child reaches age 18. Covered programs include college, university, or other postsecondary vocational, secretarial, business, or technical school. The student must make reasonable efforts to apply for scholarships, grants, and work-study aid. The duty to provide postsecondary education is not as exacting as the duty to provide basic necessities. The obligation does not include payments for the student’s living expenses at the other parent’s home unless the student resides there and commutes. Either party may request modification or termination upon proof of change in educational status, material change in financial status, or other relevant factors.

Modifying Pennsylvania Child Support

When to modify: A petition for modification must allege a material and substantial change in circumstances. Pennsylvania does not specify a fixed percentage or dollar threshold for what constitutes a material and substantial change. Common qualifying changes include: significant increase or decrease in either parent’s income; a new guideline amount resulting from revised support guidelines (new or amended schedules); additional income, income sources, or assets identified through automated methods; changes in custody arrangements; changes in the child’s needs; and changes in the number of dependents. Each due support obligation becomes a judgment by operation of law on its due date under 23 Pa.C.S. 4352.

How to modify: File a Petition for Modification with the Domestic Relations Section (DRS) of the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the support order was entered. The petition must specifically state the material and substantial change in circumstances on which it is based. Once filed, the petition cannot be withdrawn without consent of both parties or leave of court. The county DRS may also conduct periodic reviews of support orders, typically every three years, and either party or the DRS may initiate a review. The Pennsylvania Child Support Program (BCSE/DRS) can assist with the modification process.

Either parent can request a modification. Changes are typically not retroactive to before the date of filing the modification request.

Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement

Pennsylvania has multiple tools to enforce child support orders when a parent fails to pay:

• Income withholding/wage garnishment (mandatory when arrears equal one month’s obligation; employer may not withhold more than 50% of income if obligor supports another family or 60% if not supporting another family); driver’s license suspension (when arrears equal or exceed 3 times the monthly obligation and no active income withholding order is in place
• suspension takes effect 7 days after PennDOT processes the request and continues indefinitely until the obligation is satisfied); federal and state tax refund intercept (IRS income tax refund offset program); passport denial for arrears exceeding 2500; contempt of court (civil and criminal); credit bureau reporting; liens on real and personal property; financial institution data match and account seizure; unemployment compensation intercept; lottery winnings intercept

Contact Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE), administered through Cooperative Agreements with the 67 county Courts of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Sections (DRS) at https://www.childsupport.pa.gov/ for enforcement assistance.

Additional Pennsylvania rules: Pennsylvania applies a rebuttable presumption of a reduction in the basic support obligation when the obligor has 40% or more of annual overnights with the child (shared custody adjustment). For high-income cases with combined monthly net income exceeding 30000, the court applies the guideline amount at 30000 as a presumptive minimum and has discretion to award additional support above that floor. Rule 1910.16-7 addresses multiple family support obligations, adjusting each parent’s net income when there are pre-existing support obligations to other children. Pennsylvania requires the basic support schedule to be reviewed at least every four years by the Supreme Court’s Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee to ensure guideline amounts reflect current economic data. The state uses a statewide computer system (PACSES — Pennsylvania Automated Child Support Enforcement System) for case management and payment processing.

Official Sources & Resources

• Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE), administered through Cooperative Agreements with the 67 county Courts of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Sections (DRS): https://www.childsupport.pa.gov/
• Federal OCSE: acf.hhs.gov/css
• Cornell LII — Child Support: law.cornell.edu
• Pennsylvania Guidelines Statute: 231 Pa. Code Rules 1910.16-1 through 1910.16-7 (Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, Support Guidelines); 23 Pa.C.S. Chapter 43, Subchapter C (Child and Spousal Support, sections 4321-4352); 23 Pa.C.S. 4327 (postsecondary educational costs)

Last verified April 2026. Contact us if you notice outdated information.

Estimate Your Child Support

Use our free child support estimator to calculate estimated monthly payments. Enter both parents’ incomes, number of children, and custody arrangement to see a personalized breakdown based on your state’s formula.

Related Guides

• Pennsylvania Divorce Process Guide
• Pennsylvania Child Custody Guide
• Pennsylvania Alimony Guide
• All Child Support Guides