Arizona Child Support Calculator (2026 Guidelines)
Get an instant estimate based on Arizona’s 2026 Child Support Guidelines, then get your court-ready documents professionally prepared — without paying $3,000+ in attorney fees.
Arizona Child Support Calculator (2026)
Estimate your monthly child support using Arizona's 2026 guidelines. Then get court-ready documents prepared by a Certified Legal Document Preparer.
Estimated Monthly Child Support
✓ Arizona Supreme Court Certified CLDP #81830 & #81440
✓ Two Offices — Gilbert & Mesa
✓ 5-Star Rated on Google | Over 12 Years of Experience
Get Your Documents Started — Free Consultation
Call 602.892.2218
Why Work With Dynasty Legal Documents
You have three options when you need to file for child support in Arizona:
Option 1: Hire a family law attorney — typical cost $3,000 to $8,000+ for a contested case, hourly rates of $300-$500.
Option 2: Try to do it yourself with forms from Maricopa County’s Self Service Center. Free, but you’re on your own for formatting, filing, and procedural accuracy. One mistake means rejected paperwork and delays.
Option 3: Work with a Certified Legal Document Preparer (CLDP) — affordable, professional preparation of every document you need, done right the first time.
Dynasty Legal Documents is Arizona Supreme Court certified (CLDP #81830 and #81440). We’re not attorneys and we don’t give legal advice — but we prepare court-ready documents for Arizona families every day, at a fraction of attorney pricing. Melissa Moy has over a decade of experience preparing family law documents, and our 5-star Google reviews speak for themselves.
What we prepare for child support cases:
- Petition for Child Support (new orders)
- Petition to Modify Child Support (existing orders)
- Child Support Worksheet (the form the court actually requires)
- Parenting Plan
- Income Withholding Order
- Response to Petition for Child Support
- Post-decree enforcement paperwork
We’ll meet with you at our Gilbert office (1539 W. Elliot Rd, Ste 103) or Mesa office (7510 E. Main Street), walk through your situation, run your exact numbers, and file your complete document package with the Clerk of Superior Court once approved.
Call 602.892.2218 or request a free consultation.
How Arizona Calculates Child Support
Arizona uses the Income Shares Model, which is based on the idea that a child should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents lived together. The state updated its guidelines in January 2026, and those are the numbers our calculator uses.
Here’s how Arizona determines your child support obligation — in plain English:
Step 1: Combine both parents’ gross monthly income. This includes wages, self-employment income, bonuses, commissions, rental income, and most other regular income sources. It does not include public assistance, food stamps, or SSI.
Step 2: Apply adjustments. The court subtracts allowable expenses like pre-existing child support orders, spousal maintenance paid or received, and costs for supporting other biological children.
Step 3: Find the basic support obligation. Arizona publishes a Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations that tells the court the total amount parents should spend on the child based on combined income and number of children.
Step 4: Calculate each parent’s share. If Parent A earns 60% of the combined income, they’re responsible for 60% of the basic support obligation.
Step 5: Adjust for parenting time. The more overnight visits a parent has, the lower their child support payment. Arizona uses a specific parenting time adjustment table — this is where our calculator often differs from oversimplified online tools.
Step 6: Add extras. Health insurance premiums, childcare costs, and extraordinary expenses (like private school, when court-ordered) are split proportionally.
The result is the monthly child support amount the non-primary parent pays.
Important: The calculator on this page provides an estimate based on the 2026 guidelines. The actual court-ordered amount may vary based on deviations the judge finds appropriate under A.R.S. § 25-320. For a court-ready child support worksheet and petition, contact Dynasty Legal Documents at 602.892.2218.
The court provides detailed information in order to give you the tools necessary to calculate child support on your own.
The Child Support Calculator is an interactive program that will calculate a child support amount based on the Arizona Child Support Guidelines.
You will need to have the following information in order to calculate child support:
- Children’s names and dates of birth
- Child support income of both parents
- Spousal maintenance paid or received resulting from this marriage
- Court-ordered child support for children of other relationships
- Medical, dental and vision insurance costs for children only
- Extra education expenses paid
- Extraordinary child expenses paid
- Parenting time days per year, if not equal parenting time
- Court-ordered arrears paid by the parent paying child support
The parties can also agree to deviate from the child support guidelines. Additional language will need to be included in your court documents in order to obtain a deviation and will need to be approved by the Judge. Dynasty Legal Documents can draft your documents so they are in compliance with the latest rules and laws.
Child Support can be paid in different ways such as through the Child Support Clearinghouse, through an Income Withholding Order and/or directly to the person receiving the support.
“The purpose of the child support calculator is informational and educational only and does not constitute legal advice. The amount of child support a court will order for any particular case may be different from the amount estimated by the calculator. The court has the final authority to determine the amount of child support awarded. The amount yielded by this calculator is only an estimate and is not a guarantee of the amount of child support that will be awarded.” (About the Child Support Calculator)
DIRECT LINKS ARE PROVIDED BELOW FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE:
Child Support Guidelines: child-support-guidelines-2022.pdf
Child Support Calculator: Child Support Calculator
Department of Economic Security IPayOnline: iPayOnline
Child Support Worksheet forms: How to Calculate Child Support in Maricopa County, Arizona
Self Service Child Support: Child Support & Family Law Information
Child Support Calculator Information: Child Support Calculator
NOTICE: We cannot work with individuals that are currently working with an attorney.
What Affects Your Child Support Amount
Several factors push your payment up or down. Understanding them helps you estimate more accurately and plan for the conversation with your co-parent.
