South Dakota Child Support Calculator
Estimate South Dakota child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under S.D. Codified Laws § 25-7-6.1 et seq.. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.
South Dakota follows the Income Shares model under S.D. Codified Laws § 25-7-6.1 et seq.. 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.
South Dakota uses a shared-care formula, so parenting time can change the support number once a parent has the children for a meaningful portion of the year. When a parent has enough overnights to qualify, the court adjusts each parent's share of the basic obligation to reflect the time the children spend in each home. A standard schedule with one primary parent usually does not trigger a large shared-care adjustment. The calculator on this page only estimates the effect, and the official South Dakota worksheet controls how overnights are scored.
In South Dakota the cost of the child's health insurance premium is treated as an add-on to the basic support obligation. The premium one parent pays to cover the children is divided between both parents in the same percentages they share the combined income. South Dakota law also lets a parent deduct dependent health insurance when figuring net monthly income, so the same premium can affect the calculation in more than one place. The official worksheet shows exactly where the premium is entered.
Work-related child care and daycare costs are an add-on in South Dakota, not part of the basic schedule amount. Reasonable child care a parent pays so they can work is added to the support obligation and split between the parents according to their income shares. Because these costs are extra, the day care number you enter changes the final support figure beyond the basic guideline amount. Keep receipts and provider statements, because the court and the South Dakota Division of Child Support will want proof of the actual cost.
South Dakota guideline support under S.D. Codified Laws section 25-7-6.1 is presumed correct, but a judge may deviate when applying the guideline number would be unfair or not in the child's best interest. Factors can include the child's special needs, extraordinary expenses, or other obligations of a parent. The parent who wants a different number carries the burden of proving the deviation is justified, and the court must put written reasons on the record. This page estimates the guideline amount only and cannot predict whether a judge will deviate.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in South Dakota?
South Dakota follows the Income Shares model under S.D. Codified Laws section 25-7-6.1 and the sections that follow. The court adds together both parents' monthly incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state guideline schedule for that income level and the number of children, then splits that obligation between the parents based on each parent's percentage share of the combined income. The parent who has the children less of the time generally pays their share to the other parent. Add-ons like health insurance and child care are then layered on. The calculator here gives an estimate, but the official South Dakota worksheet and a judge set the actual amount.
Is there an official South Dakota child support worksheet I should use?
Yes. South Dakota provides an official guideline calculator and worksheet through the Department of Social Services at apps.sd.gov, and it is the controlling form for setting support. The worksheet walks through both parents' net monthly income, the basic obligation from the state schedule, each parent's income share, and add-ons such as health insurance and day care. The number it produces is what the court presumes is correct. The estimator on this page is a quick preview to help you plan, but you should complete the official South Dakota worksheet, and a licensed attorney can confirm the result for your case.
Does South Dakota use gross or net income to figure support?
South Dakota works from net monthly income. You start with gross income from all sources and then subtract certain items: federal and state taxes, FICA, mandatory retirement contributions, mandatory union dues, the cost of dependent health insurance, and any existing court-ordered support you already pay. What is left is the net monthly income used to combine the parents' figures and look up the basic obligation. Because the deductions are specific, two parents with the same paycheck can end up with different net income. The official worksheet from the South Dakota Division of Child Support lists each allowed deduction, and the calculator here only approximates them.
How are bonuses, overtime, and self-employment income counted in South Dakota?
South Dakota figures support from income from all sources, so bonuses, overtime, commissions, and self-employment earnings generally count as part of gross income before the allowed deductions are taken. For a self-employed parent, the court typically uses income after ordinary and necessary business expenses, not gross receipts, which can require tax returns and profit and loss records. Irregular income like seasonal overtime may be averaged so the figure is realistic. Because self-employment income can be disputed, expect the South Dakota Division of Child Support or the judge to ask for documentation. The estimate on this page is only as accurate as the income numbers you enter.
What happens if a parent is unemployed or underemployed in South Dakota?
If a South Dakota judge finds that a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court can impute income, meaning it sets support based on what that parent could reasonably earn rather than what they actually report. The court looks at work history, education, training, and job opportunities in the area. This keeps a parent from lowering support by quitting a job or taking far less pay without a good reason. A parent who is genuinely unable to work, such as for a documented disability, is treated differently. Imputed income is a fact question for the court, and this calculator cannot decide whether income should be imputed in your case.
When does child support end in South Dakota?
In South Dakota child support generally continues until the child turns 18. It can extend to age 19 if the child is still attending secondary school full time, so support does not cut off mid year while a child finishes high school. Support for a disabled adult child may continue beyond those ages in appropriate cases. Reaching the ending age does not erase any past-due support, which remains owed and collectible. If you have more than one child on an order, the amount usually does not automatically drop when the oldest ages out, so you may need to ask the court to recalculate the remaining obligation.
How do I change a South Dakota child support order?
To change support you file a motion to modify in circuit court or request a review through the South Dakota Division of Child Support. South Dakota generally supports modification when there is at least a 20 percent difference between your existing order and a fresh guideline calculation, or through a periodic review that is available about every three years. A change in income, parenting time, or the children's needs can be the reason. Support does not change on its own, so keep paying the current order until the court enters a new one. Use this calculator to see whether your guideline number has shifted enough to be worth filing.