Rhode Island Child Support Calculator
Uses the Income Shares model — RI Family Court combined gross income schedule
Table of Contents
How Rhode Island Calculates Child Support
Rhode Island uses the Income Shares model to calculate child support, administered through the Rhode Island Family Court. This approach is based on the fundamental principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if their parents lived together in one household. Rhode Island's child support guidelines were established under Rhode Island General Laws Title 15, Chapter 15-5, and are periodically reviewed and updated by the Family Court.
The calculation process begins with determining each parent's gross income. Both parents' gross incomes are then combined, and this combined figure is used to look up the basic child support obligation from the Rhode Island guidelines schedule. The schedule specifies a dollar amount for each income level and number of children, reflecting economic studies on the cost of raising children at various household income levels. Each parent's share of the basic obligation is proportional to their share of the combined income.
Rhode Island's Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over child support matters in the state. The state's Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), a division of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, administers the child support enforcement program. Rhode Island processes approximately 40,000 child support cases and collects over $100 million in child support payments annually. The state has been recognized for its efficient collection rates compared to other states of similar size.
Income Shares Model
Rhode Island combines both parents' gross incomes and uses a schedule to determine the total child support obligation, then splits it proportionally.
Family Court Jurisdiction
All child support matters in Rhode Island are handled through the Family Court system, which has specialized judges and procedures for family law matters.
Gross Income Basis
Rhode Island uses gross income (before taxes) rather than net income as the starting point for calculations, with specific allowable deductions.
Periodic Review
Rhode Island reviews its child support guidelines every four years to ensure they reflect current economic conditions and the actual cost of raising children.
The Rhode Island Child Support Formula Explained
Rhode Island's child support formula follows the Income Shares methodology. The calculation estimates what parents would have spent on their children if they had maintained a single household, then allocates that cost between the parents based on their respective incomes.
BSO = Basic Support Obligation from schedule, NCP% = Non-Custodial Parent's income share percentage, Add-ons = proportional share of health insurance, childcare, and extraordinary expenses
Step 1: Determine Each Parent's Gross Income
Gross income in Rhode Island includes all earned and unearned income before taxes. This encompasses wages, salaries, tips, commissions, bonuses, overtime, self-employment income, rental income, dividends, interest, pensions, Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, spousal support received, trust income, and capital gains. From gross income, Rhode Island allows deductions for pre-existing child support orders for other children and mandatory retirement contributions.
Step 2: Combine Incomes and Look Up BSO
After calculating each parent's gross income, the incomes are combined. The combined gross income is used with the Rhode Island child support schedule to find the Basic Support Obligation (BSO). The schedule covers combined monthly gross incomes from $0 to over $25,000 and provides amounts for one through six or more children. The BSO represents the estimated total cost of raising the children at the parents' combined income level.
Step 3: Calculate Each Parent's Proportional Share
Each parent's percentage share equals their gross income divided by the combined gross income. For instance, if the non-custodial parent earns $5,000 monthly and the custodial parent earns $3,000 monthly, the non-custodial parent's share is 62.5% ($5,000 / $8,000). The non-custodial parent's base obligation is then 62.5% of the BSO.
Step 4: Add Health Insurance, Childcare, and Extraordinary Expenses
Rhode Island adds the cost of the children's health insurance premiums, work-related childcare expenses, and any extraordinary expenses (such as special medical needs or educational costs) to the basic obligation. These additional costs are divided between parents in proportion to their income shares. The parent who pays these expenses directly receives a credit, while the other parent's share is added to their support obligation.
Step 5: Shared Custody Adjustments
While Rhode Island does not have a specific statutory formula for shared custody, the Family Court may adjust the calculated amount when both parents have significant physical custody time. Courts typically consider a shared custody arrangement when the non-custodial parent has more than approximately 30% of overnights (about 110 nights per year). In such cases, the court may apply a reduction to reflect the direct expenses each parent incurs during their custody time.
Income Considered in Rhode Island Child Support
Rhode Island takes a comprehensive approach to determining income for child support purposes. The goal is to capture the full financial picture of each parent to ensure a fair support calculation.
Types of Income Included
- Employment income: Wages, salaries, tips, commissions, bonuses, overtime pay, and deferred compensation
- Self-employment income: Net earnings from business operations after reasonable and necessary business expenses
- Investment income: Dividends, interest, capital gains, rental income, and royalties
- Government benefits: Social Security (retirement, disability, and survivors), unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, and veterans' benefits
- Retirement income: Pension payments, annuities, IRA distributions, and 401(k) distributions
- Other income: Alimony or spousal support received, trust income, lottery winnings, prizes, and severance pay
Imputed Income
Rhode Island Family Court may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. The court examines the parent's education, training, work experience, health, and the availability of jobs in their area. If the court finds that a parent is capable of earning more than they currently earn, income may be attributed to them at a level consistent with their earning capacity. This prevents parents from deliberately lowering their income to reduce child support obligations.
Self-Employment Considerations
Self-employment income receives special scrutiny in Rhode Island. The court looks at gross receipts minus legitimate and necessary business expenses. Courts may disallow excessive depreciation, personal expenses disguised as business costs, and non-cash deductions that do not actually reduce the parent's available income. Tax returns for the previous two to three years are typically examined to establish a reliable income figure for self-employed parents.
