What Information is Used in the South Carolina Child Support Calculator?

Child support is often a point of dispute among parents who divorce, separate or live apart without ever having married. In many cases, the parties in a child support matter are able to settle on payment terms. Typically if one parent has primary physical custody of a son or daughter, their co-parent will provide child support to help meet the youth’s needs. 

While the judge always has final say on a child support order, terms are often set based on the result that is generated thorough South Carolina’s child support calculator. By entering specific information relating to the parties and finances, a parent can see a guideline amount that might be identical or very close to the ultimate result. Factors that are included within the calculator formula include the following:

• Parental income — The state’s “income shares” model means that the base child support responsibility is derived from each party’s percentage of the total parental income. Therefore, if one parent earns twice as much as the other, they will be required to provide for two-thirds of the overall child-rearing expenses, before adjustments are made. All sources of income, including wages, bonuses, commissions and self-employment earnings, are considered. Alimony payments between the parties, if any, are also a factor. 

• Number of children — As the number of children covered increases, so does the child support obligation. 

• Custody and parenting time — It is presumed that when a child is staying in one parent’s residence, that parent is providing for them financially. When custody is shared, the calculator considers how many nights the youth spends in each home to make the child support guideline amount more fair. 

• Health insurance premiums and medical expenses — South Carolina requires that child support orders account for the cost of health insurance and unreimbursed medical expenses. The parent providing health insurance for the child may receive a credit toward their support obligation, while both parents may share responsibility for additional medical costs.

• Childcare costs — Tuition for daycare and after-school care is factored into the child support calculation. These costs are typically divided between the parents in proportion to their incomes.

In some cases, the court may consider extraordinary expenses, such as costs related to a child’s special needs, education or extracurricular activities. An experienced child support attorney can advise as to whether the circumstances are likely to support a deviation from the standard guidelines.

McManaway Law, LLC in Greenville assists Upstate South Carolina parents with all types of child support issues including modification and enforcement actions. Please call 864-428-8912 or contact me online for a consultation.