What Is the Income Shares Model for Child Support?
When parents separate or divorce, one of the biggest questions is: how do we make sure the children are supported financially? Many states use something called the Income Shares Model to answer that question.
How It Works
The Income Shares Model is built on one simple idea: children should get the same share of both parents’ money that they would have if their parents were still living together.
Here’s the process in plain language:
Add up both parents’ incomes. This shows the “family pot.”
Check the state’s chart. Each state has guidelines that say how much families with that combined income typically spend on their kids.
Split the responsibility. Each parent is responsible for a piece of that amount, based on the percentage of income they earn.
A Simple Example
Let’s say:
Parent A makes $60,000 a year.
Parent B makes $40,000 a year.
Together, they make $100,000.
The state chart might say that raising two kids at that income level usually costs about $20,000 per year. Parent A earns 60% of the total income, so they’re responsible for 60% of that $20,000. Parent B earns 40%, so they cover 40%.
Even if one parent is paying child support to the other, the law sees it as both parents sharing the responsibility in line with their earnings.
What States Use the Income Shares Model?
Most states now use this system. States that use the Income Shares Model include:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C.
In short: the majority of states follow this model.
Why States Use This Model
The Income Shares Model is considered fairer because it:
Reflects what children would have had if their parents lived together.
Takes into account both parents’ incomes, not just one.
Adjusts if children spend significant time with each parent.
This is a simple overview, not legal advice. Exact numbers vary by state, and judges can make adjustments based on specific circumstances. Always check your state’s official guidelines or talk to a lawyer for your situation.