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State Guide · Minnesota
Child Support in Minnesota: How It's Calculated, Modified & Enforced
A plain-English guide to Minnesota child support — the guideline model, how the number is computed, the modification and enforcement process, and where to find the official worksheet.
Direct answer
Parental Income for Determining Child Support: gross income minus deductions allowed for nonjoint children in the home and other court-ordered support. It is the income figure used in the guideline calculation.
Minnesota uses the Income Shares model on both parents' gross income, adjusted to 'Parental Income for Determining Child Support' (PICS = gross minus deductions for nonjoint children and other court-ordered support). The statutory guideline table (Minn. Stat. § 518A.35) sets the basic obligation by combined PICS and number of children; medical and childcare support are added proportionally. The guideline applies up to $20,000 combined monthly PICS (higher amounts are capped at that level unless a child has special needs). A self-support reserve (about 120% of the federal poverty level) protects the obligor.
Open the Minnesota child support calculator to see your own number under the current guideline: Minnesota calculator.
How a support order is established in Minnesota
Establish parentage if needed (Recognition of Parentage or court order), then file with the county child support office or the district court.
Both parents provide financial information; the county calculates each parent\'s PICS (gross income minus allowed deductions for other children/support).
Use the online calculator (childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us) or the worksheets: the § 518A.35 table gives basic support, then medical and childcare support are added by income percentage, with a parenting-expense adjustment for overnights.
The guideline amount is a rebuttable presumption. A judge or magistrate may deviate only with findings addressing the child\'s and parents\' needs.
The order is entered, generally with income withholding.
To modify: file a motion; a change of at least 20% (or certain fixed dollar amounts) from the current order generally triggers a modification, or request a review every few years.
Worked examples
Illustrative example — one child, combined PICS $6,000 — Parent A earns $3,600/month; Parent B earns $2,400/month. One child. Combined PICS = $6,000/month. Under Minn. Stat. § 518A.35, combined PICS of $6,000 with one child equals $988 basic support (from the statutory table). Parent A (60%) share = $593; Parent B (40%) share = $395. Childcare and medical support are added and divided by the same percentages. A parenting-time overnight adjustment can reduce the obligation. Minnesota uses gross-based PICS and a statutory table; each parent pays their income percentage of the combined obligation, with a self-support reserve protecting the payor.
Illustrative example — self-support reserve — A low-income obligor\'s guideline share plus living needs would drop them below the poverty-based reserve. If the obligor\'s child-support share plus the self-support reserve (about 120% of the federal poverty guideline for one person, ~$1,565/month) would exceed their income, the obligation is reduced so they keep at least the reserve. Minnesota will not order support that leaves the payor below a basic subsistence floor.
Modifying or enforcing an order
Orders in Minnesota can be modified when there is a substantial change in income, custody, or circumstances. Use the modification eligibility check and the cross-state comparison tool to see how a move would change the outcome. Enforcement runs through the state agency and can include income withholding and contempt proceedings.
Minnesota Child Support Calculator (DHS) — https://childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us/
Minnesota Child Support Guidelines overview (Legislative Reference Library) — https://www.leg.state.mn.us/lrl/guides/guides?issue=childsupport
What is PICS?
Parental Income for Determining Child Support: gross income minus deductions allowed for nonjoint children in the home and other court-ordered support. It is the income figure used in the guideline calculation.
Is there an income cap?
The guideline table applies up to $20,000 combined monthly PICS. Above that, the presumed obligation is capped at the $20,000 level; a court may order more only for a child with a disability or demonstrated special need.
How does parenting time affect the amount?
A parenting-expense adjustment reduces basic support based on overnights (or overnight equivalents), recognizing the costs a parent incurs during their parenting time. At very high parenting time (over 55%), there is a rebuttable presumption of a $0 basic obligation.
What is the self-support reserve?
About 120% of the federal poverty guideline for one person (roughly $1,565/month), subtracted from the obligor\'s PICS so they retain a minimum to support themselves.
When does support end?
Generally when the child turns 18, or until 19 if still attending high school, and may continue in some cases under the statute.
Minnesota child support calculator
Estimate for Minnesota
Minnesota uses the Income Shares model.
Enter the paying parent’s gross (pre-tax) monthly income.
Minnesota Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Generated September 22, 2026 · Model: Income Shares · Income basis: gross · Statute: Minn. Stat. § 518A.34
This is an informal planning estimate, not a court worksheet and not legal advice. Confirm the current guideline with the state child-support agency or a licensed family-law attorney.
Estimated monthly support$908.33per month
Official schedule: Minnesota Statutes § 518A.35, Subd. 2 Basic Support Guideline (PICS). Income basis = Combined monthly Parental Income for Determining Child Support (gross). (2024)
Annual estimate$10,899.96
Effective rate18.2%
MethodIncome Shares: combined income → official Minnesota schedule → split by income share (+ add-ons, parenting-time credit)
View calculation breakdown
Combined parental income
$9,000
Total basic obligation (schedule)
$1,635
Obligor income share
55.6%
Obligor basic obligation
$908
Estimated monthly support
$908
How the basic obligation splits between parents
56%
44%
Paying parent: $908 Other parent: $727
Each parent pays their proportional share of the combined basic obligation.
Estimated monthly support by number of children
At the incomes you entered, for 2 children.
This article is general education, not legal or tax advice. For your exact number, open your state calculator.
Not legal or financial advice. This estimate follows the state’s statutory guideline formula but cannot capture every factor a court considers (health insurance, childcare, prior orders, deviations, imputed income).
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