Rhode Island Child Support
Estimate for Rhode Island
Rhode Island uses the Income Shares model.
Rhode Island 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: Rhode Island Family Court Administrative Order 23-02 (effective July 1, 2023), Schedule of Basic Support Obligations, as published by the RI Office of Child Support Services. Combined monthly income; divide by 4.3333 for the weekly order. (2023)
View calculation breakdown
| Combined parental income | $9,000 |
|---|---|
| Total basic obligation (schedule) | $1,475 |
| Obligor income share | 55.6% |
| Obligor basic obligation | $819 |
| Estimated monthly support | $819 |
How the basic obligation splits between parents
Estimated monthly support by number of children
Typical amounts in Rhode Island
| Scenario | Obligor income/mo | Other parent | Est. monthly support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower earner | $2,500 | $4,000/mo | $371/mo |
| Typical case | $5,500 | $4,000/mo | $559/mo |
| Higher earner | $9,000 | $4,000/mo | $668/mo |
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island calculates support
Rhode Island uses the Income Shares Model under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.2 and Family Court Administrative Order 23-02 (effective July 1, 2023). Both parents' adjusted gross monthly incomes are combined and matched to the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations; the result is split by income share and divided by 4.3333 for the weekly order. A self-support reserve (~$1,333/month) is built into the schedule. Parenting-time adjustment applies at 128+ overnights.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case in Rhode Island
- Determine each parent's gross weekly income and multiply by 4.3333 to get monthly.
- Subtract allowed deductions (taxes, the child's health insurance, prior support, dependent allowance, work childcare) to get adjusted income.
- Combine both adjusted incomes and find each parent's percentage share.
- Look up the basic obligation on the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations by combined income and number of children.
- Add health insurance and childcare, split by income share; apply the 128+ overnight parenting-time adjustment if qualifying.
- Divide the monthly amount by 4.3333 for the weekly order; file Form FC-78.
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: Combined adjusted gross monthly income $4,000; one child. Schedule basic obligation ~$724/month.
Walk-through: Obligor earns 60%, so pays 60% x $724 = about $434/month (or about $100/week). For two children the schedule amount is ~$1,113, so the obligor pays about $668/month.
Takeaway: Rhode Island's schedule gives the total basic obligation; the paying parent covers only their income-share percentage.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://ocss.ri.gov/ · https://recordinglaw.com/us-laws/united-states-child-support-laws/rhode-island-child-support-laws-2 · https://legalclarity.org/how-is-child-support-calculated-in-rhode-island · https://ocss.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur511/files/documents/RI_CS_Guideline_Revision_2018.pdf