How Pennsylvania Calculates Child Support
Pennsylvania uses the Income Shares model to determine child support obligations. This page explains the guidelines, formula, and key factors.
Model Type
Income Shares
Income-shares model based on combined monthly net income and number of children per Pa. R.C.P. 1910.16; net income is gross minus taxes, FICA, mandatory deductions; each parent's obligation prorated by income share; adjusted for substantial/equal custody and add-ons.
Income Basis & Definitions
net
Selects the base-support amount from the schedule in Rule 1910.16-3.
Source: Pa. R.C.P. 1910.16-3: Schedule of basic child supportParenting Time Handling
Calculator applies substantial or equal (shared) custody adjustment per Rule 1910.16-4.
Source: Pa. R.C.P. 1910.16-4: Custody/parenting time adjustmentPercentage of overnights or custody time with each parent.
Source: Custody time percentageDeductions & Adjustments
Preexisting support obligations deducted from net income.
Source: Other support obligationsSpousal support/alimony adjusts net income.
Source: Spousal support/APL adjustmentAdd-Ons & Allocation
Net childcare costs allocated between parents per Rule 1910.16-6.
Source: Pa. R.C.P. 1910.16-6: Childcare add-onHealth insurance premium and unreimbursed medical expenses per Rule 1910.16-6.
Source: Pa. R.C.P. 1910.16-6: Medical expensesCaps, Minimums & Deviations
Schedule caps at combined net income level; above-cap at court discretion per Rule 1910.16-3.1.
Source: Maximum schedule incomeDeviation allowed per Rule 1910.16-5; requires specific findings.
Source: Pa. R.C.P. 1910.16-5: Deviation criteria