South Carolina Child Support Calculator 2026
Estimate child support obligations in South Carolina under South Carolina Code of Laws §20-3-160 and Regulation 114-4710 through 114-4790. This free calculator applies the state's income shares model to produce an instant guideline estimate for parents, attorneys, and self-represented litigants.
Free South Carolina Child Support Guideline Calculator
South Carolina calculates child support under South Carolina Code of Laws §20-3-160 and Regulation 114-4710 through 114-4790, 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. South Carolina uses the income shares model with three worksheets — A (sole custody), B (shared custody with 110+ overnights), and C (split custody).
This calculator is used by divorcing parents, family law attorneys, mediators, and self-represented litigants who need a quick estimate of what a South Carolina court is likely to order. Results are guideline projections only — any formal court filing in South Carolina requires the official worksheet or the state's certified calculator.
👤 Parent A (Petitioner)
👤 Parent B (Respondent)
Ready to File for Divorce in South Carolina?
If you and your spouse agree on child support and other terms, an uncontested divorce is the fastest and most affordable path. OnlineDivorce prepares South Carolina-specific divorce forms for your situation — ready to file with the court.
Frequently Asked Questions — South Carolina Child Support
How is child support calculated in South Carolina?
South Carolina uses the Income Shares approach set out in South Carolina Code of Laws §20-3-160 and Regulation 114-4710 through 114-4790. South Carolina uses the income shares model with three worksheets — A (sole custody), B (shared custody with 110+ overnights), and C (split custody). 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 South Carolina?
Under South Carolina's guidelines, income is defined broadly. Gross income less self-employment taxes, pre-existing child support orders paid, the theoretical support for other children residing with the parent, and alimony actually paid to a former spouse. 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 South Carolina court order child support different from the guidelines?
Yes. The guideline amount produced by South Carolina Code of Laws §20-3-160 and Regulation 114-4710 through 114-4790 is a rebuttable presumption, meaning courts can deviate when application of the formula would be unjust or inappropriate. Common grounds recognized in South Carolina include educational expenses, extraordinary medical expenses, alimony received, the child's independent assets, or the guideline amount being unjust. 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 South Carolina?
No — South Carolina 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 South Carolina family law attorney is advisable.
Understanding South Carolina Child Support Guidelines
Child support in South Carolina is governed by South Carolina Code of Laws §20-3-160 and Regulation 114-4710 through 114-4790. These statutes establish a rebuttable presumption that the guideline calculation produces the correct amount of support, and the South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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. South Carolina uses the income shares model with three worksheets — A (sole custody), B (shared custody with 110+ overnights), and C (split custody). South Carolina’s approach to income is specific: gross income less self-employment taxes, pre-existing child support orders paid, the theoretical support for other children residing with the parent, and alimony actually paid to a former spouse.
Parenting time matters in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina and other states, so the parenting schedule should be quantified accurately when running this calculator or the official worksheet.
Child support orders in South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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.