Arkansas child support is calculated using the income shares model under Administrative Order No. 10, combining both parents' gross monthly incomes and applying the Family Support Chart to determine each parent's proportional share of the support obligation. The chart covers combined incomes up to $30,000 per month, with courts exercising discretion above that threshold. Parents with at least 141 overnights annually may qualify for adjusted support amounts.
Key Facts: Arkansas Child Support
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Income Shares (Administrative Order No. 10) |
| Income Type Used | Gross income (before taxes/deductions) |
| Maximum Chart Income | $30,000/month combined |
| Custody Adjustment Threshold | 141+ overnights per year (40% parenting time) |
| Support Duration | Until age 18, or 19 if still in high school |
| Modification Threshold | 20% or $100 change in income |
| Self-Support Reserve | $900/month minimum gross income |
| Annual Service Fee | $36/year paid by noncustodial parent |
How the Arkansas Child Support Calculator Works
The Arkansas child support calculator uses the income shares model established by Administrative Order No. 10, effective July 1, 2020, which replaced the previous percentage-of-income model. Under this system, courts determine each parent's percentage of combined gross income, then apply that percentage to the basic child support obligation from the Family Support Chart. For example, if the combined monthly gross income is $8,000 and Parent A earns $5,000 (62.5%) while Parent B earns $3,000 (37.5%), each parent pays their proportional share of the chart amount.
The official Arkansas Courts calculator generates the Child Support Worksheet required by courts. This worksheet calculates the presumptive support amount that judges use as the starting point for orders. Under Ark. Code § 9-14-106, the chart amount is presumed correct unless evidence shows it would be unjust or inappropriate.
Arkansas courts base all calculations on gross income rather than net income. Gross income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, disability payments, pensions, interest, dividends, and any other recurring monetary benefit before taxes, retirement contributions, or insurance deductions are removed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Calculator
Using the Arkansas child support calculator requires gathering specific financial documentation from both parents before beginning the calculation process. Courts require the Child Support Worksheet to accompany all support orders, making accurate completion essential for proper legal proceedings. The following steps walk through the complete calculation process under Administrative Order No. 10.
Step 1: Determine Each Parent's Gross Monthly Income
Calculate each parent's gross monthly income by adding all income sources before any deductions. Include wages and salaries from employment, self-employment income, commissions and bonuses, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, disability benefits, Social Security benefits, pension and retirement income, interest and dividends, rental income, and alimony received from a previous marriage. Do not deduct taxes, health insurance premiums, or retirement contributions at this stage.
For self-employed parents, gross income equals total receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses. Under Administrative Order No. 10, depreciation that exceeds actual cash expenditures should be added back to income. Courts may also add back excessive business expenses that appear designed to reduce reported income.
Step 2: Add Both Incomes to Find Combined Monthly Income
Add Parent A's gross monthly income to Parent B's gross monthly income. This combined figure determines which row of the Family Support Chart applies to your calculation. The chart covers combined incomes from $800 per month up to $30,000 per month. For combined incomes exceeding $30,000 monthly, courts exercise discretion in setting support amounts above the chart maximum.
Step 3: Calculate Each Parent's Income Percentage
Divide each parent's individual gross income by the combined gross income to find their percentage share. If Parent A earns $4,500 per month and Parent B earns $3,000 per month, the combined income is $7,500. Parent A's percentage is $4,500 divided by $7,500, which equals 60%. Parent B's percentage is $3,000 divided by $7,500, which equals 40%. These percentages determine how the support obligation is divided between parents.
Step 4: Find the Basic Support Obligation on the Family Support Chart
Locate the combined monthly income amount on the Family Support Chart and cross-reference with the number of children requiring support. For combined monthly income of $7,500 with two children, the basic support obligation is approximately $1,357 per month. This amount represents what both parents together should spend on basic child-rearing costs based on economic studies of intact families at similar income levels.
Step 5: Add Additional Child-Rearing Expenses
Under Ark. Code Title 9, Appendix Administrative Order 10, Section IV, three categories of additional expenses must be added to the basic obligation: health insurance premiums paid for the child, extraordinary medical expenses exceeding $250 per child per year, and work-related childcare costs. Add the monthly cost of these expenses to the basic support obligation. Each parent then pays their percentage share of this total.
