Ohio child support amounts are calculated using the Income Shares Model under Ohio Revised Code § 3119.021, which combines both parents' gross incomes and references a statutory schedule covering combined annual incomes from $8,400 to $336,000. For a family with $100,000 in combined gross income and one child, the annual support obligation equals $11,864 under the 2026 guidelines. The parent earning 60% of combined income pays 60% of this amount, or approximately $593 per month. Ohio's minimum child support order is $80 per month, reduced to $50 per month if the paying parent receives means-tested public benefits.
Key Facts: Ohio Child Support (2026)
| Factor | Ohio Requirement |
|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Income Shares Model (ORC Chapter 3119) |
| Income Range Covered | $8,400 to $336,000 combined annual income |
| Minimum Support Order | $80/month ($50/month if on public assistance) |
| Parenting Time Credit | 10% reduction at 90+ overnights/year |
| Modification Threshold | 10% change from current order |
| CSEA Review Period | Every 36 months without proving change |
| Termination Age | 18 years (19 if still in high school) |
| Filing Fee (CSEA) | $25 |
| Court Motion Filing Fee | $50-$150 depending on county |
How Ohio Calculates Child Support Under ORC § 3119
Ohio calculates child support by combining both parents' gross annual incomes and looking up the corresponding support obligation in the statutory schedule, then dividing that obligation proportionally based on each parent's income share. Under ORC § 3119.01, gross income includes wages, salary, commissions, self-employment profit, rental income, pensions, workers' compensation, Social Security disability benefits, and averaged overtime or bonuses from the past three years. The court applies statutory adjustments under ORC § 3119.05 for local income tax paid, court-ordered spousal support, and other minor children in the household.
The calculation follows five steps. First, determine each parent's annual gross income from all sources. Second, apply statutory adjustments to arrive at adjusted gross income. Third, add both parents' adjusted incomes together for the combined annual income. Fourth, locate the corresponding support obligation in the ORC § 3119.021 basic child support schedule. Fifth, divide the obligation by each parent's percentage share of combined income.
Income Shares Model Example
Consider a situation where Parent A earns $60,000 annually and Parent B earns $40,000 annually, creating $100,000 in combined gross income with one child. The basic child support schedule shows $11,864 per year for this income level. Parent A earns 60% of combined income ($60,000 divided by $100,000), so Parent A owes 60% of $11,864, which equals $7,118 annually or $593 monthly. Parent B, as the custodial parent earning 40% of combined income, is assumed to spend their proportionate share ($4,746 annually) directly on the child.
2026 Ohio Child Support Schedule Amounts
The 2026 Ohio child support schedule under ORC § 3119.021 remained unchanged from the 2019 House Bill 366 framework, with only a minor adjustment to the self-sufficiency reserve that tracks the federal poverty guideline for a single adult. The basic schedule covers combined annual incomes from $8,400 to $336,000 in $600 increments, with support amounts calculated for one through six or more children. Courts exercise discretion for combined incomes exceeding $336,000 annually.
| Combined Annual Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $5,106/year ($426/mo) | $7,452/year ($621/mo) | $9,216/year ($768/mo) |
| $50,000 | $7,644/year ($637/mo) | $11,142/year ($929/mo) | $13,770/year ($1,148/mo) |
| $75,000 | $10,224/year ($852/mo) | $14,892/year ($1,241/mo) | $18,396/year ($1,533/mo) |
| $100,000 | $11,864/year ($989/mo) | $17,280/year ($1,440/mo) | $21,348/year ($1,779/mo) |
| $150,000 | $15,600/year ($1,300/mo) | $22,728/year ($1,894/mo) | $28,080/year ($2,340/mo) |
Note: These figures represent the total annual support obligation before dividing by income share. The paying parent owes their percentage share of these amounts. Verify current figures using the official Ohio Child Support Calculator.
Minimum and Maximum Child Support in Ohio
Ohio establishes a minimum child support order of $80 per month under ORC § 3119.06, or $50 per month if the paying parent receives means-tested benefits such as Medicaid or Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families. This minimum applies when the paying parent's income falls below the self-sufficiency reserve built into the statutory schedule. For 2026, the self-sufficiency reserve increased slightly to track the federal poverty guideline for a single adult, ensuring paying parents retain enough income to meet basic needs.
Ohio's child support schedule caps at $336,000 in combined annual income. When combined parental income exceeds $336,000 per year, courts have discretion to award support above the scheduled amount based on the child's needs and the family's standard of living. Courts typically consider the lifestyle the child would have enjoyed had the parents remained together, as well as educational expenses, extracurricular activities, and other reasonable needs appropriate to the family's financial circumstances.
