FamilyLawFinder

How South Carolina Calculates Child Support

South Carolina 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 gross monthly income and number of children per S.C. Code § 63-17-470 and DSS Regulation 114-4720; each parent's obligation prorated by income share; adjusted for custody and add-ons (childcare, health insurance).

Income Basis & Definitions

Income Basis:

gross

Number Of Children On Order

Selects the base-support amount from the South Carolina schedule.

Source: S.C. Code § 63-17-470: Schedule of basic support obligations
Parent A Income

Parent A gross monthly income.

Source: Gross income definition
Parent B Income

Parent B gross monthly income.

Source: Gross income definition

Parenting Time Handling

Custody Type Or Worksheet Selection

Calculator applies shared/split custody adjustment.

Source: Shared/split custody adjustment
Parenting Time Input

Number of overnights per year for shared custody adjustment.

Source: Parenting time input

Deductions & Adjustments

Other Child Support Or Dependents Adjustment

Preexisting court-ordered support for other children.

Source: Other children adjustment
Spousal Support Adjustment

Alimony paid adjusts gross income.

Source: Alimony adjustment

Add-Ons & Allocation

Work Related Childcare Costs

Childcare costs allocated between parents.

Source: Childcare costs
Child Health Insurance And Uninsured Medical

Health insurance and extraordinary medical expense allocation.

Source: Medical support

Caps, Minimums & Deviations

Income Cap And Above Cap Handling

Schedule caps at combined income; above-cap at court discretion.

Source: Maximum schedule income
Deviation Factors And Findings

Deviation allowed for specific criteria per S.C. Code § 63-17-470.

Source: Deviation criteria

Try the Calculator

Use our South Carolina child support calculator to estimate your obligation.

Official Sources

South Carolina Code § 63-17-470 (Child Support Guidelines)