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What Is a Child Support Worksheet?
A child support worksheet is the official calculation form used to determine child support in your state. Think of it as a structured math problem: you input specific financial information, follow the state's formula, and arrive at a recommended monthly support amount.
Worksheets are required in virtually all child support proceedings. Whether you are establishing a new order, modifying an existing order, or reaching a voluntary agreement, you will need to complete your state's worksheet. The completed worksheet is filed with the court as part of the support proceeding.
How to Fill Out a Child Support Worksheet
While each state's form looks different, the general process follows these steps:
- Gather financial documents — Pay stubs, tax returns, proof of other income
- Enter gross income — Each parent's total monthly income from all sources
- Calculate deductions — Subtract allowable deductions (taxes, FICA, mandatory retirement, pre-existing support)
- Determine adjusted income — Gross income minus deductions for each parent
- Combine incomes — Add both parents' adjusted incomes together
- Look up basic obligation — Find the amount in the guidelines schedule for your combined income and number of children
- Calculate each parent's share — Divide the obligation based on each parent's percentage of combined income
- Add additional expenses — Health insurance, childcare, and extraordinary expenses are allocated proportionally
- Apply custody adjustments — If shared custody, apply the state's specific adjustment formula
- Arrive at final amount — The non-custodial parent's share minus direct credits equals the monthly payment
Percentage of Income Worksheet
States using the Percentage of Income model (Texas, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota) have simpler worksheets:
| Children | Texas (% of Net) | Wisconsin (% of Gross) | Mississippi (% of Adjusted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 child | 20% | 17% | 14% |
| 2 children | 25% | 25% | 20% |
| 3 children | 30% | 29% | 22% |
| 4 children | 35% | 31% | 24% |
| 5+ children | 40% | 34% | 26% |
State Worksheet Forms Directory
Access your state's official child support worksheet through your state court system or child support enforcement agency. Most states provide downloadable PDF forms:
| State | Worksheet Name | Model |
|---|---|---|
| California | FL-150 (Income & Expense Declaration) | Income Shares |
| Florida | Family Law Form 12.902(e) | Income Shares |
| Georgia | Child Support Schedule A-E | Income Shares |
| Illinois | Income Shares Worksheet | Income Shares |
| Indiana | Child Support Obligation Worksheet | Income Shares |
| Michigan | Child Support Formula Manual | Income Shares |
| New York | Child Support Standards Chart | Income Shares |
| North Carolina | AOC-CV-627 (Worksheet A/B/C) | Income Shares |
| Ohio | Child Support Computation Worksheet | Income Shares |
| Pennsylvania | Rule 1910.16 Worksheet | Income Shares |
| Tennessee | CS-WS (Worksheet) | Income Shares |
| Texas | Child Support Review Process Worksheet | Percentage |
| Virginia | DC-637 (Guideline Worksheet) | Income Shares |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using net instead of gross income (or vice versa) — Check which your state requires
- Forgetting income sources — Include all income: bonuses, overtime, rental, investment, etc.
- Incorrect deductions — Only deduct what your state allows; voluntary retirement contributions may not qualify
- Wrong number of overnights — Custody percentages must be accurate for shared custody calculations
- Missing additional expenses — Include health insurance premiums and childcare costs
- Using outdated schedules — Make sure you are using the current year's guidelines schedule
- Math errors — Double-check all calculations or use an online calculator
- Not signing under oath — Most worksheets require a sworn signature
Frequently Asked Questions
A child support worksheet is the official form used to calculate child support in your state. It is a step-by-step document where you enter each parent's income, deductions, and additional expenses. The worksheet applies your state's formula to determine the recommended support amount. Courts require a completed worksheet in most child support cases.
Your state's official child support worksheet is typically available from the family court clerk's office, the state court system website, the child support enforcement agency website, or legal aid organizations. Many states now offer fillable PDF forms that perform the calculations automatically.
The general steps are: (1) enter each parent's gross monthly income, (2) subtract allowable deductions to get adjusted income, (3) combine both parents' adjusted incomes, (4) look up the basic obligation from the guidelines schedule, (5) calculate each parent's percentage share, (6) add additional expenses (health insurance, childcare), and (7) determine the final support amount.
You do not legally need a lawyer to fill out a child support worksheet. Many parents complete them on their own, especially with the help of online calculators and court self-help resources. However, complex situations (self-employment, multiple income sources, disputes about income) benefit from legal guidance.
If you discover an error after filing, you can typically file an amended worksheet with the court. If the error is discovered before the order is finalized, simply correct and refile. If an order was based on incorrect information, it may be grounds for modification. Intentionally falsifying a worksheet is perjury.
The worksheet calculates the presumptive guideline amount, but the court can deviate from it based on specific circumstances. Judges have discretion to adjust the amount higher or lower with written findings. However, the worksheet amount creates a strong presumption and is the final order in the majority of cases.