Pennsylvania Child Support Calculator

Pennsylvania uses the Income Shares Model under Pa. Rule of Civil Procedure 1910.16-3, combining both parents' monthly net incomes and looking up the basic obligation on the state schedule. The schedule covers combined monthly net incomes from $1,300 to $30,000 for one to six children. Each parent's share is proportional to their percentage of combined income — for example, a parent earning 68% of combined income pays 68% of the basic obligation.

Under Rule 1910.16-2, Pennsylvania counts all forms of net income: wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment earnings, rental income, pensions, and Social Security benefits. Qualifying deductions include federal, state, and local taxes, mandatory union dues, and existing support obligations for other children. The self-support reserve — the minimum a paying parent keeps — increased to $1,255 per month under the 2026 guidelines.

When the obligor parent has the children for 40% or more of annual overnights, Pennsylvania applies a shared custody adjustment under Rule 1910.16-4. At 40% custody time, the basic obligation reduces to approximately 58% of the standard amount. At 45% custody time, it drops to roughly 53%, and at equal 50/50 custody, the obligor pays approximately 48% of the basic support obligation.

Either parent can petition to modify child support by demonstrating a material and substantial change in circumstances under Rule 1910.19. The 2026 guideline update itself qualifies as a changed circumstance for modification. However, existing orders do not adjust automatically — parents must file a petition, and any modification is retroactive only to the filing date, not to January 1, 2026.

Beyond the basic obligation from the schedule, Rule 1910.16-6 requires parents to share additional expenses proportionally based on income. These include health insurance premiums for the children, unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding $250 per year per child, childcare costs necessary for employment or education, and private school tuition. Each parent pays their percentage share of these costs on top of the basic support amount.

Pennsylvania's schedule starts at $1,300 combined monthly net income and caps at $30,000. Below $1,300, the self-support reserve of $1,255 per month protects the obligor's basic needs. Above $30,000 combined monthly income, Rule 1910.16-3.1 applies a formula — for one child, the obligation is $3,749 plus 4.0% of income exceeding $30,000. There is no absolute maximum cap for high-income cases.

Under 23 Pa.C.S. § 4323, child support continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. Support does not terminate automatically — the obligor must follow the emancipation inquiry process through their county domestic relations section. Courts may extend support beyond 18 for children with physical or mental disabilities that prevent self-sufficiency.

Pennsylvania enforces child support through immediate wage withholding on all orders, plus federal and state tax refund intercepts, lottery prize offsets over $600, and bank account seizure. Courts can suspend the non-paying parent's driver's license, professional licenses, and hunting or fishing licenses. A parent found in contempt of court faces fines, probation, or incarceration, and may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense.