Rhode Island Child Support Calculator – Accurate & Easy to Use

What Is the Rhode Island Child Support Calculator?

The Rhode Island Child Support Calculator is a web-based tool that estimates how much child support a non-custodial parent (the parent who doesn’t have primary custody) may need to pay each month.

It uses the Rhode Island Child Support Guidelines, which consider:

• Each parent’s gross monthly income
• The number of children
• Health insurance premiums for the children
• Work-related child care costs

The calculator is meant for informational purposes only. It’s not a substitute for legal advice or an official court order — but it gives you a solid, guideline-based estimate that helps you plan and prepare.

How the Calculator Works

Our calculator uses the same math behind Rhode Island’s official child support guidelines. Here’s how it breaks down:

1. Enter Both Parents’ Gross Monthly Income
   • You’ll input your income and the other parent’s income.
   • “Gross income” means before taxes or deductions.
2. Add the Number of Children
   • Select the number of children from 1 to 6.
   • The more children there are, the higher the total support obligation.
3. Include Health Insurance and Child Care Costs
   • Enter the total monthly cost for children’s health insurance and work-related child care.
4. Calculate the Combined Income
   • The calculator combines both incomes to determine the total household income.
5. Apply Rhode Island’s Guideline Percentage
   • Rhode Island law sets percentage values based on income level and number of children.
   • For example, a family with one child and $4,000 combined income uses a base rate of 13.4% of that income.
6. Split the Obligation Proportionally
   • The total obligation is divided between both parents based on how much of the combined income each earns.
   • The non-custodial parent’s share becomes their estimated monthly payment.

Example: How a Real Calculation Works

Let’s say:

• Custodial parent earns $4,000/month
• Non-custodial parent earns $6,000/month
• They have two children
• Monthly child care costs are $400, and insurance costs $200

Here’s how the math plays out:

1. Combined income: $10,000
2. Guideline rate (for 2 children): 15.5% → $1,550 base obligation
3. Add insurance + child care: $1,550 + $200 + $400 = $2,150 total obligation
4. Non-custodial parent share: 60% of income → $1,290/month

So the estimated payment would be about $1,290 per month.

Why Use the Rhode Island Child Support Calculator?

Fast and free: Get results in seconds without math or spreadsheets.
Accurate to guidelines: Uses Rhode Island’s official child support formula.
Private: No data is stored or shared — it’s 100% client-side.
Informative: Helps you understand how child support is calculated before going to court or mediation.

What the Calculator Does Not Cover

While this calculator is based on the official Rhode Island child support schedule, it doesn’t replace a judge’s decision. The court may adjust payments based on:

• Shared or split custody arrangements
• Additional medical expenses
• Extraordinary educational needs
• Significant changes in income

Always consult with a family law attorney or the Rhode Island Family Court for specific legal advice.

Understanding Rhode Island’s Child Support Guidelines

Rhode Island uses an income shares model. This model assumes that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would if both parents lived together.

Key points:

• Both parents’ incomes are added together.
• The combined income determines the total support amount.
• Each parent is responsible for their share based on their income percentage.
• The non-custodial parent pays their share to the custodial parent to support the child’s living expenses.

Tips Before Using the Calculator

To get the most accurate estimate:

• Gather pay stubs or recent tax returns.
• Include bonuses, overtime, and commissions in income if they are regular.
• Estimate health insurance and child care costs as accurately as possible.

Once you enter all the data, hit “Calculate” — the tool instantly shows the estimated monthly payment for the non-custodial parent.

You can then adjust any value (like income or expenses) to see how different scenarios affect the result.