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

Understanding Alaska child support laws helps both custodial and non-custodial parents know their rights and obligations. This comprehensive Alaska 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 Alaska’s child support system in plain language.

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

Alaska Child Support Overview

Alaska uses the percentage of income model. Child support is calculated as a set percentage of the non-custodial parent’s income, based on the number of children. This model is simpler but considers only one parent’s income.

How Alaska Calculates Child Support

The Alaska 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 — Alaska’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 Alaska

Total income from all sources (gross income) including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, dividends, pensions, Social Security benefits, workers compensation, unemployment benefits, rental income, trust income, and stock dividends. Adjusted annual income is calculated by deducting: federal, state, and local income taxes; Social Security tax; Medicare tax; mandatory union dues; mandatory retirement/pension contributions; and voluntary retirement contributions up to 7.5% of gross wages (combined with mandatory contributions). Work-related childcare expenses for the subject children are also deductible under Rule 90.3(a)(1)(E).

Imputed income: YES — the court may calculate child support based on potential income if a parent is voluntarily and unreasonably unemployed or underemployed. Potential income is based on the parent’s work history, qualifications, and available job opportunities. The court considers the totality of circumstances. Exceptions: income may NOT be imputed to a parent who is physically or mentally incapacitated, or who is caring for a child under 2 years of age to whom the parents owe a joint legal responsibility.

Deviation factors: Court may deviate from guideline amount if unusual circumstances exist that make the standard formula manifestly unjust. Factors include: especially large family size, significant income of the child, health or other extraordinary expenses, unusually low expenses, shared custody time arrangements, and other unusual circumstances. The court must make specific written findings to justify a deviation.

Healthcare & Childcare in Alaska Child Support

Health insurance: The court must address children’s healthcare needs in every child support order. Health insurance must be ordered if available to either parent at reasonable cost. The cost of children’s health insurance is split equally between parents unless the court orders otherwise for good cause. The obligor’s support amount is decreased by the obligee’s share of insurance if the obligor pays; increased by the obligor’s share if the obligee pays. Uncovered reasonable healthcare expenses (medical, dental, vision, mental health counseling) are also split equally between parents unless otherwise ordered.

Childcare costs: Work-related childcare expenses for the subject children are deductible from the parent’s income under Civil Rule 90.3(a)(1)(E). Expenses must be reasonable and necessary to enable the parent to work or to be enrolled in an educational program that will improve employment opportunities. These are subtracted before applying the percentage formula.

When Does Alaska Child Support End?

In Alaska, child support generally ends when the child reaches 18, but extends to 19 if the child is still enrolled in high school or an equivalent vocational/technical program (whichever comes first: graduation or turning 19). Support also ends upon emancipation — defined as marriage, legal emancipation by court order, entry into U.S. armed forces, or death of the child.. 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: NO — Alaska courts cannot order parents to pay for college or post-secondary education costs. The only exception is if both parents have a written agreement specifically obligating them to contribute to college expenses. The statutory duty to support ends at emancipation.

Modifying Alaska Child Support

When to modify: A change of 15% or more in the calculated support amount (based on updated incomes or parenting schedules) constitutes a substantial change justifying modification. Other triggers include: a new child of the relationship, a change in the custody or visitation schedule, or 3 or more years since the last income review. Job loss alone may not suffice if the parent is deemed voluntarily underemployed.

How to modify: Either parent may file a request for modification with the Child Support Services Division (CSSD) or file a motion to modify with the court. When filed through CSSD, the agency sends both parents a Notice of Petition for Modification packet explaining the process and listing required information. The modification process typically takes 2 to 6 months. Modification is effective on or after the date the motion or petition is served on the opposing party — it is not applied retroactively.

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

Alaska Child Support Enforcement

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

• Income withholding orders (wages
• commissions
• retirement checks); Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) seizure for past-due support; federal tax refund intercept (Federal Offset Program); bank account levies; liens against real and personal property; revocation of state driver’s license; revocation of occupational and professional licenses; contempt of court proceedings; credit bureau reporting. CSSD also has online Client Portal
• Business Portal (for employers)
• and Tribal Portal for case management.

Contact Alaska Child Support Services Division (CSSD), under the Alaska Department of Revenue at https://childsupport.alaska.gov/ for enforcement assistance.

Additional Alaska rules: Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) seizure is unique to Alaska — CSSD can intercept all or part of a parent’s annual PFD check to satisfy past-due child support. The adjusted annual income cap is 138000. Minimum monthly support is 50. Alaska uses Civil Rule 90.3 (a court rule) rather than a statute for guidelines — this is unusual as most states codify guidelines in statute. SB 46 and SB 134 have been introduced in the Alaska Legislature to move guidelines from court rule to statute but had not been enacted as of the most recent data.

Official Sources & Resources

• Alaska Child Support Services Division (CSSD), under the Alaska Department of Revenue: https://childsupport.alaska.gov/
• Federal OCSE: acf.hhs.gov/css
• Cornell LII — Child Support: law.cornell.edu
• Alaska Guidelines Statute: Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 (child support calculation formula and procedures); AS 25.27 (Child Support Services Agency duties and enforcement); AS 25.24.160 (child support in divorce proceedings); 15 AAC 125.010 et seq. (administrative regulations governing CSSD)

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

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