Factors That Typically Increase Child Support
- Higher gross monthly income (your income is the single biggest factor)
- More children from the relationship
- Fewer overnight parenting time days per year
- Your share of health insurance premiums for the child
- Work-related childcare costs you pay
- Court-ordered private school tuition or extraordinary medical costs
Factors That Typically Decrease Child Support
- More overnight parenting time days (especially above 143 nights/year)
- Support obligations for other biological children
- Spousal maintenance you are paying to a former spouse
- Shared health insurance or childcare costs
- Lower gross monthly income or verified reduction in earning capacity
What Doesn’t Count in the Calculation
Parents often ask if new spouse income, step-children, or a second job count. Generally, Arizona courts do not include new spouse income in the base calculation. Voluntary income reduction — quitting a good job to pay less — is usually added back in as “attributed income” under A.R.S. § 25-320(N).
Parenting Time Adjustment (The Big One)
This is the most misunderstood piece of the Arizona calculation, and where oversimplified calculators get it wrong.
Arizona adjusts child support based on the number of overnight visits the paying parent has with the child each year. The more overnights, the lower the child support obligation — because that parent is already spending more directly on the child.
| Parenting Time (Overnights/Year) | Approximate Adjustment |
|---|---|
| 0-3 overnights | No reduction |
| 4-20 overnights | Small reduction |
| 21-38 overnights | Modest reduction |
| 39-57 overnights | Meaningful reduction |
| 58-87 overnights | Significant reduction |
| 88-115 overnights | Large reduction |
| 116-130 overnights | Very large reduction |
| 131-142 overnights | Near-equal |
| 143-182 overnights (near 50/50) | Uses presumption of equal parenting time |
The threshold that matters most is 143 overnights. At or above that number, Arizona courts presume roughly equal parenting time and the calculation shifts to a different formula.
Accurately counting overnights is critical. Courts want to see actual time spent, not the language in the parenting plan. If you’re not sure how your proposed parenting plan translates to overnights, we can help you count it correctly before filing.
When Should You Modify an Existing Child Support Order
Life changes. Arizona lets you modify an existing child support order when circumstances change substantially. Under A.R.S. § 25-327, you must generally show one of the following:
- A change in either parent’s income of 15% or more
- A significant change in parenting time
- A change in health insurance or childcare costs
- A child reaching the age of majority (18, or 19 if still in high school)
- Either parent losing a job, going on disability, or experiencing a major income event
If your current order was entered more than three years ago and the new calculation produces a number that differs from the current order by at least 15%, you may qualify for modification under the “simplified” procedure.
We prepare modification petitions regularly. Call 602.892.2218 if any of the above apply to you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Child Support
How is child support calculated in Arizona?
Arizona uses the Income Shares Model. Both parents’ gross monthly incomes are combined, the state’s Schedule of Basic Support Obligations determines the total amount to be spent on the child, and each parent pays their proportional share. The amount is then adjusted for parenting time, health insurance, and childcare costs. The final number is what the non-primary parent pays monthly.
How much is child support in Arizona for one kid?
There is no single answer — it depends entirely on combined parental income and parenting time. For a combined gross monthly income of $5,000, one child, and standard parenting time, the basic support obligation is typically around $850-$950 per month, split between the parents based on their income share. Use the calculator above for your specific numbers.
Does Arizona child support include healthcare?
Yes. Health insurance premiums for the child are added to the basic support obligation and split proportionally between parents. If one parent carries the child on their employer’s plan, they receive credit for the premium in the calculation.
How does parenting time affect child support in Arizona?
The more overnight visits the paying parent has, the lower the child support amount. Arizona adjusts the obligation based on a 9-tier parenting time table. At 143+ overnights per year, the court presumes roughly equal parenting time and uses a modified formula.
Can I modify an Arizona child support order?
Yes, under A.R.S. § 25-327, if there has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances — typically a 15% or greater change in income, significant change in parenting time, or a change in healthcare or childcare costs. Orders older than three years may qualify for simplified modification if the recalculated amount differs by at least 15%.
How much does child support cost per month in Arizona?
The median child support order in Arizona falls between $450 and $900 per month for one child, but the range is wide. High-income cases can exceed $2,500 per month. Low-income obligors pay less, though Arizona has a minimum support obligation floor.
Is child support taxable in Arizona?
No. Child support payments are not taxable income to the receiving parent, and they are not tax-deductible for the paying parent. This has been federal tax law since 2019.
What happens if I don’t pay child support in Arizona?
Arizona enforces child support aggressively through the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS). Enforcement includes wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension (driver’s, professional, hunting/fishing), passport denial, credit bureau reporting, and in extreme cases, contempt of court and jail time.
Do I need a lawyer to file for child support in Arizona?
No. Arizona allows parents to represent themselves (called “pro per” or “pro se”). Most uncontested child support cases can be handled with court-ready documents prepared by a Certified Legal Document Preparer, saving thousands of dollars compared to hiring a family law attorney.
What’s the difference between a lawyer and a Certified Legal Document Preparer?
A Certified Legal Document Preparer (CLDP) is licensed by the Arizona Supreme Court to prepare legal documents for people representing themselves. We cannot give legal advice or represent you in court, but we prepare every document accurately, file-ready, at a fraction of attorney cost. Attorneys can advise and represent — and they charge $300-$500 per hour for it. For straightforward child support cases, a CLDP is the cost-effective choice.
Ready to Get Your Child Support Documents Prepared?
Whether you’re filing for a new child support order, modifying an existing order, or responding to a petition, Dynasty Legal Documents prepares every document you need — accurately, affordably, and ready to file at the Clerk of Superior Court.
Two convenient Arizona offices:
Gilbert Office 1539 W. Elliot Rd, Ste 103 Gilbert, AZ 85233
Mesa Office 7510 E. Main Street Mesa, AZ 85207
📞 Call 602.892.2218 or Request a Free Consultation
