New Mexico Child Support Calculator (2026)
New Mexico calculates child support under income-shares guidelines (NMSA 1978 § 40-4-11.1). Estimate the guideline amount below.
Income basis: both parents' 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 New Mexico 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
New Mexico 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 (NMSA 1978 § 40-4-11.1). The calculator above interpolates the official schedule for a quick estimate — health-insurance, child-care, and parenting-time adjustments come on top.
How New Mexico Calculates Child Support
New Mexico uses an Income Shares model under NMSA 1978 § 40-4-11.1. Both parents' combined gross monthly income determines a Basic Child Support Obligation read from the official Basic Child Support Schedule (incorporated in 8.50.108 NMAC), which each parent then pays in proportion to their share of combined income. Worksheet A (Basic Visitation) applies when one parent has the children less than 35% of the year; Worksheet B (Shared Responsibility) applies when each parent has the children at least 35% of the year, and multiplies the basic obligation by 1.5 before splitting it. The schedule is reviewed quadrennially by the Child Support Guideline Commission under NMSA 1978 § 40-4-11.3; the current schedule was adopted 12/1/2023 and became effective January 1, 2024, adding a Self-Support Reserve for the first time.
Statutory basis: NMSA 1978 § 40-4-11.1. Exact figure: official New Mexico calculator.
Official Schedule — Excerpt
Basic support obligation at selected combined incomes (both parents' combined gross monthly income), from the official New Mexico schedule:
| Combined income | 1 child | 2 children | 3 children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,350 | $532 | $768 | $903 |
| $5,000 | $663 | $954 | $1,117 |
| $7,500 | $860 | $1,236 | $1,444 |
| $10,000 | $1,083 | $1,575 | $1,836 |
Worked Example
Two children, Basic Visitation (Worksheet A). Mother's gross monthly income: $3,000. Father's gross monthly income: $4,000. Combined: $7,000/month. From the Basic Child Support Schedule, the basic obligation for 2 children at $7,000 combined monthly income is $1,182. Father's share of combined income: $4,000 / $7,000 = 57.1%. Father's basic support obligation: $1,182 × 0.571 ≈ $675/month (before adding each parent's proportional share of the children's health/dental insurance premiums and work-related child care costs, which are added on top per Worksheet A).
When Courts Deviate From the Guideline
- Substantial hardship to the obligor, the obligee, or the children may justify an upward or downward deviation from the guideline amount (NMSA 1978 § 40-4-11.2)
- A single current child support obligation requiring a parent to pay more than 40% of that parent's gross income creates a presumption of substantial hardship justifying deviation (NMSA 1978 § 40-4-11.1)
- Extraordinary uninsured medical, dental, and counseling expenses in excess of $100 per child per year may be added to the basic obligation
- Extraordinary educational expenses for the children may be added to the basic obligation
- Transportation and communication expenses necessary for long-distance visitation or time-sharing may be added to the basic obligation
- A parent's pre-existing duty to support other, prior children is not ordinarily a basis to reduce support, but may be raised as a defense to an increase
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cap on income used in New Mexico's child support calculation?
The official Basic Child Support Schedule runs up to $30,000 in combined gross monthly income ($360,000/year). At that ceiling, the basic obligation is $2,975/month for 1 child and $4,327/month for 2 children. No published statutory formula extends the schedule above that amount; courts address such cases individually.
What counts as 'gross income' under New Mexico's child support guidelines?
Gross income includes salaries, wages, tips, commissions, bonuses, dividends, severance pay, pensions, interest, trust income, annuities, capital gains, Social Security benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment and disability insurance benefits, significant in-kind benefits that reduce living expenses, prizes, and alimony/maintenance received. It excludes means-tested public assistance (TANF, food stamps, SSI), child support received for other children, and alimony actually paid under a court order.
How does 50/50 or shared custody affect child support in New Mexico?
New Mexico treats an arrangement as 'shared responsibility' once each parent has the children at least 35% of the year (at least 128 of 365 overnight days). In that case, Worksheet B is used: the basic obligation from the schedule is multiplied by 1.5, split according to each parent's income share, and each parent retains the percentage of that share matching their percentage of overnight days — only the net difference is transferred. Below the 35% threshold, 'basic visitation' Worksheet A applies (no 1.5 multiplier).
Until what age does child support continue in New Mexico, and does it cover college?
Under New Mexico law (NMSA 1978 § 40-4-7), support generally continues until a child turns 18, or until age 19 if the child became emancipated only by reaching majority age and is still attending high school. New Mexico does not automatically require support for college; a court may order and enforce post-high-school support only pursuant to a written agreement between the parents.