Child Support in South Carolina: How It's Calculated
South Carolina uses the Income Shares Model to determine child support obligations. This guide walks through how the formula works, what factors South Carolina courts consider, and how to modify or enforce an order — with links to official South Carolina resources.
Income Shares Model in South Carolina
South Carolina uses the Income Shares Model under its Child Support Guidelines. Both parents' gross incomes are combined and applied to a schedule to determine a basic combined obligation, which is then divided proportionally.
South Carolina provides a parenting time adjustment when the non-primary parent exercises significant custody time. South Carolina's guidelines include a worksheet that courts use to compute the final support amount. Health insurance and work-related childcare are added to the basic support before proportional allocation.
Key Factors South Carolina Courts Consider
- Both parents' gross monthly income
- Number of children
- Parenting time arrangement
- Child's health insurance premium
- Work-related childcare costs
- Any extraordinary expenses
- Prior support obligations
Official South Carolina Resources
Get an accurate number from an official source
Child support calculations are complex and fact-specific. For an accurate figure, use South Carolina's official worksheet or consult a licensed family law attorney. This guide explains the framework — it does not produce a binding calculation.
Step-by-Step: How South Carolina's Formula Works
Here is how South Carolina applies the Income Shares Model to calculate a child support obligation, step by step:
1. Determine each parent's income
South Carolina starts by calculating each parent's income — gross income (before taxes). The specific definition of income is set by Income Shares Model.
2. Combine incomes and find the basic obligation
Both parents' incomes are combined and compared to South Carolina's child support schedule. The schedule produces a basic child support obligation based on combined income and the number of children.
3. Add health insurance and childcare costs
Health insurance premiums paid for the child and work-related childcare expenses are added to the basic obligation before it is divided between parents.
4. Divide proportionally based on income share
The total obligation is allocated between the parents in proportion to each parent's share of combined income. The parent with the higher income share bears a larger portion of the obligation.
5. Apply parenting time credits
Parenting time arrangement parenting time adjustment when the non-primary parent exercises significant custody time.
Document Everything for Your South Carolina Case
South Carolina courts rely on documented records — parenting time logs, expense receipts, and payment histories. ReplyCalmly helps you track all of it and generate organized, exportable reports.
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