Rhode Island Child Support Schedule (2025)
The Rhode Island child support schedule provides the basic support obligation based on the parents' combined gross monthly income and the number of children. Below is a representative sample of the current schedule.
| Combined Monthly Gross Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | 4 Children | 5 Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $193 | $291 | $348 | $398 | $436 |
| $2,000 | $354 | $535 | $639 | $731 | $801 |
| $3,000 | $487 | $736 | $879 | $1,005 | $1,101 |
| $4,000 | $604 | $912 | $1,090 | $1,246 | $1,365 |
| $5,000 | $708 | $1,069 | $1,278 | $1,461 | $1,600 |
| $6,000 | $800 | $1,208 | $1,444 | $1,651 | $1,809 |
| $8,000 | $960 | $1,450 | $1,733 | $1,981 | $2,171 |
| $10,000 | $1,098 | $1,658 | $1,981 | $2,265 | $2,482 |
| $15,000 | $1,362 | $2,058 | $2,459 | $2,812 | $3,081 |
| $20,000 | $1,568 | $2,369 | $2,831 | $3,237 | $3,547 |
| $25,000 | $1,736 | $2,623 | $3,134 | $3,584 | $3,927 |
Note: This table shows approximate guideline amounts. The actual Rhode Island schedule includes more detailed income increments. Consult the Rhode Island Family Court or Office of Child Support Services for the most current schedule.
Deviations from Rhode Island Guidelines
Rhode Island Family Court recognizes that the standard guidelines may not produce an equitable result in every situation. The court has authority to deviate from the guideline amount when there are compelling reasons to do so.
Grounds for Deviation
- Extraordinary medical expenses: When a child has chronic health conditions or disabilities requiring costs significantly beyond normal
- Educational needs: Private school tuition, special education costs, or college preparation expenses
- Very high combined income: When the combined income exceeds the top of the guidelines schedule and the standard formula would produce an unreasonably large amount
- Very low income: When the obligor parent cannot meet basic needs after paying the guideline amount
- Travel costs for visitation: When parents live far apart and transportation costs are significant
- Seasonal employment: When a parent's income varies substantially throughout the year
- Shared physical custody: When the non-custodial parent has the children for more than 30% of overnights
- Other support obligations: When a parent supports children from other relationships not covered by existing orders
Burden of Proof
The party requesting a deviation from the Rhode Island guidelines bears the burden of proving that the deviation is warranted. The court must make specific written findings explaining why the guideline amount is inappropriate and how the deviation amount serves the best interests of the child. The deviation cannot result in an amount that fails to meet the basic needs of the child.
How to Modify Child Support in Rhode Island
Rhode Island allows modification of child support orders when circumstances have materially changed since the last order was entered. The modification process ensures that support amounts remain fair and appropriate over time.
Grounds for Modification
- A substantial and continuing change in either parent's income (typically 10-15% or more)
- A change in custody or visitation arrangements
- A child reaching the age of emancipation (18, or 21 if in college in RI)
- Significant changes in health insurance costs or availability
- Changes in childcare expenses
- A parent becoming disabled or seriously ill
- Changes in the child support guidelines themselves
- Three or more years since the last order or review
The Modification Process
To modify child support in Rhode Island, you can either request a review through the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) or file a motion to modify with the Rhode Island Family Court. The OCSS handles administrative reviews and can recommend modifications for cases under its jurisdiction. For cases not managed by OCSS, or for more complex modifications, filing a motion with the Family Court is necessary. It is important to note that modifications are effective from the date the motion is filed, not retroactively. Past-due amounts under the existing order cannot be reduced.
Emancipation in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, child support generally continues until the child reaches age 18. However, if the child is a full-time student at an accredited educational institution, support may continue until age 21. The court may also consider extending support for a child with a disability. When a child emancipates, the non-custodial parent should file for modification rather than simply stopping payments, as the existing order remains in effect until formally modified.
Child Support Enforcement in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has comprehensive enforcement mechanisms to ensure child support is paid. The Office of Child Support Services works aggressively to collect payments and enforce court orders.
Enforcement Tools
- Income withholding: Automatic wage garnishment is standard for all child support orders in Rhode Island
- Tax refund intercept: Both federal and state tax refunds can be seized to pay past-due support
- License suspension: Driver's licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses can be suspended
- Credit reporting: Delinquent support is reported to credit bureaus
- Bank account seizure: Financial accounts can be levied to satisfy arrears
- Property liens: Liens can be placed on real estate and personal property
- Passport denial: Federal law allows passport denial for those owing more than $2,500
- Contempt proceedings: Willful non-payment can result in contempt of court, fines, and incarceration
- Lottery intercept: Rhode Island can intercept lottery winnings to pay child support arrears
Interstate Cases
Rhode Island participates in the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), which facilitates enforcement of child support orders across state lines. If either parent relocates to another state, the original Rhode Island order remains enforceable, and the OCSS can work with other states' child support agencies to locate parents, establish paternity, and enforce payment obligations.