Connecticut Child Support Calculator

Connecticut uses the income shares model under § 46b-215a, combining both parents' net weekly incomes and looking up the basic support obligation in the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations. Each parent pays their proportional share based on their percentage of combined income. For instance, if one parent earns 60% of the combined net income, that parent pays 60% of the scheduled obligation amount.

Connecticut child support uses net weekly income, calculated by deducting federal taxes, state taxes, Social Security, mandatory retirement contributions, and existing support orders from gross income. Gross income includes wages, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, dividends, rent, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and retirement income. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is explicitly excluded from child support calculations under Connecticut regulations.

Connecticut applies a shared custody adjustment when the non-custodial parent has 35% or more overnights (128+ nights per year). Crossing this threshold can reduce the child support obligation by 30–50% because both parents incur substantial direct expenses for the child. Below 35% overnights, the standard income shares formula applies without adjustment.

Connecticut law presumes a substantial change in circumstances has occurred if applying current guidelines would produce a support amount at least 15% different from the existing order. Either parent can file a motion for modification based on changes such as job loss, significant income increase, or changes in custody arrangements. The court recalculates using the same income shares formula with updated financial information.

The basic child support obligation covers housing, food, clothing, and transportation. Connecticut courts also allocate unreimbursed medical expenses and necessary childcare costs proportionally between parents based on net disposable income. Health care coverage costs are deemed reasonable if they do not exceed 5% of a low-income parent's net income or 7.5% for other parents under § 46b-215b.

Connecticut's child support guidelines cover combined net weekly incomes from $50 to $4,000 per week (approximately $208,000 annually). Above $4,000 combined weekly income, courts determine support on a case-by-case basis, with the $4,000-level amount serving as the minimum presumptive obligation. Additionally, no parent's total support obligation can exceed 55% of their net weekly income under Regulation § 46b-215a-4b.

Connecticut child support payments typically continue until the child reaches age 19 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. Courts may order support beyond age 19 for children with disabilities or special needs. Parents cannot waive child support obligations through private agreements, as the right to support belongs to the child under Connecticut law.

Connecticut enforces child support through wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, property liens (for arrears of $500+), credit bureau reporting (for arrears of $1,000+), and license suspension after 90 days of delinquency. Under § 53-304, willful nonpayment constitutes contempt of court, carrying up to six months in jail. Arrears of $5,000 or more can be referred for federal criminal prosecution, and there is no statute of limitations on collecting past-due support.