Arkansas child support is calculated using the Income Shares Model under Administrative Order No. 10, which combines both parents' gross monthly incomes and applies the Family Support Chart to determine obligations. For a combined gross monthly income of $5,000 with one child, the base child support obligation is approximately $740 per month, divided proportionally between parents based on each parent's percentage of the combined income. Arkansas courts add health insurance premiums, extraordinary medical expenses exceeding $250 annually, and work-related childcare costs to this base amount.
Key Facts: Arkansas Child Support 2026
| Factor | Arkansas Requirement |
|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Income Shares (Administrative Order No. 10) |
| Income Basis | Gross income (before taxes) |
| Filing Fee (OCSE) | $80 initiation; $150 in-court settlement |
| Filing Fee (Circuit Court) | $165 |
| Modification Threshold | 20% or $100 income change |
| Support Termination | Age 18 (or 19 if still in high school) |
| Minimum Income Threshold | $900/month gross (self-support reserve) |
| Parenting Time Adjustment | 141+ overnights (40% parenting time) |
| Maximum Chart Income | $30,000/month combined gross |
| Review Period | Every 36 months or upon 20% income change |
How Arkansas Calculates Child Support Amounts
Arkansas determines child support amounts by combining both parents' gross monthly incomes and referencing the Family Support Chart under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-312. The court first calculates each parent's percentage share of the combined income, then looks up the basic obligation on the chart based on total income and number of children, and finally assigns each parent their proportional share of that obligation. For example, if Parent A earns $4,000 per month and Parent B earns $2,000 per month, Parent A contributes 67% of the combined $6,000 income and pays 67% of the chart-determined obligation.
The Family Support Chart covers combined gross monthly incomes from $900 to $30,000. Arkansas applies a self-support reserve for payor parents earning less than $900 per month in gross income, ensuring that parent can meet basic subsistence needs. For combined incomes exceeding $30,000 per month, the court exercises discretion to set an appropriate amount above the chart maximum, typically using the highest chart amount as a baseline.
Sample Child Support Amounts by Combined Income
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | $505 | $770 | $930 |
| $5,000 | $740 | $1,125 | $1,365 |
| $7,500 | $1,010 | $1,535 | $1,860 |
| $10,000 | $1,240 | $1,880 | $2,280 |
| $15,000 | $1,670 | $2,530 | $3,065 |
| $20,000 | $2,030 | $3,075 | $3,730 |
These amounts represent the base child support obligation from the Arkansas Family Support Chart. Actual payments may be higher after adding health insurance, childcare, and extraordinary medical expenses. Each parent pays their proportional share based on income percentage.
Arkansas Uses Gross Income, Not Net Income
Arkansas bases child support calculations on gross income rather than net income, meaning courts consider earnings before taxes, retirement contributions, or insurance deductions are subtracted. Under Administrative Order No. 10, gross income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, dividends, severance pay, pensions, interest, trust income, annuities, capital gains, Social Security benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, disability insurance, veterans' benefits, spousal support received, and rental income. This comprehensive definition ensures all income sources contribute to the child support calculation.
The gross income approach typically results in higher calculated support amounts compared to states using net income. Arkansas courts look at each parent's total earning capacity and resources when determining how much is child support in Arkansas for a specific case. Self-employment income is calculated by subtracting ordinary and necessary business expenses from gross receipts, though the court scrutinizes claimed expenses to prevent income hiding.
Additional Expenses Beyond the Base Obligation
Arkansas child support extends beyond the monthly base payment calculated from the Family Support Chart. Under Section IV of Administrative Order No. 10, three categories of additional child-rearing expenses must be added to the worksheet and considered by the court when determining the total child support obligation. These additional expenses are divided between parents proportionally based on each parent's share of combined gross income.
Health Insurance Premiums
The cost of health insurance coverage for the child is added to the base obligation when a parent incurs additional expense to provide dependent coverage. Under Arkansas guidelines, health insurance coverage is considered reasonable if the cost of dependent coverage does not exceed 5% of the gross income of the parent providing coverage. If adding the child to an existing policy creates no additional cost, no amount is added to the support obligation for insurance.
Extraordinary Medical Expenses
Uninsured medical expenses exceeding $250 per year per child qualify as extraordinary medical expenses under Arkansas law. These include orthodontia, dental treatment, asthma treatment, physical therapy, treatment for chronic health conditions, and professional counseling or psychiatric therapy for diagnosed mental disorders. Both parents share these costs proportionally after the first $250 threshold.
Work-Related Childcare Costs
Childcare expenses incurred due to employment or active job searching are added to the child support worksheet. Arkansas courts include daycare, after-school care, and summer camp costs necessary for the parent to maintain employment. These expenses are verified and divided between parents based on their respective income percentages.
