Arizona Child Support
Estimate for Arizona
Arizona uses the Income Shares model.
Arizona Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Paying parent income: $5,000.00/mo · Other parent: $4,000.00/mo · Overnights: 0/yr · Child care: $0.00/mo · Health ins.: $0.00/mo · Children: 2
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.
Official schedule: Arizona Child Support Guidelines, Schedule of Basic Support Obligations (A.R.S. § 25-320, eff 2022-01-01) (2022)
View calculation breakdown
| Combined parental income | $9,000 |
|---|---|
| Total basic obligation (schedule) | $1,756 |
| Obligor income share | 55.6% |
| Obligor basic obligation | $976 |
| Estimated monthly support | $976 |
How the basic obligation splits between parents
Estimated monthly support by number of children
Typical amounts in Arizona
| Scenario | Obligor income/mo | Other parent | Est. monthly support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower earner | $2,500 | $4,000/mo | $382/mo |
| Typical case | $5,500 | $4,000/mo | $709/mo |
| Higher earner | $9,000 | $4,000/mo | $1,028/mo |
Arizona uses the income shares model on gross income. Your numbers will differ — run the calculator above with your own inputs. Estimates are educational, not a court order.
§ How Arizona calculates support
Arizona uses the Income Shares Model adopted by the Supreme Court through Administrative Orders (current guidelines effective Jan. 1, 2022). Both parents' adjusted gross incomes are combined and matched to the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations; each parent pays a share proportional to income, with health insurance, childcare, and extraordinary costs added. Notable features: a parenting-time credit (reduces the obligation as overnights rise, up to 50% at 164+ days), a self-support reserve (80% of state minimum-wage earnings, about $2,100/mo in 2026), an older-child adjustment (+10% for age 12+), and Social Security derivative-benefit credits.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case in Arizona
- Apply with the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) within DES, or file a petition in Superior Court.
- Establish paternity if needed (voluntary acknowledgment or court order).
- Use the official Arizona Child Support Calculator / worksheet, entering both parents' income, parenting time, and add-ons.
- The court applies the guidelines and enters a support order (deviations require written findings).
- Payments go through the Support Payment Clearinghouse (income withholding).
- Request a review/modification on a substantial change (e.g., ~20% income change) or every three years.
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: Parent A adjusted gross $3,600 (60%), Parent B $2,400 (40%); two children.
Walk-through: Combined $6,000 → schedule basic obligation ≈ $1,429/month. Parent A's 60% share ≈ $857/month before parenting-time and add-on adjustments.
Takeaway: Arizona splits the schedule amount by each parent's income percentage; parenting time and insurance/childcare adjust the final number.
Scenario: Same incomes, but the paying parent has 150 parenting days per year.
Walk-through: The parenting-time table reduces the basic obligation by about 32.5% before splitting; Parent A's payment drops accordingly.
Takeaway: More overnights mean a larger parenting-time credit in Arizona.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://www.azcourts.gov/familylaw/Child-Support-Family-Law-Information/Arizona-Child-Support-Guidelines · https://www.azcourts.gov/familylaw/Child-Support-Family-Law-Information/About-the-Child-Support-Calculator · https://des.az.gov/services/child-and-family/child-support · https://legalclarity.org/how-much-is-child-support-in-az-factors-amounts