Add-On Expenses: Healthcare and Childcare
Ohio child support orders include add-on expenses for healthcare coverage and work-related childcare costs, divided proportionally between parents based on their income shares. Under ORC § 3119.30, the child support obligee (receiving parent) is presumptively responsible for providing health insurance coverage for the children. If the paying parent earns 60% of combined income, they owe 60% of healthcare premiums and 60% of work-related childcare expenses in addition to their base support obligation.
Healthcare Coverage Requirements
Under ORC § 3119.29, "reasonable cost" for health insurance means coverage that does not exceed 5% of the providing parent's annual income. Health insurance must be "accessible," defined as providing primary care services within 30 miles of the child's residence. Every Ohio child support order includes a cash medical support amount under ORC § 3119.302 to cover uninsured medical expenses, split between parents using their income share percentages.
Work-Related Childcare Costs
Under ORC § 3119.01, "child care cost" includes annual out-of-pocket costs for care and supervision related to work or employment training. This encompasses daycare, before and after school programs, and summer care programs necessary for parents to maintain employment. These costs are added to the basic support obligation and divided proportionally by income share.
90-Overnight Parenting Time Credit
Ohio provides an automatic 10% reduction in child support when the non-residential parent exercises 90 or more overnight visits per year (approximately 25% of parenting time). Under ORC § 3119.051, this parenting time credit reflects the direct costs the non-residential parent incurs during extended parenting time, including food, utilities, transportation, and activities. The 10% reduction applies to the obligor's share of the basic support obligation, not to add-on expenses for healthcare or childcare.
The parenting time credit requires documentation of actual overnights exercised, not merely court-ordered parenting time. If a parent is ordered 100 overnights annually but consistently exercises only 60 overnights, the 10% credit does not apply. Courts may also consider additional parenting time adjustments as deviation factors under ORC § 3119.23 when circumstances warrant departure from guideline support.
Deviations from Guideline Child Support
Ohio courts may deviate from guideline child support under ORC § 3119.23 when the calculated amount would be unjust, inappropriate, or not in the child's best interest. The court must make written findings explaining why deviation is warranted. Deviations can increase or decrease the support amount depending on specific circumstances, but courts grant them only when evidence rebuts the presumption that the calculated amount is correct.
Common Deviation Factors
The most frequently applied deviation factors include special needs of the child arising from physical or psychological conditions, extraordinary childcare costs exceeding state-wide averages, significant income disparity between households, extended parenting time arrangements, and the standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the parents remained together. Under ORC § 3119.23(P), courts specifically consider "extraordinary costs associated with caring for a child with specialized physical, psychological, or educational needs."
High-Income Deviations
When combined parental income exceeds $336,000 annually, courts exercise discretion in setting support for income above the scheduled cap. Courts consider the child's accustomed lifestyle, educational needs, extracurricular activities, and reasonable expenses appropriate to the family's financial circumstances. Courts may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed to avoid support obligations.
How to Modify Ohio Child Support
Ohio allows child support modification through two pathways: administrative review through the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) or a court motion. Either parent may request a CSEA administrative review every 36 months from the most recent order without proving any change in circumstances. Under ORC § 3119.79, modification is justified when recalculation produces an amount differing by at least 10% from the current order.
CSEA Administrative Review Process
When you submit a review request, the CSEA determines within 15 business days whether you are eligible (3 business days for military members on active duty). The CSEA has 180 days to complete the review and mail results to both parties. The review is conducted as a desk review without in-person appearances, using current income documentation to recalculate support under the guideline worksheet. CSEA reviews cost $25 to initiate, though recipients of Medicaid or TANF pay no fee.
Early Modification Before 36 Months
Modification before the 36-month mark requires demonstrating substantial changed circumstances. Qualifying changes include involuntary unemployment or layoff lasting more than 30 consecutive days, income change of at least 30% for six months or longer through no fault of your own, or a 10% or greater change in health insurance or childcare costs. The 10% variance threshold under ORC § 3119.79 defines what constitutes substantial change.
Court Modification
You may file a motion to modify child support in court at any time without waiting for the 36-month CSEA review period. Court modification allows in-person appearance to explain circumstances to a judge or magistrate, providing more flexibility to consider personal situations. Court filing fees range from $50 to $150 depending on county, with larger jurisdictions like Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) and Franklin County (Columbus) charging at the higher end. Attorney fees for contested modifications average $1,500 to $3,000.
