Alabama Child Support Calculator (2026)
Alabama calculates child support under income-shares guidelines (Rule 32, Ala. R. Jud. Admin.). Estimate the guideline amount below.
Income basis: combined monthly adjusted gross income of both parents.
Enter the income above to see the guideline estimate.
Simplified guideline estimate, interpolated from the official schedule — before health-insurance, childcare, and parenting-time adjustments. For the exact figure use the official Alabama calculator.
Your Case Details
Answer a few questions to see your estimated range.
Approximate gap between higher-earner and lower-earner.
Estimated Monthly Support
$840 — $1,560
State formulas vary significantly. This estimate uses national averages — your state's guidelines may produce a different number.
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology
Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
Alabama uses the income-shares model: both parents' incomes are combined, the official schedule sets a basic support obligation, and each parent owes their proportional share (Rule 32, Ala. R. Jud. Admin.). The calculator above interpolates the official schedule for a quick estimate — health-insurance, child-care, and parenting-time adjustments come on top.
How Alabama Calculates Child Support
Alabama calculates child support under the income shares model per Rule 32, Ala. R. Jud. Admin. The parents' combined monthly adjusted gross income is matched against the official Schedule of Basic Child-Support Obligations and computed on Form CS-42 (or CS-42-S for near-equal physical custody). The current schedule took effect May 1, 2022 (ceiling extended to $30,000/month); Rule 32 itself was amended effective June 1, 2023 to add the Shared 50% Physical-Custody Adjustment (SPCA). A quadrennial review (Rule 32(G)) concluded November 17, 2025 without a confirmed new schedule edition.
Statutory basis: Rule 32, Ala. R. Jud. Admin.. Exact figure: official Alabama calculator.
Official Schedule — Excerpt
Basic support obligation at selected combined incomes (combined monthly adjusted gross income of both parents), from the official Alabama schedule:
| Combined income | 1 child | 2 children | 3 children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,333 | $608 | $920 | $1,106 |
| $5,000 | $796 | $1,194 | $1,422 |
| $7,500 | $980 | $1,451 | $1,703 |
| $10,000 | $1,155 | $1,700 | $1,984 |
Worked Example
At $7,500 combined monthly adjusted income with 2 children, the basic obligation per the schedule is $1,451/month. If Parent A earns $4,500 (60%) and Parent B earns $3,000 (40%), non-custodial Parent A pays 60% of $1,451 = $870.60/month in basic support, plus their proportional share of documented child-care and health-insurance costs (Form CS-42). Under near-equal custody (Form CS-42-S), the basic obligation would first be multiplied by 150% before being apportioned.
When Courts Deviate From the Guideline
- A custody arrangement with visitation substantially in excess of standard, or shared physical custody
- Extraordinary travel costs to exercise visitation
- College/educational expenses of the child incurred before the age of majority
- Assets or unearned income of the child
- Actual work-related child-care costs exceeding the guideline figure by more than 20%, or a parent's education/retraining costs
- Other circumstances the court finds serve the child's best interests (including agreed deviations by both parents)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a ceiling for the child support calculation in Alabama?
Yes. The official Schedule of Basic Child-Support Obligations covers combined adjusted income up to $30,000/month (extended from the previous $20,000). Above that limit, the table values may not be extrapolated linearly — the amount is then within the court's discretion.
What counts as income in Alabama for the calculation?
Gross income includes wages/salary, bonuses, commissions, severance, pensions, interest, trust income, capital gains, Social Security benefits, veterans' benefits, workers' comp, unemployment, disability benefits, and spousal support received. Excluded are child support for other children and means-tested benefits (TANF/SNAP/SSI). 'Adjusted gross income' = gross income minus pre-existing child-support and spousal-support obligations from prior relationships.
How does near-equal (50/50) custody affect the calculation?
Since the Rule 32 amendment effective June 1, 2023, near-equal physical custody triggers the Shared 50% Physical-Custody Adjustment (SPCA): Form CS-42-S replaces CS-42, the basic obligation is multiplied by 150% (reflecting duplicated household costs) and then apportioned by income; the higher-earning parent pays the difference. If a parent fails to exercise custody on more than 14 days within 12 months without good cause, the court can retroactively adjust the SPCA.
Until when does support run in Alabama, and does the court order college costs?
Child support ordinarily ends at age 19 (the age of majority under Ala. Code § 26-1-1), except upon earlier emancipation (marriage, military service) or continuing disability of the child. Alabama courts cannot unilaterally order college contributions past age 19 — only by parental agreement or as a court-recognized deviation ground before majority.