Estimate Your Massachusetts Child Support in Minutes
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Massachusetts Child Support Calculator
Estimate based on MA weekly guideline schedule heuristics. 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 Massachusetts
Discover what you need to know about Child Support Laws in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts calculates child support under the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines, issued by the Massachusetts Trial Court pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 208 Section 28 and related statutes.
Massachusetts follows an income shares model, meaning the court estimates what both parents would have contributed to the child if living together and divides that obligation proportionally based on income.
The formula is based on:
Both parents’ gross weekly incomes
The number of children
A statewide guideline schedule
Health insurance premiums for the child
Work-related childcare expenses
Allocation of parenting time
Other court-approved adjustments or deviations
Massachusetts uses a standardized Child Support Guidelines Worksheet to determine the presumptive support amount.
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 Massachusetts is influenced by:
Each parent’s gross weekly income
The number of children
The parenting schedule (including shared parenting time)
Health insurance costs for the child
Work-related childcare expenses
Other children being supported
Alimony paid or received
Court-approved deviations
Cases involving self-employment, fluctuating income, bonuses, or complex parenting schedules may require additional financial documentation and analysis.
There is no universal amount. The final figure depends on:
Both parents’ verified weekly income
The Massachusetts guideline formula
Parenting time allocation
Health insurance and childcare allocations
Any 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
Turns 21 if the child is domiciled with a parent and primarily dependent on that parent for maintenance
In some cases, support may continue until age 23 if the child is enrolled in an educational program and primarily dependent on a parent.
The specific termination language in your court order controls.
Not necessarily automatically.
You should review your court order carefully.
Income withholding may continue unless properly terminated.
Arrears remain owed even after the support obligation ends.
It is important to confirm termination procedures through the court before stopping payments.
Yes. A child support order may be modified when:
There has been a material and substantial change in circumstances
Income has significantly increased or decreased
Parenting time has changed
The existing order is inconsistent with current guidelines
Modifications generally apply from the date the complaint for modification is filed—not retroactively to previously owed support.
Timeframes depend on:
Whether the case is uncontested
Court scheduling in your county
Whether income or custody is disputed
The complexity of financial disclosures
Uncontested cases may resolve within a few months. Contested matters may take longer depending on court availability and financial complexity.
Massachusetts child support is intended to help cover:
Housing
Food
Clothing
Transportation
Basic daily living expenses
Health insurance premiums and work-related childcare expenses are typically added to the guideline calculation.
Child support cases are handled through the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court.
Families may also work with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Division for establishment and enforcement services.
If income, custody, or expenses are likely to be contested, consulting an experienced Massachusetts family lawyer before filing can help prevent costly mistakes and delays.
It can—but only if:
The expenses are included in the official child support worksheet
The court order specifically accounts for them
Paying medical expenses outside the order does not automatically reduce your obligation.
Massachusetts generally considers gross weekly income, which may include:
Wages and salary
Overtime
Bonuses and commissions
Self-employment income
Rental income
Unemployment or disability benefits
Social Security benefits (excluding SSI)
Severance pay
Other recurring income sources
If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may attribute income based on earning capacity.
Failure to pay child support may result in enforcement actions such as:
Wage garnishment (income withholding)
Tax refund interception
Driver’s license suspension
Professional license suspension
Bank account seizure
Liens against property
Contempt proceedings
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Division (DOR/CSE) has authority to pursue enforcement actions.
Arrears:
Remain owed until paid in full
Do not disappear when the child reaches termination age
May be collected through enforcement tools
May accrue statutory interest
Unpaid support cannot be waived without court approval.
In serious cases of willful nonpayment, courts may initiate contempt proceedings. Consequences can include:
Fines
Probation
Possible jail time
If you are facing enforcement or contempt, seeking legal guidance early is strongly recommended.
Yes. Common enforcement tools include:
Automatic income withholding
Bank levies
Tax intercepts
Property liens
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Division has authority to pursue collection actions.
Not automatically.
Massachusetts considers parenting time in the guideline formula. Substantial shared parenting time may:
Adjust the support calculation
Impact the final weekly amount
Still result in one parent owing support depending on income differences
Even in shared custody situations, support may still be owed.
Yes, in certain circumstances.
Support may continue until age 21 if the child remains primarily dependent.
Support may extend to age 23 if the child is enrolled in an educational program and dependent.
Support for a child with qualifying disabilities may extend beyond age 18.
College contributions are not automatic but may be addressed by court order.
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 straightforward cases. However, legal representation is strongly recommended when:
Income is disputed
Self-employment or business income is involved
Arrears exist
A deviation from guidelines is requested
Custody arrangements are contested
You will typically need:
Recent pay stubs
Federal and state tax returns
A completed Financial Statement (Short Form or Long Form)
Proof of health insurance costs
Childcare documentation
Existing court orders
Incomplete financial disclosure is one of the most common causes of delay.
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