Washington D.C. Child Support Calculator (2025)

How Washington D.C. Calculates Child Support

Washington D.C. uses the Income Shares model for child support calculations, governed by DC Code §16-916.01. This model is based on the principle that a child should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents were living together. The District's approach considers both parents' gross incomes to determine the total child support obligation, which is then divided in proportion to each parent's share of the combined income.

The D.C. child support guidelines establish a basic support obligation based on the parents' combined adjusted gross income and the number of children. This basic obligation represents the estimated cost of raising children at each income level and includes expenses for housing, food, transportation, clothing, and ordinary healthcare. Additional costs such as extraordinary medical expenses, work-related childcare, and health insurance premiums for the children are added to the basic obligation and divided proportionally between the parents.

The D.C. guidelines create a rebuttable presumption of the correct support amount. This means the court will apply the guideline calculation unless a party demonstrates that the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate under the specific circumstances of the case. Courts must make written findings explaining any deviation from the guidelines, ensuring transparency and consistency in child support determinations.

Child support matters in D.C. are handled by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Family Court Division. The Family Court was established in 2001 to provide specialized judicial handling of all family law matters, including child support, custody, paternity, and domestic relations cases. The D.C. Child Support Services Division (CSSD) of the Office of the Attorney General provides enforcement services and can assist parents in establishing, modifying, and collecting child support.

D.C. Child Support Schedule

The D.C. child support guidelines include a schedule of basic support obligations based on the parents' combined adjusted gross income. The following table shows selected amounts from the schedule. For income levels between the listed amounts, the court interpolates to determine the exact basic obligation.

The basic support obligation includes the costs that would typically be shared in an intact household: shelter, food, clothing, transportation, and ordinary medical expenses. It does not include extraordinary medical expenses, work-related childcare costs, or health insurance premiums for the children, which are calculated separately and added to the basic obligation.

Adjusted Gross Income

D.C. uses adjusted gross income for its guideline calculations. Adjusted gross income starts with gross income and allows deductions for pre-existing child support orders for other children, maintenance (alimony) actually paid under court order, and the cost of health insurance premiums for the parent (not the children). This adjusted figure more accurately reflects each parent's available income for child support purposes.

Income Types in D.C. Child Support

Washington D.C. defines gross income broadly for child support purposes under DC Code §16-916.01(b). All sources of income are considered, whether earned or unearned, taxable or non-taxable:

• Salaries and wages — All gross earnings from employment, including regular pay, overtime, and shift differentials
• Tips, commissions, and bonuses — Including incentive pay, holiday bonuses, and performance awards
• Self-employment income — Gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses, with courts scrutinizing claimed expenses
• Dividends and interest — Investment income from all sources including stocks, bonds, and savings accounts
• Rental income — Net income from real estate and property rentals
• Pensions and retirement income — Including distributions from 401(k), IRA, military retirement, and government pensions
• Social Security benefits — Retirement, disability, and survivor benefits
• Workers' compensation — Both temporary and permanent disability payments
• Unemployment compensation — District and federal unemployment insurance benefits
• Annuities and trust income — Distributions and allocable income from trusts and annuity contracts
• Capital gains — Net gains from the sale or exchange of assets
• Prizes and lottery winnings — All gambling and contest winnings
• Military allowances — Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and subsistence (BAS)

Excluded Income

Certain income sources are excluded from the D.C. child support calculation:

• Public assistance benefits (TANF, General Assistance)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Food stamps (SNAP benefits)
• Child support received for other children
• Foster care payments
• Income of a new spouse or domestic partner

Shared Physical Custody in D.C.

Washington D.C. applies a specific shared custody calculation when each parent has physical custody of the child for at least 35% of the year (approximately 128 days). This threshold recognizes that parents who have substantial custodial time are directly providing for the child's needs during that time, and the support obligation should reflect this contribution.

The shared custody calculation follows these steps under DC Code §16-916.01(o):

1. Step 1: Calculate each parent's adjusted gross income and determine their percentage of the combined income
2. Step 2: Look up the basic support obligation from the schedule based on combined adjusted gross income
3. Step 3: Multiply the basic support obligation by 1.5 to account for the increased cost of maintaining two households for the child
4. Step 4: Multiply each parent's share by the percentage of time the child spends with the other parent
5. Step 5: The parent with the higher resulting obligation pays the difference to the other parent

Why 35%?

D.C. chose the 35% threshold because it represents a meaningful level of custodial responsibility that warrants a different calculation method. At 35% of the year (approximately 128 days), the parent is regularly and substantially providing for the child's daily needs — meals, housing, supervision, and activities — rather than just having occasional visitation. This threshold is higher than some states (which use 25% or 30%) but reflects D.C.'s policy judgment about when shared custody adjustments are appropriate.

D.C. Superior Court Family Division

Child support matters in Washington D.C. are handled by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Family Court Division. The Family Court was established by the District of Columbia Family Court Act of 2001 and is designed to provide specialized, comprehensive handling of all family law matters.

Filing a Child Support Case

Parents can initiate a child support case in D.C. through two primary channels:

• Directly through the Family Court: File a complaint for child support with the Domestic Relations Branch of the Superior Court Family Division. This is appropriate when the parents were married or when paternity has already been established.
• Through the Child Support Services Division (CSSD): The CSSD, part of the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, can help establish paternity, locate absent parents, and file child support petitions on behalf of custodial parents. This service is available at no cost.

