Estimate Your Illinois Child Support in Minutes
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Illinois Family Code in under a minute.
Illinois Child Support Calculator
Estimate based on Illinois income-shares mechanics (heuristic) and shared-parenting adjustment logic. For informational purposes only.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Results may differ based on judicial findings and individual circumstances.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Child Support in Illinois
Discover what you need to know about Child Support Laws in Illinois.
Illinois calculates child support using the Illinois “income shares” model under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/505). The formula is based on:
Both parents’ net incomes
The number of children
A statewide guideline schedule
Parenting time adjustments (in some cases)
Add-ons such as health insurance and childcare
The goal is to estimate what parents would have spent on the child if they were raising the child together. For an estimate tailored to your situation, you can use the Deliberately.ai child support calculator above—but only a court order is legally binding.
Child support in Illinois is influenced by:
Each parent’s net income
The number of children
The allocation of parenting time
Health insurance premiums for the child
Work-related childcare expenses
Extraordinary medical or educational expenses
Other court-approved deviations
If income is disputed, fluctuates, or involves self-employment, the calculation can become more complex.
There is no single number that applies to everyone. The final amount depends on:
Both parents’ financial information
The statutory income shares schedule
Any parenting time adjustments
Court-approved deviations
For a reliable estimate before filing or negotiating, use the Deliberately.ai calculator above—keeping in mind the court has final authority.
In most cases, child support ends when the child:
Turns 18, or
Graduates from high school (if still enrolled at 18)
However, Illinois law also allows for post-high school educational support in certain situations, which may extend beyond age 18.
Not always automatically.
You must review your specific court order
Income withholding may continue unless properly terminated
If post-secondary (college) support was ordered, obligations may extend
It is important to confirm the termination date in your judgment.
Yes. A child support order may be modified when:
There has been a substantial change in circumstances
There has been a significant change in income
A statutory review period applies
Modifications generally apply going forward from the date the motion is filed—not retroactively to already accrued amounts.
Timeframes vary depending on:
Whether the case is uncontested
Court scheduling in your county
Whether income or expenses are disputed
The complexity of financial documentation
Uncontested cases may resolve in weeks to months; contested cases may take longer.
Illinois child support is intended to help cover:
Housing
Food
Clothing
Transportation
Basic daily living expenses
Additional costs such as health insurance, childcare, and certain extracurricular or medical expenses may be added separately.
It can—but only if:
The costs are included in the child support worksheet
The court order specifically accounts for them
Simply paying medical bills does not automatically reduce your support obligation without court approval.
Illinois generally uses net income and may include:
Wages and salary
Bonuses and commissions
Overtime
Self-employment income
Certain benefits
If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income based on earning capacity.
Failure to pay child support may result in enforcement actions such as:
Wage withholding
Tax refund interception
Driver’s or professional license suspension
Liens
Contempt proceedings
Enforcement actions may escalate as arrears grow.
Arrears:
Do not disappear
Remain enforceable until paid
Can be collected even after the child reaches adulthood
Interest may apply in certain circumstances.
In serious cases, willful nonpayment may lead to:
Contempt proceedings
Fines
Possible jail time
If you are facing enforcement or contempt, seeking legal advice early is strongly recommended.
Yes. Common enforcement tools include:
Automatic wage withholding
Bank levies
Tax intercepts
Property liens
Illinois has broad enforcement authority in child support matters.
Not automatically.
Parenting time is considered in certain shared parenting situations
Income differences remain a key factor
Even with substantial parenting time, support may still be owed
Shared custody does not eliminate child support.
Yes, in some situations.
Illinois allows courts to order post-secondary (college) educational expenses
Support for a child with qualifying disabilities may extend beyond age 18
These extensions are not automatic and depend on court findings.
Parents cannot privately override a court order.
Child support is considered the right of the child
Any modification must be approved by the court
Private agreements without court approval may not be enforceable.
A lawyer is not required for simple, uncontested cases. However, legal representation is strongly recommended when:
Income is disputed
Self-employment is involved
Arrears exist
A deviation from guidelines is requested
College expense allocation is involved
You will typically need:
Recent pay stubs
Federal and state tax returns
Proof of health insurance costs
Childcare documentation
Existing court orders
Incomplete financial documentation is one of the most common causes of delay.
Child support cases are handled through the Illinois Circuit Courts, and families may also work with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) for establishment and enforcement.
If income, expenses, or parentage are likely to be contested, consulting an experienced Illinois family lawyer before filing can help avoid costly mistakes and delays.
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