Massachusetts Child Support Calculator

Use this free calculator to estimate child support under the 2025 Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines, which took effect December 1, 2025. Enter each parent's income and costs below to see the presumptive weekly support order.

This calculator attempts to follow the official Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (CJD 304) used by Massachusetts courts. It handles all three parenting arrangements recognized by the guidelines: primary residence with one parent, shared parenting, and split custody situations.

How Massachusetts Calculates Child Support

Massachusetts uses an income shares model to determine child support. Both parents' incomes are combined, then each parent's share of the total support obligation is calculated based on their percentage of combined income. The parent who doesn't have primary custody (or the higher-earning parent in shared arrangements) typically pays their share to the other parent.

The calculation accounts for several factors beyond base income, including health insurance costs for the children, childcare expenses, dental and vision coverage, and existing support obligations for other children. The guidelines also include specific adjustments for children who are 18 or older and provisions for families with combined income above $450,000 per year.

Understanding Your Results

The number this calculator produces is the "presumptive" child support order. This means Massachusetts courts will generally order this amount unless there are reasons to deviate from the guidelines. Judges have discretion to adjust support up or down based on factors like:

A child's special needs or extraordinary medical expenses
Significant parenting time that falls between the standard categories
Other circumstances that make the presumptive order unjust or inappropriate

If the calculated support equals or exceeds 40% of the paying parent's available income, the guidelines recognize a rebuttable presumption of substantial hardship. This flags the case for closer judicial review but does not automatically reduce the order.

What You'll Need to Use This Calculator

Before you begin, gather the following information for both parents:

Gross weekly income (before taxes and deductions)
Weekly cost of health insurance attributable
Weekly cost of dental and/or vision insurance
Weekly childcare costs for the children covered by this order
Any existing child support obligations being paid for other children

If either parent receives Social Security disability or retirement benefits that generate dependency payments for the children, you'll also need those amounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this calculator accurate?

This calculator replicates the logic of the official Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines Worksheet. It uses the same income brackets, adjustment factors, and formulas. However, actual court orders may differ based on case-specific circumstances, judicial discretion, or factors not captured by the worksheet.

Do I need a lawyer to calculate child support?

You can use this calculator on your own to get an estimate. However, child support often intersects with other issues like alimony and parenting plans. An attorney can help you understand how these pieces fit together and whether deviation from the guidelines might be appropriate in your situation.

What if our combined income is over $450,000 per year?

The guidelines cap the income used for the standard calculation at $8,654 per week ($450,000 annually). For combined income above this threshold, the court has discretion to order additional support based on the children's needs and the family's standard of living. This calculator flags when you're above the cap but doesn't calculate discretionary amounts.

What's the difference between the parenting arrangements?

Primary residence (Box 2): Children live with one parent approximately two-thirds of the time or more. This is the most common arrangement.
Shared parenting (Box 1): Parents share parenting time and financial responsibility approximately equally.
Split custody (Box 3): Each parent is the primary residential parent for at least one child.

How often do the guidelines change?

The Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines are reviewed every four years. The current guidelines took effect December 1, 2025. If you're dealing with an order entered before this date, the previous guidelines may have applied at the time of the original calculation.

Need Help With Child Support in Massachusetts?

Calculating support is one step. Negotiating an agreement, understanding how support interacts with alimony, or modifying an existing order often requires experienced legal guidance.

Attorney Tyler Summers helps clients in Boston, Needham, Newton, Wellesley, Cambridge, and throughout Massachusetts navigate child support matters as part of divorce and family law cases. Whether you're working toward an agreement or preparing for court, Tyler can help you understand your options.

Disclaimer: This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and doesn't constitute legal advice. Child support determinations involve case-specific factors that a calculator cannot fully address. Results should be considered estimates. For guidance on your specific situation, consult with a Massachusetts family law attorney.