How Child Support Is Calculated in South Carolina
South Carolina uses an Income Shares model. The principle is that a child should receive the same share of parental income they would have if the parents lived together. South Carolina combines both parents' incomes, uses a state guideline schedule to find the base support amount for that family, and then divides the responsibility between the parents in proportion to each one's share of the combined income.
Because the obligation is split by income share, the parent who earns more of the combined total carries more of the support. The figure above is a realistic estimate rather than a court-ordered amount.
A Simple Worked Example
The numbers below are illustrative only and are used to show how the pieces fit together — they are not official South Carolina figures or a prediction for your case.
- Suppose Parent A earns $4,000 per month and Parent B earns $2,000 per month, for a combined income of $6,000.
- Parent A accounts for about 67% of the combined income and Parent B about 33%.
- If the guideline base support worked out to, say, $900 per month, each parent's share would follow those percentages — roughly $600 from Parent A and $300 from Parent B.
- The parent the child lives with most of the time is generally assumed to spend their share directly, so the other parent typically pays their portion as support.
- Add-on costs such as work-related childcare and the child's health-insurance premium are divided using the same income percentages.
This is the same logic the calculator above applies — adjusting incomes, number of children, or added expenses changes the result.
South Carolina Child Support — Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in South Carolina?
South Carolina combines both parents' incomes, uses a guideline schedule to find the base support for the number of children, and divides that responsibility in proportion to each parent's share of the combined income. Work-related childcare and health-insurance costs are added and shared the same way.
What counts as income for child support?
Income is defined broadly and can include wages, salary, self-employment earnings, and often bonuses, commissions, and overtime. Certain deductions may apply to reach the figure used in the calculation. Because the definition is broad and fact-specific, the official worksheet or a family-law attorney is the best guide for an exact figure.
Does overtime or bonus income count?
It often does, particularly when it is regular and reliable rather than a one-time event. How consistent, occasional, or uncertain income is treated can vary case by case, so it is worth confirming with the official guidelines or an attorney.
How is child support handled if a parent is self-employed?
For self-employed parents, income is usually based on earnings after legitimate business expenses. Because self-employment income can be harder to document, courts may look closely at tax returns and records to arrive at a fair figure.
Does parenting time change the amount?
It can. When a child spends a substantial amount of time with each parent, a shared-custody adjustment may apply to reflect the direct costs each parent covers during their own parenting time.
When does child support end in South Carolina?
Child support typically continues until a child reaches the age of majority, with common exceptions that can extend it — for example, while a child is still finishing high school. The exact end point depends on your order and the current rules.
Can a child support order be changed later?
Yes. Orders can generally be reviewed and modified when circumstances change significantly — such as a meaningful change in either parent's income, the child's needs, or the parenting schedule. Modifications go through the appropriate state process rather than an informal agreement.
Estimate only. This page is an educational tool, not legal advice. For a court-ready calculation, use South Carolina's official child support resources or consult a South Carolina family-law attorney.