Arizona calculates child support using the Arizona Child Support Guidelines, which follow an income shares model that combines both parents’ incomes. The court then adjusts the result for parenting time, health insurance, and childcare costs. The final number is presumed correct unless a judge finds it unjust. A family law attorney can help make sure the inputs are accurate.
Arizona calculates child support using a statewide formula set by the Arizona Supreme Court and the financial details of both parents. The formula is designed to give children roughly the same share of parental income they would have received if the family lived together. Because small changes in income or parenting time can shift the result significantly, understanding each step helps you check whether a proposed amount is fair.
The Income Shares Model Arizona Uses
Arizona calculates support under A.R.S. Section 25-320 and the Arizona Child Support Guidelines. The current guidelines apply to orders entered on or after January 1, 2022, and the Arizona Supreme Court reviews them every four years, so confirm that no updated version has taken effect before relying on any estimate.
The guidelines use the income shares model. Rather than looking only at the paying parent’s income, the court adds both parents’ incomes together, determines what the children would need at that combined income level, and then divides the obligation between the parents in proportion to what each earns. The amount produced by the guidelines is presumed to be the correct child support order.
Step 1: Determine Each Parent’s Gross Income
The calculation starts with each parent’s gross monthly income from nearly all sources before taxes. That can include wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, overtime in some circumstances, self-employment earnings, rental income, and certain benefits. Self-employed parents often face the closest scrutiny, since business expenses must be reasonable and necessary to be deducted.
If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may attribute income based on what that parent could reasonably earn. Arizona generally presumes a parent can earn at least full-time minimum wage, although exceptions apply in certain situations. Disputes over reported income are among the most common reasons parents seek help from a Mesa child support attorney.
Step 2: Make Adjustments to Income
Next, the court adjusts gross income for certain obligations. Common adjustments include spousal maintenance actually paid, court-ordered support paid for children from another relationship, and an allowance for other natural or adopted children living in the parent’s home. If spousal maintenance is part of your case, our overview of how spousal maintenance is calculated in a Mesa divorce explains how that piece fits in.
Step 3: Find the Basic Support Obligation
The parents’ adjusted incomes are added together, and the combined figure is matched against the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations based on the number of children. The schedule reflects what families at each income level typically spend on children. For combined incomes above the top of the schedule, the court may consider whether a higher amount is appropriate. For a closer look at the factors used in the formula, see how child support is calculated in Mesa
Step 4: Add Health Insurance, Childcare, and Other Costs
Several costs are added to the basic obligation and shared between the parents:
- Premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance covering the children.
- Reasonable work-related or education-related childcare expenses.
- Extraordinary education expenses or costs related to a child with special needs, where the court finds them appropriate.
The guidelines also address how uninsured medical expenses are divided, which often becomes a point of disagreement after the order is entered.
Step 5: Adjust for Parenting Time
Parenting time directly affects the final number. The guidelines count parenting time days and apply an adjustment that reduces the paying parent’s share as that parent’s time with the children increases. Specific provisions handle equal or nearly equal schedules and often result in much lower support, although support can still be owed when incomes differ. Because the parenting plan and support are so closely linked, it makes sense to address them together with a Mesa child custody attorney. You can also learn more about how support and parenting time interact.
Step 6: Apply the Self-Support Reserve and Consider Deviations
The guidelines include a self-support reserve test designed to leave a low-income paying parent with enough to meet basic needs. After the calculation is complete, the court may deviate from the guideline amount only if it finds that applying the guidelines would be inappropriate or unjust and explains its reasoning in writing. Parents can also agree to a different amount, but the court still must approve it.
Arizona Child Support Calculation at a Glance
Step | What the Court Considers | Common Issues |
|---|---|---|
Gross income | Wages, bonuses, self-employment, and other income of both parents | Underreported income, attributed income |
Income adjustments | Spousal maintenance paid, other child support, other children in the home | Missing or undocumented obligations |
Basic obligation | Combined adjusted income and number of children on the schedule | Incomes above the schedule range |
Added costs | Health insurance premiums, childcare, extraordinary expenses | Disputed or unverified childcare costs |
Parenting time | Number of parenting time days each parent has | Miscounted days, schedules not followed |
Final review | Self-support reserve and any requested deviation | Whether the amount is unjust |
Local Considerations for Mesa and the East Valley
Child support cases for Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and most Phoenix families are handled by the Maricopa County Superior Court, which operates a regional court center in Mesa. Families in San Tan Valley are generally in Pinal County Superior Court instead, so the filing location and local procedures differ. Parents in that area can learn more from our San Tan Valley child support attorney page.
The Arizona courts offer an online child support calculator that uses the guidelines, and it is a helpful starting point. The calculator, however, is only as accurate as the information entered, and it cannot resolve disputes about income, expenses, or parenting time.
Not Sure the Numbers in Your Case Are Right?
A single incorrect income figure or parenting time count can change support by hundreds of dollars a month. Attorney Dexton H. Nye, a former prosecutor who serves clients in English and Spanish, reviews each input so your order reflects your real circumstances. As client Flor Peraza wrote, he “took the time to explain and always responded quickly.” Call 480-253-9065 or schedule a consultation.
When Child Support Can Be Changed or Enforced
Either parent can ask the court to change support when there has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income or parenting time. Arizona also offers a simplified modification process when the new calculation would differ from the current order by at least 15 percent. Our page on modifying child support covers the process in more detail. When a parent stops paying, the court and state agencies have several tools available, and a lawyer can help you enforce child support.
In Arizona, support generally continues until a child turns 18, or until high school graduation if the child is still enrolled, but not beyond age 19. Support for an adult child with a severe disability may continue in some cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support in Arizona
What formula does Arizona use to calculate child support?
Arizona uses the income shares model under the Arizona Child Support Guidelines. Arizona combines both parents’ incomes, finds a basic obligation on the state schedule, and divides the amount in proportion to each parent’s income.
Does 50/50 custody mean no child support in Arizona?
Not always. Equal parenting time usually lowers support significantly, but a higher-income parent may still owe support to the other parent.
Can the court use income I am not actually earning?
Yes. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court can attribute income based on what that parent could reasonably earn.
Is health insurance included in Arizona child support?
Yes. The cost of medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums for the children is added to the calculation and shared between the parents.
When does child support end in Arizona?
Support generally ends when a child turns 18 or graduates from high school, but not later than age 19. Support for a severely disabled adult child may continue.
How often can child support be modified in Arizona?
There is no fixed limit, but a parent must show a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. A simplified process is available when the new amount would differ by at least 15 percent.
What Happens When You Call Nye Family Law
When you call 480-253-9065, our office will take down basic information about your situation and schedule a consultation with attorney Dexton H. Nye, available in English or Spanish. He will ask about both parents’ incomes, your current or proposed parenting schedule, and any health insurance or childcare costs. You will leave the conversation understanding how the guidelines apply to your family and what your next steps should be.
Get Help Calculating Child Support in Mesa
Whether you are establishing support for the first time or questioning an existing order, Nye Family Law, PLLC helps parents throughout Mesa and the East Valley make sure the guidelines are applied correctly. Attorney Dexton H. Nye brings a former prosecutor’s attention to detail and serves clients in both English and Spanish, and clients consistently note how clearly he explains the process. Call 480-253-9065 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.