Free · Pennsylvania · Current law
Based on Pennsylvania's official Income Shares formula. Enter both parents' incomes and get an estimate in under a minute.
Before taxes — wages, self-employment, bonuses
A best estimate is fine for now
Taxes, mandatory retirement, union dues…
Work or school related
Estimated monthly support
The other parent pays you, the parent with primary timesharing.
Estimate only — based on a simplified reading of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16-3 Basic Child Support Schedule. A judge can deviate. Not legal advice.
Get a plain-English copy of this estimate, the numbers used, and a short checklist for what to review before relying on it.
Pennsylvania's child support is calculated using an income shares model. The basic child support obligation is determined by a schedule that reflects amounts estimated to be spent on children in an intact household, based on the parents' combined net income and the number of children. This amount is then prorated between the parents based on their respective net incomes. For combined monthly net incomes above $30,000, a specific formula is applied. The schedule excludes childcare expenses, child health insurance premiums, and extraordinary unreimbursed medical expenses, which are addressed on a case-by-case basis. However, it retains $250 per child per year for ordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses.
A substantial change in either parent's income — voluntary or involuntary — can trigger a modification.
Changes in childcare costs or the children's health insurance premiums directly adjust the support amount.
If the custody schedule changes significantly, support can be recalculated under Pennsylvania guidelines.
Medical conditions, disabilities, or educational needs can justify a departure from the guideline amount.
Common questions
In Pennsylvania, an uncontested divorce with mutual consent typically takes at least 90 days after the complaint is served. If there's no mutual consent, a one-year separation period is required before the divorce can be finalized. Contested divorces can take much longer, from several months to over a year.
While it is possible to file for divorce without a lawyer in Pennsylvania, especially for simple, uncontested cases, it is generally recommended to consult with an attorney. Self-represented litigants are held to the same standards as attorneys, and a lawyer can help navigate complex legal issues like property division, alimony, and child custody.
Yes, Pennsylvania is a no-fault divorce state. This means you can obtain a divorce based on the marriage being "irretrievably broken" without proving fault. However, fault-based divorce is also an option under specific grounds.
Pennsylvania follows the principle of equitable distribution. This means marital property (assets and debts acquired during the marriage) is divided fairly, but not necessarily equally, between the spouses. The court considers various factors, such as the length of the marriage, age, health, and economic circumstances of each party, and contributions to the marital estate.
In Pennsylvania, alimony is financial support paid by one spouse to the other after a divorce. It is not mandatory and is awarded only if the court finds it necessary to help a financially dependent spouse. The court considers factors like the length of the marriage, earning capacities, and financial resources of each party when determining alimony.
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