Health insurance is considered reasonable if dependent coverage costs do not exceed 5% of the providing parent's gross income. If the premium exceeds 5%, courts may allocate only the reasonable portion to the support calculation.
Step 6: Apply Custody Adjustments If Applicable
Arkansas courts may adjust the standard calculation when the noncustodial parent has at least 141 overnights per year with the child, representing approximately 40% of annual parenting time. Under Administrative Order No. 10, extended visitation provisions allow judges to consider the income disparity between parents and the actual expenses each parent incurs during their parenting time when deciding whether an adjustment is warranted.
Understanding the Family Support Chart
The Family Support Chart is the core reference document for Arkansas child support calculations, listing basic support obligations for combined monthly incomes from $800 to $30,000 and for one to six children. The chart amounts are based on economic research measuring what intact families at various income levels typically spend on children for food, housing, transportation, clothing, and basic educational and recreational expenses.
The chart uses a stepped progression where support obligations increase as combined income rises, though not proportionally. For one child with combined income of $5,000 per month, the basic obligation is approximately $819. For the same income level with two children, the obligation increases to approximately $1,188. Three children at $5,000 combined income yields approximately $1,373 in basic support.
For combined monthly incomes at the chart maximum of $30,000, the basic support obligation for one child is approximately $1,930. Two children at that income level require approximately $2,867 in basic support, while three children require approximately $3,361. These amounts represent the base before adding health insurance, medical expenses, and childcare costs.
Income Types Included in Calculations
Arkansas Administrative Order No. 10, Section III defines gross income broadly to capture most regular sources of monetary benefit. Courts include employment wages and salaries, overtime pay, commissions, tips, and bonuses as primary income sources. Self-employment income, partnership distributions, and business profits also count toward gross income after subtracting legitimate business expenses.
Unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, disability insurance payments, and Social Security disability benefits are included in gross income calculations. Retirement benefits, pension payments, and annuity distributions count as income regardless of whether the parent has reached retirement age. Investment income from interest, dividends, capital gains, and rental properties is added to the calculation.
Certain income sources receive special treatment. Child support received for children from other relationships is not included in gross income. However, child support paid for children from prior relationships may be deducted from gross income before calculating the current obligation. Alimony received counts as income, while alimony paid to a former spouse may be deducted.
Imputed Income for Unemployed or Underemployed Parents
Arkansas courts may impute income to parents who are voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, meaning the court calculates support based on what the parent could earn rather than actual earnings. Under Administrative Order No. 10, there is a rebuttable presumption that both parents can work full-time or earn full-time income. Courts apply this presumption when a parent appears to be intentionally reducing income to lower support obligations.
When imputing income, courts consider the parent's employment history, job skills, educational background, literacy level, age, physical and mental health, criminal record, and other barriers to employment. Courts also examine the local job market, availability of employers willing to hire the parent, and prevailing wage levels in the community. A parent with a college degree and 15 years of professional experience who claims to only be able to find minimum wage work would likely have higher income imputed.
Incarceration or involuntary hospitalization does not constitute voluntary unemployment under Arkansas law. Courts may also decline to impute income when a parent cannot work full-time due to caring for young children or disabled children in the home. The parent seeking imputation bears the burden of proving the other parent is voluntarily underemployed or hiding income.
The Self-Support Reserve
Arkansas applies a self-support reserve when the paying parent's gross monthly income falls below $900. This reserve ensures that very low-income parents retain enough income to meet their own basic subsistence needs. The $900 threshold is based on federal poverty guidelines adjusted for Arkansas's cost of living, representing approximately 100% of the poverty level for a single individual.
When the payor parent's income falls within the shaded area of the Family Support Chart (incomes below the self-support threshold), the calculation changes. Courts use only the payor parent's income rather than combined parental income to determine the basic obligation. Additionally, the add-on expenses for health insurance, extraordinary medical costs, and childcare are not included in the calculation. This prevents support orders that would push very low-income parents below poverty level.
