Massachusetts Child Support Calculator – Accurate & Easy to Use

What Is the Massachusetts Child Support Calculator?

The Massachusetts Child Support Calculator is a web-based tool designed to estimate how much one parent might owe the other in weekly child support.

It uses real numbers — like gross income, deductions, child care costs, and custody time.
It follows the official 2021 Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines.
It’s free and instant. Just input your info and get a weekly estimate.

Disclaimer: This is just a guideline-based estimate — not a court order or legal advice.

How the Calculator Works (Plain English Breakdown)

The calculator uses a built-in formula backed by a state-approved income schedule. Here’s what goes into the calculation:

1. Gross Income for Each Parent

Each parent inputs their weekly gross income. This is income before taxes and deductions.

• Parent A Gross Income
• Parent B Gross Income

Then, each parent lists any deductions — typically for child support paid for other children.

2. Number of Children

Select how many children are involved. You can choose from 1 to 5. The calculator uses this number to adjust the support amount based on standardized state figures.

3. Custody Arrangement

Choose one of three options:

• Parent A is primary caregiver
• Parent B is primary caregiver
• Shared parenting time (roughly 50/50)

The custody type affects who pays support — and how much.

4. Extra Expenses

Add any weekly costs for:

• Health, dental, or vision insurance for the children
• Work-related child care

These “add-ons” get divided proportionally between the parents based on their income.

5. Calculate and See Results

Click “Calculate”, and the tool displays:

• Who pays whom
• How much, per week
• A breakdown of how the result was determined

All in under 5 seconds.

How It Figures Out the Payment

Here’s a simplified version of what’s happening under the hood:

1. Each parent’s available income is calculated:
   Gross Income – Deductions = Available Income
2. Combined available income is used to look up a base support amount from a fixed income chart.
3. That base support is split proportionally based on each parent’s share of total income.
4. If the parenting time is shared, the calculator compares both parents’ support shares and calculates the difference.
5. The tool also adds each parent’s share of health insurance and child care costs.
6. The final number is the estimated weekly child support payment, and it shows who pays whom.

Example: What a Real Calculation Looks Like

Let’s say:

• Parent A earns $1,200/week
• Parent B earns $800/week
• They have 2 kids
• Custody is shared
• $50/week in child care
• $30/week in health insurance

The calculator estimates who pays whom and how much — based on a standardized support table and the shared percentage of costs.

This example might show:
Parent A pays Parent B $110/week.

But change the numbers — and the result changes too.

Why Use the Calculator?

• Clarity: Understand what you might pay or receive before going to court
• Transparency: Both parents can see the same numbers
• Speed: Get answers instantly — no need to wait
• Planning: Helps budget for future expenses
• Peace of Mind: Removes some of the guesswork from a stressful process

Is the Estimate Always Correct?

No. This tool gives you a ballpark estimate, not a guaranteed result. Final child support orders depend on:

• Court decisions
• Unique case details
• Adjustments for hardship, deviations, or special circumstances

Always consult a family law attorney for specific legal guidance.

Mobile-Friendly and Easy to Use

The calculator is designed with a clean, mobile-responsive layout. Whether you’re on a phone, tablet, or desktop, it’s simple to:

• Enter your numbers
• Choose your settings
• Hit “Calculate”
• Get results, instantly

No complicated forms. No sign-up required.

Built with Accuracy in Mind

Behind the scenes, the calculator uses:

• An income-to-support lookup table based on official state data
• Linear interpolation for incomes not listed on the chart
• Add-on calculations for medical and childcare costs
• Custody logic for shared and primary arrangements

It’s coded to mirror how Massachusetts calculates support in real legal cases — without needing a degree in math.