Ohio Child Support Calculator

Estimate Ohio child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under Ohio Rev. Code § 3119.021. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

Ohio follows the Income Shares model under Ohio Rev. Code § 3119.021. 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.

Ohio does not automatically lower the support number for each overnight the way a pure formula state does. Instead, parenting time is treated as a deviation factor under Ohio Rev. Code 3119.021. Parenting time of 90 or more overnights, or a shared parenting order, can support a deviation from the guideline amount. A judge decides whether more parenting time justifies adjusting the number, so extra overnights do not guarantee a change without a court finding.

In Ohio, the cost of the child's health insurance premium is built into the support calculation as an adjustment. The parent who provides the coverage gets credit for the child's portion of the premium, and that cost is factored into the combined obligation that the parents share. Because Ohio uses the Income Shares model, this expense is generally divided between the parents in proportion to each parent's share of the combined gross income.

Work-related child care and daycare costs are treated as an adjustment in the Ohio guideline calculation. When a parent pays for child care so they can work, that expense is added into the overall support computation rather than being paid entirely by one parent. Following the Income Shares approach, the cost is shared between the parents according to each parent's percentage of the combined gross income, so both parents typically contribute to daycare.

An Ohio judge starts with the guideline number produced under Ohio Rev. Code 3119.021, which the law presumes is correct. The court may deviate when applying the guideline amount would be unjust, inappropriate, or not in the child's best interest. Recognized factors include parenting time of 90 or more overnights, shared parenting orders, and other special circumstances. The parent asking for a deviation must show why the guideline figure should change, and the court must put its reasons in writing.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in Ohio?

Ohio uses the Income Shares model under Ohio Rev. Code 3119.021, administered with help from the Ohio Office of Child Support within the Department of Job and Family Services. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that combined income and the number of children, then prorates that obligation between the parents by each parent's percentage share of the combined income. Adjustments for health insurance, child care, and parenting time are then applied. The calculator on this page gives an estimate only, not legal advice, and the official worksheet controls the final number.

Is there an official Ohio child support worksheet I should rely on?

Yes. Ohio's guideline figure is produced by an official worksheet built into Ohio Rev. Code 3119.021, and that worksheet is the controlling form a court uses. The Ohio Office of Child Support also provides an official child support calculator through the Department of Job and Family Services. Any estimate from this page is a starting point to help you understand the numbers, but it cannot replace the official worksheet. For your actual case, rely on the state's worksheet and consider having a licensed Ohio attorney review your figures before you file or agree to an amount.

What income counts when figuring Ohio child support?

Ohio bases support on gross income from nearly every source. Under the guideline rules, that includes salary, wages, commissions, self-employment earnings, bonuses, severance, royalties, dividends, interest, rental income, Social Security, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and recurring gifts. Because the Income Shares model combines both parents' gross incomes, a high earner and a lower earner are both accounted for in the same calculation. If your income changes seasonally or includes irregular bonuses, the court may average it. This page's estimate depends on the income you enter, so accurate gross income figures matter, and the official worksheet controls.

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

In Ohio, equal or shared parenting does not automatically erase a support obligation. The guideline number under Ohio Rev. Code 3119.021 is calculated first, and parenting time is then treated as a deviation factor. Parenting time of 90 or more overnights or a shared parenting order can support a deviation from the guideline amount. A judge decides whether the shared arrangement justifies adjusting the number and must explain that decision in writing. So even in a true 50/50 split, support may still be owed unless the court finds a deviation is appropriate.

Can the court impute income to an unemployed or underemployed parent in Ohio?

Yes. If an Ohio court finds a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, it can impute income, meaning it assigns earning ability based on what that parent could reasonably make. Because Ohio support runs on gross income under the Income Shares model, imputed income is folded into the combined figure used on the guideline schedule. The court looks at work history, education, skills, and local job availability. This prevents a parent from lowering support by quitting or taking less work on purpose. The calculator here cannot decide imputed income, so the official worksheet and the court control that finding.

When does child support end in Ohio?

Ohio child support generally ends when the child turns 18. However, it continues up to age 19 if the child is still continuously attending an accredited high school full time, so a teen who turns 18 before graduating may keep receiving support until they finish or reach 19. Ohio also allows continuing support for a disabled adult child in appropriate cases. Support does not automatically stop on a birthday in every situation, so check your order and confirm the termination date with the Ohio Office of Child Support or an attorney rather than assuming.

How do I modify an existing Ohio child support order?

To change an Ohio order, you file a motion in the domestic relations or juvenile court that issued it, or you request a review through your local Child Support Enforcement Agency. Ohio uses a clear trigger: a 10 percent variance between your existing order and a new guideline calculation creates a presumption of a substantial change of circumstances. That presumption supports modifying the amount. Enforcement tools such as income withholding, tax intercept, license suspension, liens, credit reporting, and contempt referrals continue while a case is open. Use this page to estimate whether your situation might cross that 10 percent line, then confirm with the official worksheet.