The self-support reserve applies only to the calculation formula. It does not eliminate the parent's obligation to support their child. Courts may still order the minimum support amount shown on the chart for the lowest income levels, and the paying parent remains responsible for any support ordered even during periods of reduced income.
Adjustments for Shared Custody Arrangements
Arkansas courts recognize that standard support calculations may not apply fairly when both parents share substantial parenting time. When the noncustodial parent has at least 141 overnights per year (approximately 40% of the time), courts may adjust the support amount to reflect that parent's direct expenditures on the child during parenting time. This 141-overnight threshold represents the point at which shared custody significantly affects both parents' child-related expenses.
The adjustment calculation considers the relative income disparity between parents. If the higher-earning parent has 40% or more parenting time, the adjustment may be minimal because that parent already contributes more to combined income. If the lower-earning parent has extended parenting time, a larger adjustment may apply because that parent incurs significant direct costs on a smaller income.
Courts have discretion in applying custody adjustments. Some judges use a specific formula to calculate reduced support based on overnight percentages. Others evaluate the total circumstances, including each parent's actual housing costs, transportation expenses, food costs during parenting time, and other direct expenditures. Parents seeking custody adjustments should document their overnight schedule and child-related expenses carefully.
Modifying Child Support Orders
Under Ark. Code § 9-14-107, a change in either parent's gross income of 20% or $100 per month constitutes a material change of circumstances sufficient to petition for modification. Either the custodial or noncustodial parent may file a motion requesting the court to recalculate support when income changes meet this threshold. Job loss, promotion, disability, or significant changes in either parent's financial situation may warrant modification.
The Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement offers administrative review of support orders. Parents have a right to request review if more than three years have passed since the last order or review. Reviews may be requested sooner if income has changed by 20% or more. The OCSE can propose modifications based on current income and the Family Support Chart without requiring court proceedings.
Modification takes effect from the date the motion is filed, not retroactively to when circumstances changed. Parents experiencing income changes should file modification requests promptly rather than accumulating arrears. Courts cannot retroactively reduce past-due support even when current circumstances would warrant lower payments. Unpaid support remains an enforceable debt under Ark. Code § 9-14-235.
When Child Support Ends in Arkansas
Under Ark. Code § 9-14-237, child support obligations automatically terminate when the child reaches 18 years of age. However, if the child is still attending high school at age 18, support continues until high school graduation or the end of the school year after the child turns 19, whichever occurs first. A child who turns 18 in October of their senior year would receive support through graduation the following May or June.
Support also terminates upon the child's marriage, emancipation by court order, or adoption by another person that relieves the paying parent of parental rights and responsibilities. The death of either the paying parent or the child ends the obligation, though any arrears accumulated before death remain collectible from the deceased parent's estate.
Arkansas does not require parents to pay child support for adult children attending college. Unlike some states that extend support through undergraduate education, Arkansas law provides no mechanism to order college support. Parents may voluntarily agree to contribute to higher education expenses, and such agreements can be incorporated into divorce decrees, but courts cannot order college support absent parental consent.
Costs Associated with Child Support Proceedings
Filing a complaint to establish child support in Arkansas circuit court costs $165 for paper filing or $185 for electronic filing, pursuant to Ark. Code § 21-6-403. This uniform filing fee applies across all 75 Arkansas counties. Additional costs may include service of process fees, typically $25-$50 depending on the sheriff's office or private process server used. As of March 2026, verify current fees with your local circuit clerk.
The Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement provides services for establishing and enforcing support orders. OCSE charges a base cost of 13% up to a maximum of $18 for any month it receives a child support payment. Legal action fees range from $80 for initiating court action to $250 for cases requiring trial. Out-of-court settlements cost $100, while in-court settlements reached without trial cost $150.
Noncustodial parents paying through the Arkansas Child Support Clearinghouse pay an annual service fee of $36, collected as $3 per month or $9 per quarter. This fee funds the payment processing and distribution system. The fee applies for as long as any child on the order remains a minor and support is being collected.
Parents unable to afford filing fees may petition to proceed in forma pauperis. Automatic qualification applies to recipients of SSI, SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, or those with income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level (approximately $18,825 per year for a single person in 2026). The court may waive filing fees and service costs for qualifying petitioners.
