Arizona Child Support Calculator

Estimate Arizona child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under Arizona Child Support Guidelines (A.R.S. § 25-320 app.). Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

Arizona follows the Income Shares model under the Arizona Child Support Guidelines adopted under A.R.S. § 25-320. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that income level and number of children, then prorates the obligation between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of the combined income.

Arizona uses a shared-care approach, so parenting time changes the support number directly. The court counts the parenting-time days each parent has and applies a published parenting-time table from the Arizona Child Support Guidelines to adjust the basic obligation. The more parenting time you exercise, the larger the adjustment in your favor. The on-page calculator estimates this, but the official Arizona worksheet controls the final figure.

In Arizona the cost of medical insurance for the children is added on top of the basic support obligation. That premium is then split between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of the combined gross income, the same way the basic obligation is prorated. Only the portion of the premium covering the children counts. The parent who actually pays the premium normally receives credit for it in the worksheet calculation.

Work-related child care is treated as an add-on in Arizona. The court takes reasonable child care costs that let a parent work and adds them to the basic support obligation, then divides them between the parents by their income percentages. Because these are add-ons rather than part of the base schedule, they can move the final number noticeably. Keep records of your daycare expenses so they can be entered accurately on the official worksheet.

Arizona judges start from the guideline number, which is presumed correct, but they may deviate when applying the guideline would be inappropriate or unjust in a particular case. The parent asking for a different amount carries the burden of showing why the guideline figure should not apply, and the court must put its specific reasons in writing or on the record. Common grounds include extraordinary expenses or special needs. The calculator here gives an estimate only and does not predict a deviation.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in Arizona?

Arizona uses the Income Shares model under the Arizona Child Support Guidelines, adopted under A.R.S. section 25-320. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, then looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that combined income and the number of children. That obligation is prorated between the parents based on each parent's percentage share of the combined income. The schedule figure is then adjusted for items like medical insurance, work-related child care, and parenting time. Our calculator estimates this, but the official Arizona worksheet and a licensed attorney control the actual order.

Is there an official Arizona child support worksheet I should use?

Yes. The Arizona courts publish an official Child Support Calculator and worksheet at azcourts.gov, and that worksheet is the controlling form the court relies on under the Arizona Child Support Guidelines. The judge enters each parent's gross income, the parenting-time days, insurance, and child care into that worksheet to produce the guideline number. The estimate on this page is a helpful starting point to understand the math, but it is not legal advice and does not replace the official worksheet. For your real case, complete the state worksheet or have an attorney review your figures.

What income counts when figuring Arizona child support?

Arizona uses gross income from nearly any source. That includes wages, self-employment net profit, commissions, bonuses, severance, pensions, interest, trust income, capital gains, Social Security retirement and disability, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and recurring gifts. Means-tested public benefits and child support you receive for other children are excluded. Because the Income Shares model combines both parents' gross incomes, accurate income reporting matters for both sides. If a self-employed parent's books are unclear, the court can scrutinize them. The calculator on this page is only an estimate, and the official Arizona worksheet controls the final number.

How does 50/50 or shared parenting time change support in Arizona?

Parenting time directly affects the Arizona number through a shared-care formula. The court counts each parent's parenting-time days and applies a published parenting-time table from the Arizona Child Support Guidelines to adjust the basic obligation. With a roughly equal schedule, the adjustment can substantially lower the higher earner's payment, but it rarely zeroes it out, because the parent with greater income still shares more of the combined obligation. Even in a 50/50 split, support can still flow when incomes differ. Use the official worksheet to see how your exact days translate into a number.

Can the court assign income to an unemployed or underemployed parent in Arizona?

Yes. Because Arizona's Income Shares model depends on both parents' gross incomes, a parent who is unemployed or working below their ability cannot simply report zero. The court can attribute, or impute, income based on what that parent could reasonably earn given work history, education, and job opportunities. This keeps a parent from lowering support by choosing not to work. There are exceptions, such as caring for a very young child or a genuine inability to work. The figure on this page is an estimate only, so confirm any imputed income through the official worksheet or an attorney.

When can an Arizona child support order be modified?

You can ask to change an Arizona order when circumstances change. A 15 percent variance between your current order and a new guideline calculation is presumed to be a substantial and continuing change of circumstances, which supports a modification. You can file a petition or a simplified modification in superior court, or request an administrative review through the Arizona Division of Child Support Services (DCSS). Common triggers include a job loss, a large income change, or a shift in parenting time. Run the numbers on the official worksheet first to see whether you likely meet the 15 percent threshold before filing.

How is child support enforced in Arizona, and when does it end?

The Arizona Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) enforces orders with tools including income withholding, tax and lottery intercepts, suspension of driver, professional, and recreational licenses, bank levies, liens, passport denial, and contempt referrals. Support generally runs until the child turns 18, or until graduation from high school but not past age 19, whichever is later. A disabled child may receive support indefinitely under A.R.S. section 25-320(E). Unpaid amounts become arrears that survive even after current support ends. This page gives an estimate only, so rely on the official worksheet and DCSS for enforcement specifics.