Parenting Time Adjustments and Overnights
Arkansas courts may adjust child support when the noncustodial parent exercises significant parenting time with the child. Under Administrative Order No. 10, a parenting time adjustment may apply when the noncustodial parent has at least 141 overnights per year, representing approximately 40% of the total annual overnights. This threshold recognizes that substantial parenting time creates direct child-rearing expenses for the noncustodial parent.
The court considers the income disparity between parents when deciding whether to apply a parenting time adjustment. Arkansas guidelines give more weight to adjustments when the income disparity between parents is less than 20%. If one parent earns significantly more than the other, the court may decline to reduce support despite extended parenting time, recognizing that the child's standard of living should remain consistent between households.
When Child Support Ends in Arkansas
Arkansas child support automatically terminates when the child reaches age 18 under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-237. If the child is still enrolled in high school at age 18, the support obligation continues until the child graduates from high school or reaches age 19, whichever occurs first. The obligation also ends upon the child's emancipation, marriage, or adoption by another parent.
Arkansas courts may order child support to continue indefinitely for an adult child with a disability that substantially affects the child's ability to live independently from the custodial parent under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-312(a)(6)(B). This exception applies regardless of the child's age and can create a lifetime support obligation when the disability prevents self-sufficiency.
How to Modify Arkansas Child Support
Arkansas allows child support modification when a material change in circumstances occurs. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-107, a change in either parent's gross income of at least 20% or $100 per month constitutes a material change sufficient to petition the court for modification. Either parent can request a review through the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) every 36 months, or sooner when the 20% income threshold is met.
The modification process requires filing a motion with the circuit court or requesting an administrative review through OCSE. Filing fees are approximately $80 through OCSE or $165 through circuit court as of March 2026. An inconsistency between an existing child support award and the amount calculated under current guidelines also constitutes a material change warranting modification. The 2020 update to Administrative Order No. 10 changed the calculation model from the Melson Formula to the Income Shares Model, creating potential inconsistencies for older orders.
Incarceration and Child Support
Arkansas treats incarceration as involuntary unemployment for child support purposes under Act 904 of 2019, codified at Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-107(a). An incarcerated parent may petition for modification based on the inability to earn income while imprisoned. Child support arrears continue to accumulate during incarceration unless the court grants a modification, and arrears accrue interest at 10% per year.
Arkansas Child Support Enforcement Methods
The Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) employs multiple enforcement tools to collect current support and arrearages. Income withholding through wage garnishment is the primary enforcement method, with child support having priority over other garnishments except prior IRS tax levies. OCSE can garnish wages of active, reserve, and retired military members as well as federal civilian employees.
License Suspension
Arkansas suspends driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, recreational licenses (hunting and fishing), and professional or occupational licenses when a parent falls three months or more behind in child support payments. The Department of Finance and Administration processes these suspensions automatically through OCSE referral. Parents can avoid suspension by entering a payment agreement, making voluntary payments equal to current support plus 20% toward arrears, or obtaining a court order prohibiting suspension.
Passport Denial and Criminal Prosecution
Parents owing $2,500 or more in past-due support are automatically referred to the U.S. Department of State for passport denial under federal law. Arkansas OCSE also pursues criminal prosecution for nonsupport when arrears exceed $10,000 and remain unpaid for more than 12 months. Criminal nonsupport is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Arrears exceeding $10,000 with willful nonpayment can result in class C felony charges.
Additional Enforcement Actions
OCSE utilizes the Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM) program to identify and seize bank accounts of parents with arrears. The agency also intercepts federal and state tax refunds, reports delinquent child support to credit bureaus, and files property liens against real estate owned by the owing parent. Contempt of court proceedings may result in jail time until the parent meets payment conditions set by the court.
Filing for Child Support in Arkansas
Parents can establish child support through the Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement or by filing a complaint in circuit court. OCSE services are available to all Arkansas residents regardless of income, with fees assessed based on case outcomes. The initiation fee through OCSE is $80, with additional fees of $100 for out-of-court settlements, $150 for in-court settlements, and $250 for cases resolved at trial.
Circuit court filing fees are $165 for initiating a cause of action in most counties, though some counties charge higher amounts. As of March 2026, verify current fees with your local circuit clerk. Arkansas courts require completion of the Child Support Worksheet, which calculates each parent's obligation based on the Family Support Chart and additional child-rearing expenses.
Required Documentation
Parents must provide proof of income including pay stubs, tax returns, and W-2 forms from the previous year. Documentation of health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and any extraordinary medical expenses is required for the worksheet calculation. Arkansas courts also require evidence of the custody arrangement and the number of overnights each parent exercises annually.
Ongoing Service Fees and Payment Processing
Arkansas charges a base cost of 13% of payments received through OCSE, up to a maximum of $18 per month. This fee covers overhead costs and administrative activities for any month OCSE receives a child support payment. An annual service fee of $36 applies to all orders directing payments through the Arkansas Child Support Clearinghouse, payable as $9 per quarter at the option of the obligated parent.
All payments in Title IV-D cases or cases with wage withholding must be made through the Arkansas Child Support Clearinghouse in accordance with Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-801. This centralized payment system ensures accurate tracking of payments and arrears, with records available through the OCSE MyCase online portal.
Contested vs. Uncontested Child Support Proceedings
| Factor | Uncontested | Contested |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | 30-60 days | 3-12 months |
| OCSE Filing Fee | $80 initiation + $100 settlement | $80 initiation + $250 trial |
| Circuit Court Fee | $165 | $165 + attorney fees |
| Attorney Recommended | Optional | Strongly recommended |
| Court Appearances | Minimal or none | Multiple hearings |
| Discovery Required | Usually none | Financial disclosure required |
| Income Verification | Basic documentation | Forensic accounting possible |
Uncontested proceedings where both parents agree on income figures and custody arrangements typically resolve within 30 to 60 days. Contested cases involving disputes over income, parenting time, or additional expenses may require multiple court appearances, depositions, and expert testimony, extending the timeline to 12 months or longer.
Arkansas Child Support Resources
Official Calculator
The Arkansas Judiciary provides an official Child Support Calculator at arcourts.gov/child-support-calculator that generates the required Child Support Worksheet. This calculator applies Administrative Order No. 10 guidelines and produces a PDF document suitable for court filing.
Office of Child Support Enforcement
Arkansas OCSE offers services for establishing, collecting, and modifying child support orders. Contact OCSE at 1-800-264-2445 or access the MyCase portal at ark.org/mycase for account information and payment history.
Legal Aid of Arkansas
Low-income parents may qualify for free legal assistance through Legal Aid of Arkansas. Income eligibility is based on federal poverty guidelines, and services include help with child support establishment, modification, and enforcement matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is child support in Arkansas for one child?
Arkansas child support for one child depends on combined parental gross monthly income. At $5,000 combined monthly income, the base obligation is approximately $740 per month, divided proportionally between parents. A parent earning 60% of combined income pays $444 of the $740 total. Health insurance, childcare, and extraordinary medical costs are added to this base and divided proportionally.
What is the average child support payment in Arkansas?
Arkansas child support payments vary widely based on income levels and custody arrangements, with no published state average. For combined parental incomes around the state median household income of $52,000 annually ($4,333 monthly), the base obligation for one child is approximately $650 per month. The noncustodial parent's share depends on their percentage of combined income.
Can child support be modified if I lose my job in Arkansas?
Arkansas permits child support modification when income decreases by 20% or $100 per month under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-14-107. Job loss qualifies as a material change in circumstances. File a modification motion promptly because arrears continue accruing at the current rate until the court enters a new order, and back-dated modifications are not permitted.
Does Arkansas use gross or net income for child support?
Arkansas uses gross income for child support calculations under Administrative Order No. 10. Gross income means total earnings before taxes, retirement contributions, and insurance deductions. This includes wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, investment income, Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, and most other income sources.
How does shared custody affect child support in Arkansas?
Arkansas may adjust child support when the noncustodial parent has at least 141 overnights per year, representing 40% of annual parenting time. The court considers income disparity between parents when applying adjustments, with greater weight given when disparity is less than 20%. Even with 50/50 custody, the higher-earning parent typically pays support to equalize the child's standard of living between households.
What happens if I don't pay child support in Arkansas?
Arkansas enforces child support through wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension (driver's, professional, hunting/fishing), bank account seizure, property liens, passport denial for arrears over $2,500, and criminal prosecution for arrears over $10,000. Arrears accrue 10% annual interest. Licenses are suspended after three months of nonpayment through automatic OCSE referral.
How long does it take to get child support in Arkansas?
Arkansas child support cases typically take 30 to 90 days from filing to initial order when both parents cooperate. OCSE administrative processes may be faster than circuit court proceedings. Contested cases requiring hearings on income disputes, custody arrangements, or paternity establishment can extend 6 to 12 months or longer.
Does child support cover college expenses in Arkansas?
Arkansas child support does not automatically include college expenses. Support terminates at age 18, or 19 if the child remains in high school. Parents can voluntarily agree to contribute to higher education costs in a settlement agreement, but courts cannot order college support absent such an agreement. Some divorce decrees include provisions for future educational contributions.
Can grandparents be ordered to pay child support in Arkansas?
Arkansas does not order grandparents to pay child support for grandchildren. Only biological or adoptive parents have a legal obligation to support their children under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-312. However, if grandparents have legal custody or guardianship, they may be entitled to receive child support from the biological parents.
How do I calculate child support if my ex is self-employed in Arkansas?
Self-employment income in Arkansas is calculated by subtracting ordinary and necessary business expenses from gross receipts. Courts scrutinize claimed deductions and may impute income if expenses appear excessive or designed to reduce support obligations. Bank statements, tax returns, and business records from the past three years are typically required. Forensic accountants may be necessary in complex cases.