District of Columbia Child Support Calculator (2026)
District of Columbia calculates child support under income-shares guidelines (D.C. Code § 16-916.01). Estimate the guideline amount below.
Income basis: combined annual adjusted gross 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 District of Columbia calculator.
Your Case Details
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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
District of Columbia 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 (D.C. Code § 16-916.01). The calculator above interpolates the official schedule for a quick estimate — health-insurance, child-care, and parenting-time adjustments come on top.
How District of Columbia Calculates Child Support
D.C. uses the Income Shares model under D.C. Code § 16-916.01: the court combines both parents' adjusted gross income, looks up the corresponding basic support obligation in the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations (Appendix I to § 16-916.01a), and allocates that obligation between the parents in proportion to each parent's share of the combined income. The current version of § 16-916.01 was last amended by D.C. Law 21-107, effective May 12, 2016, with the self-support reserve last updated April 1, 2015; the underlying guideline structure dates to the Child Support Guideline Amendment Act, effective April 1, 2007.
Statutory basis: D.C. Code § 16-916.01. Exact figure: official District of Columbia calculator.
Official Schedule — Excerpt
Basic support obligation at selected combined incomes (combined annual adjusted gross income), from the official District of Columbia schedule:
| Combined income | 1 child | 2 children | 3 children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,200 | $7,837 | $11,067 | $12,921 |
| $60,000 | $10,628 | $14,638 | $16,674 |
| $90,000 | $14,679 | $19,922 | $22,514 |
| $120,000 | $18,681 | $25,174 | $28,205 |
Worked Example
Two parents have combined annual adjusted gross income of $90,000, split 60/40 (Parent A earns $54,000, Parent B earns $36,000). For 2 children, the Schedule sets the basic obligation at $19,922/year. Parent A's income share is 60%, so Parent A's presumptive obligation is 60% × $19,922 = $11,953.20/year, or about $996/month, payable to Parent B (assuming Parent B has primary physical custody).
When Courts Deviate From the Guideline
- Extraordinary medical, psychological, dental, or educational expenses for the child
- A significant disparity in the parents' incomes beyond what the standard formula captures
- A property settlement or debt division agreement that offsets or affects the support need
- The paying parent already provides significant in-kind support directly to the child
- Temporary repayment of a pre-existing debt, limited to a maximum of 12 months
- Any other exceptional circumstance that would otherwise yield a patently unfair result
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cap on income for D.C.'s child support guideline?
Yes. Under D.C. Code § 16-916.01, the guideline schedule applies presumptively only up to $240,000 in combined annual adjusted gross income. Above that level, the guideline is not presumptive, and the court has discretion to set support based on the case's specific facts, though it may still use the top of the schedule as a reference point.
What counts as income under D.C.'s child support guideline?
D.C. Code § 16-916.01 defines gross income broadly to include salary, wages, commissions, severance pay, bonuses, self-employment income, interest, dividends, Social Security, veterans' benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, pensions, annuities, trust income, and rental income, among other sources. Adjusted gross income is then calculated by applying specific deductions, such as for self-employment taxes, alimony paid, existing child support orders, and other dependent children not covered by the current order.
How does shared custody affect D.C. child support?
D.C. Code § 16-916.01 creates a presumption of shared physical custody when a child spends 35% or more of the year with each parent. In that situation, the basic child support obligation from the Schedule is multiplied by 1.5, and the resulting amount is then divided between the parents based on both their respective income shares and the amount of time the child spends with each parent.
How long does child support last in D.C., and does it cover college?
The District is one of the few U.S. jurisdictions where child support typically continues until the child turns 21 (D.C. treats a child as a minor for support purposes until 21), rather than ending at 18 — but orders can specify their own termination terms, so check the language of your specific order and confirm with the D.C. Child Support Services Division (CSSD). There is no statutory duty to fund college; contributions beyond the order require the parents' agreement.