TCBChild Support Calculator

About this calculator

Source of truth

The engine implements Rule 32 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration (the income-shares child support guidelines; Schedule effective May 1, 2022, with Rule 32 amendments effective June 1, 2023). The Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations is loaded from the official Alabama Administrative Office of Courts publication.

  • Schedule effective date: 2022-05-01
  • Schedule rows: 596 (1–6 children), digitized in full
  • Combined-income lookup uses the nearest-$50 row (Rule 32(C)(1))
  • Income-share percentages and the recommended order are rounded to the nearest whole figure (Rule 32(C)(3): nearest 1% / nearest dollar)
  • Anchors confirmed: $8,000/2ch = $1,519; $30,000/1ch = $2,456

How the order is built

Both parents' adjusted gross incomes are combined; the basic obligation is read from the schedule and prorated by income share. Adjusted gross is gross income less preexisting child support and preexisting periodic alimony actually paid (the alimony deduction is allowed in Alabama — a divergence from Arkansas). Mandatory add-ons (health-insurance premium, work-related childcare, extraordinary uninsured medical) are prorated. For shared 50/50 physical custody (Form CS-42-S, Rule 32(C)(7)) the obligation is multiplied by 1.5, each parent credited half, and the higher-share parent pays the difference — with the self-support reserve and $50 minimum turned off. A self-support reserve (Rule 32(C)(5)) limits a low-income obligor's order to 85% of income above $981/month, with a rebuttable $50 minimum. Above the $30,000 combined-income cap the amount is discretionary (Ex parte Dyas).

What this does NOT do

  • Fill the official CS-42 AcroForm — the published fillable CS-42 (Rev. 7/2019) is a 10-line form without the self-support-reserve lines, so SSR cases need the Excel worksheet or a drawn continuation
  • The discretionary above-$30,000 amount (Dyas needs findings)
  • The zero-dollar order for no-income / incarcerated obligors
  • Imputed preexisting support under Rule 32(B)(6)

Other states

Calculators for seven Southeastern states are on the state picker, with more planned.

Disclaimer

This tool produces an estimate based on the inputs you provide. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Outcomes depend on facts, evidence, judicial discretion, and deviation analysis this tool does not perform. Consult a licensed Alabama attorney before relying on any number produced here.

Maintained by

TCB Law, PLLC.