Arkansas Child Support Calculator (2026)
Arkansas calculates child support under income-shares guidelines (Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order No. 10 (income shares since July 1, 2020)). Estimate the guideline amount below.
Income basis: combined gross monthly income.
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 Arkansas 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
Arkansas 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 (Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order No. 10 (income shares since July 1, 2020)). The calculator above interpolates the official schedule for a quick estimate — health-insurance, child-care, and parenting-time adjustments come on top.
How Arkansas Calculates Child Support
Arkansas switched from a percentage-of-income model to income shares effective July 1, 2020 (revised Administrative Order No. 10): both parents' gross monthly incomes are combined, the Family Support Chart sets the presumptive obligation for the number of children, and each parent owes their proportional share.
Statutory basis: Ark. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order No. 10 (income shares since July 1, 2020). Exact figure: official Arkansas calculator.
Official Schedule — Excerpt
Basic support obligation at selected combined incomes (combined gross monthly income), from the official Arkansas schedule:
| Combined income | 1 child | 2 children | 3 children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | $469 | $688 | $832 |
| $5,000 | $737 | $1,081 | $1,307 |
| $7,500 | $939 | $1,340 | $1,605 |
| $10,000 | $1,074 | $1,501 | $1,802 |
Worked Example
Two children, combined gross income $5,000/month (custodial parent $3,000, paying parent $2,000). Family Support Chart amount for two children at $5,000 = $1,081/month. The paying parent's 40% share is ≈ $432/month — before proportional add-ons for health insurance, work-related childcare, and extraordinary medical expenses.
When Courts Deviate From the Guideline
- Extraordinary educational expenses (private school, tutoring, special-needs education)
- Extraordinary travel expenses to exercise court-ordered visitation
- Significant available income of the child
- Additional dependents living in either parent's home
- Extraordinary medical or dental expenses beyond the $250/year per child built into the chart
Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in Arkansas as of 2026?
Income shares under Administrative Order No. 10: both parents' gross monthly incomes are combined, the Family Support Chart sets the base obligation, and each parent owes their proportional share.
Did Arkansas change how child support is calculated?
Yes — before July 1, 2020, only the noncustodial parent's income mattered (percentage model). The April 2, 2020 per curiam order moved Arkansas to income shares, counting both parents' incomes.
What is the highest income the Arkansas chart covers?
$30,000 combined gross monthly income. Above that, courts set support case-by-case rather than extrapolating the chart.
Is there a minimum child support amount for low-income parents?
Yes — under $900 gross monthly income, a presumptive minimum of $125/month applies, rebuttable for incarceration, verified disability, institutionalization, or SSI-only income.
Can an Arkansas judge order a different amount than the chart?
Yes — after considering deviation factors like extraordinary educational or medical expenses, visitation travel costs, other dependents, and the child's own income, with reasons stated on the record.