How Much Child Support Will I Pay If I Make $1,000 Per Week?

If you make $1,000 per week, or $52,000 per year, the amount of child support you will pay depends on several factors. These include how many children you have, the custody arrangement, your state’s child support guidelines, and the income of the other parent.

Overview of Child Support Calculations

Child support is meant to help provide children with the same standard of living they would have if their parents lived together. The calculation formulas vary by state, but some general principles apply:

• Both parents share legal responsibility to financially support their children.
• The amount is based on the incomes of both parents.
• Guidelines provide a minimum support amount, but judges can order more or less.
• Factors like custody split and number of children are considered.
• Support covers basics like food, clothing, and housing costs.
• Payments are made until the child turns 18, or longer if still in high school.
• Modifications can be made if incomes or custody arrangements change substantially.
• Parents can agree to their own child support amount, if the court finds it reasonable.
• Payments are usually made monthly and go through the state disbursement unit.
• Enforcement mechanisms like wage garnishment can be used if payments are missed.

Custody Arrangements Impact Child Support Amounts

One major factor in calculating child support is the amount of time each parent has physical custody of the children. Three common arrangements are:

• Sole physical custody – One parent has the child full-time. The other parent has visitation rights.
• Joint physical custody – Each parent has significant time, like 30%/70% or 50%/50% splits.
• Split custody – Each parent has full custody of one or more children.

The more overnights a child has with each parent, the more that will reduce that parent’s support payment and increase the amount they receive if they have lower income.

For example, if Mom and Dad have 50/50 custody, their incomes will be directly factored to determine child support amounts due from each. If Mom has 70% custody, she will pay less than under a 50/50 arrangement, especially if Dad earns more.

State Guidelines Provide a Child Support Formula

Each state has guidelines that create a mathematical formula to calculate basic child support amounts. Some key aspects:

• Income – This includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, overtime, tips, pensions, interest income, etc. Income can be imputed if parents are underemployed.
• Number of children – Allowances differ for 1, 2, 3+ kids. More children mean higher support.
• Health insurance & childcare – A portion of these costs may be included.
• Taxes – Federal and state taxes paid can reduce income for support purposes.
• Overnights – More overnights may decrease support paid.
• Income caps – Some states limit the income amount subject to formula.

The math formulas differ by state but generally consider the parents’ combined income and allocate support based on each parent’s percentage share of the total. Here is a chart summarizing guidelines by state.

Examples Based on Common State Formulas

To illustrate how child support is calculated, here are some examples applying state guidelines. The key factors are annual income, custody split, and number of children.

Florida Child Support Guidelines

Your income: $52,000 per year
Other parent’s income: $65,000 per year
Custody split: 50%/50%
Number of children: 2

Your proportion of combined income: 44%
Other parent’s proportion: 56%

Basic support for 2 children (from charts): $1,392 per month total

Your share: $611 per month
Other parent’s share: $781 per month

With 50/50 custody, each parent pays the other their share when they have the children.

Your income: $52,000 per year Other parent’s income: $65,000 per year
Custody split: 100%/0% – you have sole physical custody
Number of children: 1

Your proportion of income: 44%
Other parent’s proportion: 56%

Basic support for 1 child: $768 per month total

Your share (paid to you): $338 per month
Other parent’s share (paid to you): $430 per month

As sole custody parent, the other parent pays you their full guideline amount.

New York Child Support Guidelines

Your income: $52,000 per year Other parent’s income: $65,000 per year
Custody split: 60%/40% – you have majority
Number of children: 2

Your proportion of income: 44% Other parent’s proportion: 56%

Combined parental income: $117,000
Income cap for 2 kids: $148,000

Percentage of cap: 79%

Basic support for 2 kids (from charts): $1,438 per month

Capped support (79% of $1,438): $1,136 per month

Your share (paid to you): $500
Other parent’s share (paid to you): $636

Because you have majority custody, other parent pays full guideline amount.

Texas Child Support Guidelines

Your income: $52,000 per year
Other parent’s income: $65,000 per year Custody split: 20%/80% – other parent has majority Number of children: 1

Your proportion of income: 44%
Other parent’s proportion: 56%

Net monthly resources: $3,733 total Percentage for 1 child: 20%

Total support: $747

Your share (paid to other parent): $329 Other parent’s share (paid to you): $418

Because other parent has majority custody, you pay full amount and they pay percentage of overnights.

