South Carolina Child Support Calculator – Accurate & Easy to Use

What Is the South Carolina Child Support Calculator?

The South Carolina Child Support Calculator is a web-based tool designed to help parents estimate monthly child support payments.

It’s based on the South Carolina Child Support Guidelines, which use both parents’ gross monthly income, the number of children, and certain expenses to estimate support obligations.

While the calculator gives a solid guideline estimate, the final child support amount is determined by the Family Court, which can adjust payments depending on the circumstances.

How the Calculator Works

The calculator follows a simple process grounded in state guidelines. Here’s how it breaks down:

1. Input Both Parents’ Gross Monthly Income
   You’ll enter the monthly income for both the custodial (CP) and non-custodial parent (NCP).
   • Example: CP = $2,500/month, NCP = $4,000/month.
2. Enter the Number of Children
   The calculator can estimate support for 1 to 6 children. The more children there are, the higher the shared financial responsibility.
3. Add Expenses (Optional but Important)
   You can include:
   • Health insurance premiums for the children.
   • Work-related child care costs (like daycare).
4. Click “Calculate”
   The calculator combines both parents’ incomes, applies the state’s support schedule, and splits the total based on each parent’s share of income.
5. See the Estimate
   It will display the non-custodial parent’s estimated monthly child support payment—the amount typically paid to the custodial parent.

Example Calculation

Let’s look at a quick example using realistic numbers:

• Custodial Parent Income: $2,500/month
• Non-Custodial Parent Income: $4,000/month
• Number of Children: 2
• Health Insurance: $100/month
• Child Care Costs: $200/month

The calculator:

• Combines both incomes → $6,500 total.
• Finds the guideline base support for 2 children.
• Adds insurance and child care costs.
• Divides by each parent’s share of income.

Result: The non-custodial parent may owe around $650–$750/month, depending on exact income ratios.

(Note: This is an estimate only. Courts can adjust the amount based on case details.)

What Factors Affect Child Support in South Carolina?

South Carolina law considers several key factors when determining support:

• Both parents’ gross income (before taxes or deductions).
• Number of children supported under the order.
• Health insurance costs for the children.
• Work-related childcare expenses.
• Extraordinary medical or educational needs (if any).
• Shared custody or visitation schedule.

These guidelines are designed to ensure that children receive fair, consistent support that reflects both parents’ ability to contribute.

Important Disclaimer

The calculator is a guideline tool, not an official ruling.
It gives an estimated payment, but Family Court judges can modify the final amount depending on specific circumstances like:

• Income changes
• Shared custody
• Special needs
• Existing child support orders for other children

If you need an exact calculation or legal advice, consult a South Carolina family law attorney or contact your county’s child support office.

Why Use the Online Calculator?

The South Carolina Child Support Calculator (like the one embedded above) is:
Free and easy to use — no downloads needed.
Quick — results appear instantly.
Accurate to the state guideline schedule.
Helpful for planning before mediation, court, or budgeting.

It gives parents a clear starting point before entering the legal process, helping both sides understand expectations.