Ohio Child Support Calculator

Ohio uses the Income Shares Model under ORC Chapter 3119, which combines both parents' gross incomes and splits the obligation proportionally based on each parent's income share. The basic child support schedule covers combined annual incomes from $8,400 to $336,000. Courts look up the combined income and number of children on the schedule, then assign each parent's percentage of the total obligation.

Ohio defines gross income broadly under ORC § 3119.01 to include wages, salaries, overtime, bonuses, commissions, pensions, Social Security, unemployment benefits, disability payments, trust income, and rental income. Overtime, commissions, and bonuses are capped at the lesser of the three-year average or prior year's total. A spouse's income is never included in the calculation.

Ohio provides an automatic 10% reduction in child support when the non-custodial parent has at least 90 overnights per year with the child. This shared parenting adjustment recognizes the increased direct expenses incurred during extended parenting time. The court may also deviate from the guideline amount based on the specific parenting schedule and each parent's direct costs.

Either parent can request a modification when there is a substantial change in circumstances such as job loss, income change, or change in custody. Under ORC § 3119.79, if the recalculated amount differs by more than 10% from the current order, Ohio courts presume the change is substantial enough to warrant modification. Parents can request a review through their county CSEA every 36 months.

Beyond the basic support obligation, Ohio child support orders address healthcare costs, work-related childcare, and cash medical support under ORC § 3119.30. These additional expenses are split between parents proportionally based on their income shares. Extraordinary expenses such as special needs costs, private school tuition, or extracurricular activities may also be considered by the court.

Ohio sets a minimum child support order of $80 per month under ORC § 3119.06, applicable when combined parental income falls below $8,400 per year. Courts may order less than $80 or even $0 for parents with documented disabilities. The basic schedule caps at $336,000 combined income under ORC § 3119.04; above that, courts determine support case-by-case but cannot order less than the top-of-schedule amount.

Ohio child support generally continues until the child turns 18 and graduates high school, or turns 19 if still attending high school full-time, per ORC § 3119.86. Support may extend beyond age 18 if the child has a mental or physical disability that existed before emancipation, or if the parents' separation agreement specifies continuation. Early termination occurs if the child marries, enlists in the military, or is legally emancipated.

Ohio's CSEA enforces support orders through wage withholding, which collects approximately 75% of all payments statewide. Additional enforcement tools include state and federal tax intercepts for arrears over $150, driver's license and professional license suspension after 90 days of nonpayment, bank account seizure, and passport denial for arrears exceeding $2,500. Willful nonpayment can result in contempt of court with 30–90 days jail, or criminal nonsupport charges carrying up to five years in prison under ORC § 2919.21.