Judges Can Deviate from State Guidelines

The above examples use the standard formula in each state. However, judges have discretion to order child support amounts that are higher or lower than state guidelines after considering:

• Extraordinary medical, educational, or other expenses
• Especially high or low incomes of parents
• Parenting time arrangements
• Child’s financial resources, like a trust fund
• Each parent’s debts and liabilities
• Either parent’s other support obligations

For example, if one parent has unusually high student loans or medical bills, the judge may lower their support amount. Or if parents agree to split time and expenses 60%/40% rather than the court-ordered 50%/50%, support amounts may be adjusted.

Use Online Child Support Calculators

Many states offer online child support calculators you can use to estimate amounts due under state guidelines based on your specific details like income, custody, and number of children.

While not an official determination, these calculators can provide a good estimate of potential child support amounts to give you an idea of what to expect. Some things to keep in mind when using calculators:

• Use your gross income, not take-home pay
• Enter accurate custody percentage for each parent
• Check if state uses an income cap that may limit support
• Note results are just a guideline – judges can order different amounts

Even if you have an existing support order, you can check calculators to see if a modification may be warranted based on changes in income, custody, etc. over time.

Seeking a Child Support Order

If you have a child with someone but are not married, you will need to establish paternity and get a court order for child support. Some key steps:

• Establish paternity – Via court, filing with vital records, or voluntary acknowledgment form.
• Open a child support case – Apply through your state’s child support enforcement agency.
• Financial disclosures – Provide details on income, expenses, assets, etc.
• Guideline calculations – Agency will calculate preliminary support amount per formula.
• Negotiation – See if you can reach agreement on support owed.
• Court hearing – If needed, judge will issue final support order.
• Income withholding – Support is usually deducted from paychecks for payment.

Be sure to save records like tax returns, pay stubs, bills, school and medical expenses, and custody agreements to help determine the appropriate support amount based on your children’s needs.

Seeking a Modification of Child Support

If there has been a substantial change in circumstances like income, custody arrangements, or expenses, you may request a modification of an existing child support order. Some tips for seeking a modification:

• Review your current order and note aspects you wish to change.
• Calculate support amounts under current guidelines based on updated details.
• Gather documentation like pay stubs, agreements, bills to demonstrate changes.
• File motion to modify child support with the family court.
• Be prepared to explain why a change in support is warranted.
• Participate in mediation if offered – a negotiated agreement can avoid court.
• Provide updated financial disclosures.
• Attend court hearings and present your side.
• Get any new agreement or order in writing, signed by judge.
• Contact child support enforcement if new income withholding orders are needed.
• Keep records in case any future modifications are needed down the road.

Modifications are not always guaranteed – the court will look at whether changes are substantial and materially affect the child’s needs or parents’ abilities to pay. But filing for a modification can be worthwhile if incomes or custody arrangements have changed significantly from initial order.

Enforcing and Collecting Child Support Payments

It is important for children to receive regular, on-time child support payments to contribute to their living expenses. If payments ever stop coming, contact your state’s child support agency right away about enforcement remedies. Some options:

• Income withholding – Support is deducted from the paying parent’s paycheck.
• Tax refund interception – Seizure of state and federal tax refunds.
• Credit reporting – Unpaid support is reported to credit bureaus.
• License suspension – Professional, driver’s, and recreational licenses can be suspended.
• Passport denial – Ban issuance of U.S. passport for travel.
• Contempt of court – Paying parent faces fines or jail time.
• Liens or levies – Attach bank accounts, workers comp, insurance settlements.
• Payment history – Review records to identify late or missing payments.
• Wage garnishment – Obtain court order to garnish wages.
• Bank levy – Seize funds from bank accounts.

Don’t hesitate to contact child support enforcement if the other parent falls behind. The sooner enforcement starts, the better the chance of collecting owed amounts.

Changes to Child Support When a Child Turns 18

In most states, the duty to pay child support ends when a child turns 18 and completes high school. At that point, a parent can request the child support order be terminated going forward. However, any back support owed does not go away – that remains collectible.

Some exceptions where support may continue after 18:

• Child has special needs or disabilities.
• Child attends college or vocational training.
• Parties agreed to continue support in their divorce decree.
• Adult child is not fully self-supporting.
• State law allows support to continue to 20 or 21 in some cases.

To end child support, file a motion with the court that issued the support order requesting termination now that the child has turned 18 and finished high school. Be sure to include documentation like graduation records.

Conclusion

If you earn $1,000 per week, or $52,000 annually, the amount of child support you will pay depends primarily on the number of children you have, the custody arrangements between you and the other parent, your state’s guidelines formula, and whether the judge orders any deviations.

Online calculators can provide estimates, but to get an official amount you will need to have child support guidelines applied and get a court order establishing the payment amounts. Be sure to retain good records of income, expenses, custody time, and other factors that may impact child support calculations.