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
Arkansas employs multiple enforcement mechanisms for parents who fail to pay court-ordered support. Income withholding is the primary method, with employers required to deduct support from wages and remit payment to the Arkansas Child Support Clearinghouse. Withholding begins automatically for most orders and can intercept up to 50% of disposable income for parents supporting other children, or 60% for those with no other dependents.
The Arkansas OCSE can intercept federal and state tax refunds, lottery winnings, and insurance settlements to satisfy support arrears. The agency may also suspend driver's licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses for parents with significant arrears. Passport denial applies to parents owing more than $2,500 in past-due support.
Contempt of court proceedings allow judges to impose jail sentences of up to six months for willful failure to pay support. Criminal nonsupport under Ark. Code § 5-26-401 is a Class A misdemeanor for first offenses, carrying up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,500. Repeat offenses or arrears exceeding $10,000 can result in felony charges with prison sentences up to six years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What income is used to calculate child support in Arkansas?
Arkansas uses gross income before any deductions for taxes, retirement, or health insurance. Gross income includes wages, salaries, self-employment profits, unemployment benefits, disability payments, pensions, Social Security, interest, dividends, and rental income. Under Administrative Order No. 10, both parents must disclose all income sources, and courts may impute full-time income to voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parents.
How much child support will I pay for one child in Arkansas?
Child support for one child in Arkansas depends on combined parental income and is calculated using the Family Support Chart. For combined monthly income of $5,000, the basic obligation is approximately $819 per month, divided proportionally between parents. A parent earning 60% of combined income would pay approximately $491 monthly before adding shares of health insurance, childcare, and extraordinary medical expenses.
Can child support be modified if I lose my job?
Yes, job loss typically qualifies as a material change under Ark. Code § 9-14-107, which allows modification when income changes by 20% or $100. File a motion for modification immediately rather than waiting, as courts cannot retroactively reduce arrears. Your support obligation does not automatically stop when you lose employment, you must obtain a court order modifying the amount.
Does Arkansas consider parenting time when calculating support?
Arkansas courts may adjust child support when the noncustodial parent has at least 141 overnights per year, representing approximately 40% of parenting time. The adjustment reflects that the parent with extended time incurs direct child-rearing expenses during their parenting periods. Judges have discretion in applying adjustments and consider income disparity between parents.
Until what age must I pay child support in Arkansas?
Child support under Ark. Code § 9-14-237 continues until the child turns 18 years old. If the child is still attending high school at 18, support continues until graduation or the end of the school year after the child turns 19, whichever comes first. Arkansas does not require support for adult children attending college.
What happens if the other parent hides income?
Courts can impute income based on a parent's earning capacity when evidence suggests hidden income or voluntary underemployment. Provide evidence such as tax returns, employment history, lifestyle inconsistencies, or large purchases inconsistent with claimed income. Under Administrative Order No. 10, judges consider education, skills, job market conditions, and earning history when imputing income.
How are health insurance and childcare costs divided?
Health insurance premiums for the child, extraordinary medical expenses over $250 per child per year, and work-related childcare costs are added to the basic support obligation and divided proportionally based on each parent's percentage of combined income. If Parent A earns 65% of combined income, they pay 65% of these additional expenses.
Can I use the Arkansas child support calculator for an unofficial estimate?
Yes, the official Arkansas Courts calculator provides estimates and generates the required Child Support Worksheet. However, courts may deviate from calculator results based on specific circumstances. The calculated amount is presumptive, meaning judges start with that figure but may adjust based on evidence presented.
What is the self-support reserve in Arkansas?
Arkansas applies a self-support reserve when the paying parent earns less than $900 per month gross income. This provision prevents support orders that would push very low-income parents below poverty level. When income falls in this range, calculations use only the payor's income and do not add health insurance, medical, or childcare expenses to the base obligation.
How do I request a review of my child support order?
Contact the Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement to request an administrative review if three years have passed since your last order or review, or sooner if income has changed by 20% or more. OCSE can propose modifications without court proceedings. Alternatively, file a motion for modification directly with the circuit court that issued your original order.