Alabama Child Support Calculator

Alabama uses the income shares model under Rule 32 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration. Both parents' gross incomes are combined and applied to the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations to determine a base amount. Adjustments are added for work-related childcare and health insurance premiums. The total obligation is then divided proportionally based on each parent's share of combined adjusted gross income using Form CS-42.

Alabama Rule 32 defines gross income broadly to include salaries, wages, commissions, bonuses, dividends, severance pay, self-employment income, rental income, and retirement benefits. Preexisting child support obligations and periodic alimony payments to a former spouse are deducted to calculate adjusted gross income. A new spouse's income is not included in the calculation. Courts may impute income to a parent found to be voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.

Alabama uses Form CS-42 for sole or joint physical custody arrangements and Form CS-42-S for shared physical custody situations. Under Rule 32(C)(7)(a), the shared physical custody adjustment applies only when a court order provides for 50% shared physical custody — informal agreements do not qualify. Shared custody calculations account for both parents providing housing, food, and utilities, which typically reduces the noncustodial parent's obligation compared to a sole custody arrangement.

Alabama courts presume that child support modification is warranted when a new Rule 32 calculation produces an amount more than 10% different from the existing order. Either parent may petition the court for modification based on a material change in circumstances such as job loss, significant income change, or changes in the child's needs. The current order remains in effect until the court approves a modification, and unpaid amounts continue to accrue as debt.

The basic child support obligation from Alabama's Rule 32 schedule covers ordinary expenses including food, housing, clothing, and transportation. Additional adjustments are made on Form CS-42 for work-related childcare costs (Line 5) and health insurance premiums for the child (Line 9). Extraordinary medical expenses not covered by insurance may also be factored in. Educational expenses and extracurricular activities may be addressed by agreement or court order but are not automatically included in the guideline calculation.

Alabama's Rule 32 establishes a rebuttable presumption of a $50 minimum monthly child support obligation. A zero-dollar order may be entered when the obligor has no gross income and receives only means-tested public assistance, or is incarcerated for more than 180 consecutive days. The Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations covers combined adjusted gross incomes up to $20,000 per month. For combined incomes exceeding that $20,000 cap, the court uses its discretion rather than extrapolating from the schedule.

Child support in Alabama continues until the child reaches age 19, which is Alabama's age of majority — one year longer than the age 18 standard used by most states. Support may terminate earlier if the child marries, joins the military, or is otherwise legally emancipated. Alabama courts may also order support to continue beyond age 19 for a child with a disability who is unable to support themselves. Parents should verify the specific termination terms stated in their court order.

Alabama enforces child support through multiple mechanisms: wage garnishment capturing up to 65% of disposable income, contempt of court proceedings that can result in jail time, driver's license and professional license suspension after 60 days of delinquency, tax refund interception (minimum $500 arrearage for non-TANF cases), property liens, credit reporting for arrears over $1,000, and federal passport denial for arrears exceeding $2,500. Interest accrues at 7.5% annually on unpaid support for orders issued after September 1, 2011.