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State Guide · Pennsylvania
Child Support in Pennsylvania: How It's Calculated, Modified & Enforced
A plain-English guide to Pennsylvania child support — the guideline model, how the number is computed, the modification and enforcement process, and where to find the official worksheet.
Direct answer
Net income. The court starts from gross income and subtracts only specific deductions: federal/state/local income taxes, FICA, unemployment tax, mandatory (not voluntary) retirement, union dues, and alimony paid to the other party.
Pennsylvania uses the Income Shares model under Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16 (Basic Child Support Schedule at 1910.16-3), based on each parent's MONTHLY NET income (gross minus federal/state/local income taxes, FICA, unemployment tax, mandatory retirement, union dues, and alimony paid to the other party). The schedule covers combined net incomes up to $30,000/month; above that, a high-income formula applies (e.g., one child = $2,839 + 8.6% of net income above $30,000). A substantial or shared physical custody reduction applies when the obligor has 40%+ overnights. The 2026 guidelines set a self-support reserve of $1,255/month; a nominal $10/month order applies at or below it.
Open the Pennsylvania child support calculator to see your own number under the current guideline: Pennsylvania calculator.
How a support order is established in Pennsylvania
File with the Domestic Relations Section of the Court of Common Pleas in the appropriate county (filing a new case costs about $40.25, added to the obligor\'s balance; no fee to file a modification).
Both parents exchange financial information (Income and Expense Statements, pay stubs, tax returns) and the case goes to a support conference with a conference officer.
The conference officer applies the guidelines (net income, schedule, add-ons) and recommends an amount; either party may agree or request a hearing within 20 days.
A support master or judge enters the order; the guideline amount is a rebuttable presumption and deviations require written findings under 1910.16-5.
Payments are collected and distributed through the state support system (income withholding is standard).
Request a modification on a substantial change in circumstances; guidelines are reviewed every four years (most recent review effective Jan. 6, 2021; 2026 update).
Worked examples
Illustrative example — high-income formula — Parents\' combined monthly net income is $35,000 with one child. The obligor earns $21,000 (60%) and the other parent $14,000 (40%). Because combined net exceeds $30,000, the high-income formula applies: one child = $2,839 + 8.6% × ($35,000 − $30,000) = $2,839 + $430 = $3,269/month. The obligor pays 60%: 0.60 × $3,269 = $1,961/month, plus their share of add-ons. Above $30,000 combined net monthly income, Pennsylvania uses a statutory percentage formula rather than the schedule, still split proportionally.
Illustrative example — shared custody reduction (40%+ overnights) — Obligor net income $5,000, other parent $2,300, two children; combined obligation is $1,701. The obligor has 40% of overnights (146/year). Under the basic formula the obligor\'s share is 68% = $1,157. With 40%+ overnights, the Part II shared-custody formula reduces the obligor\'s percentage share to 58% = $987. At 50/50 overnights the share drops to 48% = $816. When the obligor has 40% or more overnights, Pennsylvania presumes a reduction in the basic obligation to reflect their direct costs.
Modifying or enforcing an order
Orders in Pennsylvania 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.
Official sources
Pennsylvania Child Support Program & Estimator (DHS) — https://www.humanservices.dhs.pa.gov/CSWS/CSWS_controller.aspx?SelectionIdBottom=7&PageId=CSWS/support_estimator_disclaimer.ascx&Preference=Desktop&Owner=Client
Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines (Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16) — https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol51/51-36/1453.html
Is Pennsylvania gross or net income?
Net income. The court starts from gross income and subtracts only specific deductions: federal/state/local income taxes, FICA, unemployment tax, mandatory (not voluntary) retirement, union dues, and alimony paid to the other party.
What counts as a deviation?
Under Pa.R.C.P. 1910.16-5, factors include unusual needs/fixed obligations, other support duties, the child\'s assets, uninsured medical costs, extra parenting time beyond typical visitation, and the parties\' standard of living. Written findings are required.
How does shared custody affect the amount?
If the obligor has 40% or more overnights, a rebuttable presumption arises that the basic obligation should be reduced using the Part II formula.
What is the self-support reserve?
For 2026, $1,255/month. If paying the full guideline amount would drop the obligor\'s net income below that, the order is reduced; at or below it a nominal $10/month order is typical.
Where do I apply?
Through the Domestic Relations Section of the local Court of Common Pleas; the DHS website hosts an official (estimate-only) Child Support Estimator.
Pennsylvania child support calculator
Estimate for Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania uses the Income Shares model.
Enter the paying parent’s net (after-tax/deductions) monthly income.
Pennsylvania Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Generated September 22, 2026 · Model: Income Shares · Income basis: net · Statute: 23 Pa.C.S. § 4322
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$1,195.56per month
Official schedule: 231 Pa. Code 1910.16-3 (Basic Child Support Schedule). Values are the PRE-AMENDMENT schedule published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, Doc. No. 25-1132a (Administrative Order No. 5 of 2025, Vol. 55 Issue 34, Aug. 23, 2025) - the version explicitly marked 'to be deleted' (effective 2024; the 2025 amendment takes effect later). (2024)
Annual estimate$14,346.72
Effective rate23.9%
MethodIncome Shares: combined income → official Pennsylvania schedule → split by income share (+ add-ons, parenting-time credit)
View calculation breakdown
Combined parental income
$9,000
Total basic obligation (schedule)
$2,152
Obligor income share
55.6%
Obligor basic obligation
$1,196
Estimated monthly support
$1,196
How the basic obligation splits between parents
56%
44%
Paying parent: $1,196 Other parent: $956
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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