Connecticut Child Support Calculator 2026
Estimate child support obligations in Connecticut under Connecticut General Statutes §46b-215a and the Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines. This free calculator applies the state's income shares model to produce an instant guideline estimate for parents, attorneys, and self-represented litigants.
Free Connecticut Child Support Guideline Calculator
Connecticut calculates child support under Connecticut General Statutes §46b-215a and the Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines, which combines both parents' incomes, calculates the basic child support obligation from the state's guideline schedule, and then prorates that obligation between the parents based on their percentage of combined income. Connecticut uses the income shares model — combined net weekly income is applied to the state's Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations, with a low-income adjustment preserving a self-support reserve for the obligor.
This calculator is used by divorcing parents, family law attorneys, mediators, and self-represented litigants who need a quick estimate of what a Connecticut court is likely to order. Results are guideline projections only — any formal court filing in Connecticut requires the official worksheet or the state's certified calculator.
👤 Parent A (Petitioner)
👤 Parent B (Respondent)
Ready to File for Divorce in Connecticut?
If you and your spouse agree on child support and other terms, an uncontested divorce is the fastest and most affordable path. OnlineDivorce prepares Connecticut-specific divorce forms for your situation — ready to file with the court.
Frequently Asked Questions — Connecticut Child Support
How is child support calculated in Connecticut?
Connecticut uses the Income Shares approach set out in Connecticut General Statutes §46b-215a and the Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines. Connecticut uses the income shares model — combined net weekly income is applied to the state's Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations, with a low-income adjustment preserving a self-support reserve for the obligor. The court applies this formula as a rebuttable presumption, so the guideline number is the starting point in every case unless a party proves deviation is warranted.
What counts as income for child support purposes in Connecticut?
Under Connecticut's guidelines, income is defined broadly. Gross income less federal, state, and local income taxes, Social Security, Medicare, mandatory union dues, health insurance for the obligor, and prior child support orders actually paid. Courts routinely impute income where a parent is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed, and verified documentation of wages, self-employment profit, and government benefits is required at the hearing.
Can a Connecticut court order child support different from the guidelines?
Yes. The guideline amount produced by Connecticut General Statutes §46b-215a and the Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines is a rebuttable presumption, meaning courts can deviate when application of the formula would be unjust or inappropriate. Common grounds recognized in Connecticut include a shared physical custody arrangement, extraordinary medical or educational expenses, a significant visitation expense, or the presumptive amount being inequitable or inappropriate. A deviation typically requires written findings on the record explaining the reasons for departing from the guideline amount.
Do I need an attorney to calculate child support in Connecticut?
No — Connecticut courts allow self-represented parents to complete their own child support worksheets using the state's official guideline tools. For uncontested cases where both spouses agree on the guideline amount, an online divorce service can prepare your forms for filing at a fraction of what an attorney charges. For contested cases or complex income situations, consulting a Connecticut family law attorney is advisable.
Understanding Connecticut Child Support Guidelines
Child support in Connecticut is governed by Connecticut General Statutes §46b-215a and the Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines. These statutes establish a rebuttable presumption that the guideline calculation produces the correct amount of support, and the Connecticut courts are required to apply the guidelines to every case involving minor children unless a party shows that doing so would be unjust or inappropriate under the specific facts presented.
The Connecticut child support formula uses the income shares model — combines both parents’ incomes, calculates the basic child support obligation from the state’s guideline schedule, and then prorates that obligation between the parents based on their percentage of combined income. Connecticut uses the income shares model — combined net weekly income is applied to the state’s Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations, with a low-income adjustment preserving a self-support reserve for the obligor. Connecticut’s approach to income is specific: gross income less federal, state, and local income taxes, Social Security, Medicare, mandatory union dues, health insurance for the obligor, and prior child support orders actually paid.
Parenting time matters in Connecticut. When each parent has the children for a substantial share of overnights, the court applies a shared-physical-custody or extended-parenting-time adjustment, which generally reduces the paying parent’s obligation to reflect direct expenses incurred during that parent’s time. The exact threshold and math differ between Connecticut and other states, so the parenting schedule should be quantified accurately when running this calculator or the official worksheet.
Child support orders in Connecticut are not permanent — they can be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances such as a change in either parent’s income, a change in custody, or a change in the children’s needs. Enforcement is handled through the Connecticut Child Support Enforcement Agency and the family court, with remedies including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, and contempt proceedings for willful non-payment.