Minnesota Child Support Calculator

Estimate Minnesota child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under Minn. Stat. § 518A. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

Minnesota follows the Income Shares model under Minn. Stat. ch. 518A. 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.

Minnesota builds parenting time directly into the number through a parenting-expense adjustment based on the overnights each parent has with the child. As one parent's share of overnights goes up, that parent's portion of the basic obligation generally goes down, because the guideline assumes that parent is already covering more day-to-day costs. The state's shared-care formula handles more evenly split schedules. Our on-page tool estimates this effect, but the official Minnesota calculator and the court order control the final figure.

Minnesota treats the child's health and dental insurance as a separate medical support obligation under Minn. Stat. ch. 518A, not as part of the basic support number. The cost of coverage for the child is added into the calculation and then divided between the parents in proportion to their shares of combined income, the same way the basic obligation is split. Whichever parent carries the insurance gets credit for it, so it adjusts who pays and how much.

Work-related and education-related child care, such as daycare so a parent can hold a job or attend school, is a separate child-care support obligation in Minnesota under Minn. Stat. ch. 518A. The reasonable cost of that care is figured into the support calculation and then prorated between the parents according to each one's percentage share of the combined parental income. It is handled apart from the basic obligation, so daycare costs can raise the total support amount beyond the base guideline figure.

The guideline figure is presumed correct in Minnesota, but a judge can deviate up or down if applying the guideline strictly would be unfair given the child's needs, each parent's resources and obligations, the standard of living the child would have enjoyed, and similar factors. The parent asking to depart from the guideline number carries the burden of showing why a different amount is appropriate, and the court must put written reasons for any deviation in the order.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in Minnesota?

Minnesota uses the Income Shares model under Minn. Stat. ch. 518A. The court adds both parents' monthly gross incomes together, a figure the state calls Parental Income for Determining Child Support, or PICS. It then looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that combined income and the number of children. That basic obligation is prorated between the parents based on each parent's percentage share of the combined income. Medical support, child-care costs, and a parenting-expense adjustment for overnights are layered on top. Our calculator estimates this, but the official Minnesota worksheet and your court order control.

Is there an official Minnesota child support worksheet or calculator I should use?

Yes. The Minnesota Department of Human Services provides the official online child support calculator at childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us, run through the Minnesota Child Support Enforcement Division. That worksheet is the controlling form. It walks through both parents' gross incomes, the guideline schedule, the parenting-expense adjustment, and the medical and child-care add-ons under Minn. Stat. ch. 518A. The estimate on this page is meant to give you a quick ballpark before you sit down with the official tool. For any figure you plan to file or rely on, use the state calculator and, ideally, have a licensed Minnesota attorney review it.

How do overnights and a shared 50/50 schedule change support in Minnesota?

Minnesota applies a parenting-expense adjustment tied to how many overnights each parent has, so parenting time is built right into the math under Minn. Stat. ch. 518A. The more overnights a parent has, the smaller that parent's share of the basic obligation tends to be, because the guideline assumes they are already paying more of the child's daily costs. For schedules that are close to even, the state uses a shared-care formula. A roughly 50/50 split usually lowers the higher earner's payment but rarely cancels it out if incomes differ. The official calculator applies these rules precisely.

What counts as income for Minnesota child support?

Minnesota uses gross income from nearly any source to build its Parental Income for Determining Child Support figure. That includes wages and salaries, self-employment net earnings, severance pay, pensions and retirement, Social Security benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and significant gifts. Overtime and bonuses generally count as part of gross income too, since the rule reaches income from any source. For a self-employed parent, the court starts from net business earnings rather than gross receipts. Because so many categories count, the income figure can be larger than a single pay stub suggests, which is one reason to run real numbers through the official state calculator.

What happens if a parent in Minnesota is unemployed or hiding income?

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, a Minnesota court can impute income, meaning it bases support on what that parent could reasonably earn rather than what they currently report. Because the Income Shares model under Minn. Stat. ch. 518A depends on both parents' gross incomes, a parent cannot lower a payment just by quitting a job or working below their ability. Judges look at work history, education, earning capacity, and job availability. The Minnesota Child Support Enforcement Division also has tools to locate income and assets. This is general information, and an attorney can help you address imputation in your specific case.

How can I change a Minnesota child support order, and when do the courts allow it?

You can change a Minnesota order by filing a motion to modify in district court or requesting an administrative review through the Child Support Enforcement Division. Minnesota presumes a substantial change in circumstances when there is at least a 20 percent and a minimum 75 dollar per month difference between your current order and what the guideline would produce now. Big shifts in either parent's income, the cost of the child's health insurance or daycare, or a change in the parenting schedule can trigger that gap. Until a judge or the agency actually changes the order, the existing amount stays in force, so file promptly.

When does child support end in Minnesota, and how are unpaid amounts collected?

In Minnesota, child support typically ends when the child turns 18, but it can continue to age 20 if the child is still attending secondary school. Support for a disabled adult child may continue as well. Past-due support, called arrears, does not disappear when current support ends. The Minnesota Child Support Enforcement Division collects through immediate income withholding, tax refund intercepts, driver's and professional license suspension, lien filings, credit reporting, and contempt proceedings. Orders can also be enforced when a parent moves to another state. This page gives general information only, so consult a licensed Minnesota attorney about your specific obligation or arrears.