Ohio Child Support Filing Fees and Costs (2026)
Filing costs for child support matters in Ohio vary based on whether you proceed through CSEA administrative channels or court filings. As of May 2026, verify current fees with your local clerk of courts or CSEA office, as fees differ by county.
| Action | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| CSEA Administrative Review | $25 (waived for Medicaid/TANF recipients) |
| Court Motion to Modify | $50-$150 (varies by county) |
| Divorce with Children (initial filing) | $370-$420 (varies by county) |
| Fee Waiver Eligibility | Income at or below 125% of federal poverty level |
Ohio courts waive filing fees for households earning at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines under Civil Rule 3(E), which equals $19,250 for a single person or $39,750 for a family of four in 2026. Parents requesting fee waivers must complete an Affidavit of Indigency (Uniform Civil Form 2).
When Ohio Child Support Ends
Under ORC § 3119.86, child support in Ohio terminates when the child turns 18 years old, unless the child is still attending an accredited high school full-time, in which case support continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first. Three specific exceptions allow support to extend beyond 18: full-time high school enrollment, mental or physical disability rendering the child incapable of self-support, and a written parental agreement incorporated into the divorce decree providing for extended support.
Support terminates automatically upon the child's emancipation, which occurs through marriage, military enlistment, or court declaration of emancipation. Ohio does not require parents to pay for college expenses unless they voluntarily agree to do so in a separation agreement or court order. Any college support provision must be negotiated and explicitly included in the final decree.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Child Support
How much is child support in Ohio for one child?
Ohio child support for one child depends on combined parental income and ranges from $80 per month minimum to over $1,300 monthly for higher-income families. At $100,000 combined annual income, the total annual support obligation for one child equals $11,864 under the ORC § 3119.021 schedule. The paying parent owes their proportionate share based on income percentage.
What percentage of income goes to child support in Ohio?
Ohio does not use a flat percentage model for child support calculations. Instead, Ohio uses the Income Shares Model, which determines support based on combined parental income and number of children. Child support typically represents 12-25% of the combined parental income depending on income level and number of children, with the paying parent owing their proportionate share of this amount.
Can I use an online calculator to estimate Ohio child support?
Yes, the official Ohio Child Support Calculator provides estimates based on the statutory schedule under ORC § 3119.021. You need gross annual income information for both parents to obtain accurate results. The calculator accounts for statutory adjustments, number of children, and basic support obligations but may not capture all add-on expenses or deviation factors.
How often can Ohio child support be modified?
Ohio allows child support modification every 36 months through CSEA administrative review without proving changed circumstances. You may request court modification at any time if you can demonstrate a 10% or greater variance between your current order and recalculated support under ORC § 3119.79. Qualifying early changes include involuntary unemployment exceeding 30 days or income changes of 30% or more lasting six months.
Does Ohio reduce child support for shared parenting time?
Yes, Ohio provides an automatic 10% reduction in the paying parent's support obligation when they exercise 90 or more overnight visits annually under ORC § 3119.051. This parenting time credit requires documentation of actual overnights exercised, not merely court-ordered parenting time. Additional adjustments may apply as deviation factors under ORC § 3119.23.
What income counts toward Ohio child support calculations?
Under ORC § 3119.01, gross income for child support includes wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, overtime (averaged over three years), self-employment profit, rental income, pensions, retirement distributions, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, Social Security disability benefits, and any other recurring income. Imputed income may apply if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.
How does Ohio handle child support for high-income parents?
The Ohio child support schedule caps at $336,000 in combined annual income. For incomes exceeding this threshold, courts exercise discretion based on the child's reasonable needs, accustomed lifestyle, educational expenses, and extracurricular activities appropriate to the family's financial circumstances. There is no maximum child support amount; courts consider what the child would have received had the parents remained together.
What happens if the paying parent loses their job in Ohio?
Involuntary unemployment lasting 30 or more consecutive days qualifies for early modification review before the standard 36-month period. The unemployed parent should immediately file for modification through CSEA or court to avoid accumulating arrears at the original support amount. Courts may impute income to parents deemed voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. Support obligations continue accruing until a court modifies the order.
Does Ohio require child support to cover college expenses?
No, Ohio does not require parents to pay college expenses through child support. Under ORC § 3119.86, child support ends at age 18 (or 19 if still in high school). Parents may voluntarily agree to contribute to college expenses through a separation agreement or court order, but courts cannot order college support absent such agreement.
How do I enforce an Ohio child support order?
The Ohio Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) enforces child support orders through wage withholding, tax refund interception, license suspension (driver's, professional, recreational), passport denial, contempt proceedings, and credit bureau reporting. Contact your local CSEA office to report non-payment. Ohio participates in the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) for enforcement across state lines.