How to Calculate Child Support Payments in Pennsylvania

Calculating your Pennsylvania child support payment helps you to plan for your financial needs. Child support in Pennsylvania is based on the combined income of both parents, as the child is entitled to the financial support she would have received if the parents were together. The support amount may deviate from the state guidelines if special circumstances apply, such as your child having a serious illness, per Rule 1910.16-5 of the Pennsylvania Code.

Instructions

1

Write down all of your sources of monthly income. Include sources that are considered in Pennsylvania for support: wages, rents, salaries, stock dividends, income from a trust or estate fund, Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, retirement and disability pay, and worker's compensation. Add all of the figures together and note the result as your gross income.

2

List all of the sources of the gross income for the other party in the support proceeding. Estimate where needed. Include all sources. Add the figures together. Mark the total as other gross income.

3

Write down the expenses you are allowed to subtract from your income under Pennsylvania law. List the following monthly amounts: federal and state income taxes, Social Security, Medicare, self-employment and non-voluntary retirement contribution amounts that are taken out of your check, and union dues. Court-ordered alimony or support for another child are adjustments to your income as well. Add the expenses together. Subtract the total from your gross income. Note the resulting figure as your net income.

4

List all the deductible expenses for the other party. Add the figures together. Subtract the figure from the other gross income total. Mark the result as other net income.

5

Add your net income to the other net income. Note the result as the "combined adjusted net income."

6

Visit the local child support collection unit. Request a copy of the child support guidelines.

7

Find the income range your combined adjusted net income falls into on the upper left of the table. The basic monthly support payment is to the right of the income range, under the column with the correct number of children the support is for. Write down the basic payment.

8

Divide your net income by the combined adjusted net income. Multiply the answer by 100; the result is your percentage of the net income. Multiply your income percentage by the total basic support amount. The resulting figure is your monthly payment.