The Family Court is located at the H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Cases are assigned to Family Court judges who specialize in domestic relations matters, ensuring that child support determinations are made by judges with expertise in family law and the D.C. guidelines.

Self-Represented Litigants

D.C. provides significant resources for self-represented litigants (parents without attorneys). The Family Court Self-Help Center offers assistance with forms, explains court procedures, and can help parents prepare their financial documents for child support hearings. While the court cannot provide legal advice, these resources make the process more accessible for parents who cannot afford an attorney.

Deviation Factors in D.C.

Under DC Code §16-916.01(r), courts may deviate from the guideline amount when applying the standard calculation would be unjust or inappropriate. D.C. law identifies specific factors the court must consider when evaluating whether deviation is warranted:

• Extraordinary medical or dental expenses — Costs beyond what is covered by insurance, including ongoing treatment for chronic conditions, orthodontia, and mental health care
• Educational expenses — Private school tuition, tutoring, and special education costs that serve the child's best interest
• Seasonal or irregular income — When a parent's income fluctuates significantly, the court may adjust the calculation to reflect actual average earnings
• The child's financial resources — Trust funds, inheritance, or substantial assets belonging to the child
• Other children the parent supports — Support obligations for children from other relationships, including children living with the parent
• Agreements between the parties — Voluntary agreements that adequately provide for the child's needs, subject to court approval
• Tax consequences — The tax impact of the support arrangement on each parent
• Travel costs for visitation — Significant transportation expenses required for the non-custodial parent to exercise visitation rights
• Standard of living — The lifestyle the child would have enjoyed if the parents had remained together

When deviating from the guidelines, the court must make specific written findings on the record explaining why the guideline amount is unjust or inappropriate and how the deviated amount serves the child's best interest. This requirement ensures accountability and provides a clear record for any appellate review.

Imputed Income in D.C.

When a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, D.C. courts may impute income based on the parent's earning capacity. This prevents parents from artificially reducing their child support obligation by choosing not to work or by working below their capability.

D.C. courts consider the following factors when determining whether to impute income:

• The parent's employment history and demonstrated earning ability
• Education, training, and professional certifications
• Physical and mental health status
• Availability of employment in the D.C. metropolitan area (which has a robust job market)
• The parent's efforts to find employment
• Whether the parent is enrolled in education or training that will improve future earning capacity
• Age of the youngest child in the parent's care (caring for a very young child may justify reduced employment)

If the court determines that imputation is appropriate, income may be imputed at minimum wage (D.C. has one of the highest minimum wages in the nation) or at a higher level based on the parent's demonstrated earning capacity. D.C.'s high cost of living and relatively strong job market mean that courts may be more inclined to impute income at levels above minimum wage for parents with demonstrated work history and skills.

Healthcare and Childcare Costs

D.C.'s child support guidelines treat healthcare and childcare costs as add-ons to the basic support obligation. These expenses are divided between the parents in proportion to their respective shares of the combined adjusted gross income.

Health Insurance

The cost of providing health insurance for the child is added to the basic support obligation. The court determines which parent can provide coverage most cost-effectively, considering employer-sponsored insurance options, marketplace plans, and Medicaid eligibility. The incremental cost of adding the child to a parent's existing insurance plan (rather than the full premium) is used for the calculation.

Unreimbursed Medical Expenses

Unreimbursed medical, dental, and mental health expenses for the child are typically divided between the parents based on their income shares. D.C. courts commonly order that the first $250-$500 per year in unreimbursed medical expenses is absorbed by the custodial parent as part of the basic obligation, with amounts above that threshold divided proportionally.

Work-Related Childcare

The cost of childcare necessary for a parent to work or attend job training/education is added to the basic support obligation. D.C. has particularly high childcare costs compared to national averages, making this a significant component of many support calculations. Only the net childcare cost (after any tax credits or subsidies) is included in the calculation.

Modification Process in D.C.

Either parent can petition the D.C. Superior Court Family Division for a modification of child support when there has been a substantial and material change in circumstances. D.C. also allows modification when the existing order was established at least 3 years ago and the recalculated amount would differ significantly from the current order.

Grounds for Modification

• Substantial income change — Either parent's income has significantly increased or decreased
• Job loss or disability — Involuntary unemployment or onset of a disabling condition
• Change in custody arrangement — The physical custody schedule has substantially changed
• Change in child's needs — New medical, educational, or other needs requiring additional resources
• Change in healthcare or childcare costs — Significant increase or decrease in these add-on expenses
• 3-year review — At least 3 years since the last order and the new calculation produces a materially different amount
• Emancipation — A child has turned 21, graduated from high school, or otherwise become emancipated

Filing for Modification

To modify child support in D.C., file a Motion to Modify Child Support with the Superior Court Family Division. The filing should include updated financial information for both parents, documentation of the changed circumstances, and a proposed new support calculation under the current guidelines. The other parent must be served with the motion and has the opportunity to respond before the court holds a hearing.

Modifications in D.C. are generally effective from the date the motion is filed, not retroactively. This means that any support that accrued under the old order before the modification motion was filed cannot be reduced, even if circumstances had changed earlier. Parents should file promptly when circumstances change to avoid accumulating an obligation they cannot meet.

Frequently Asked Questions

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