Massachusetts Child Support Calculator

Massachusetts uses the income shares model. Massachusetts uses an Income Shares Model under the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines. Both parents' available incomes are combined and each parent's share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income. The 2025 guidelines (effective December 1, 2025) increased the combined income cap to $450,000 per year. For low-income payors earning less than $301/week, support is capped at $15/week; for $302-$391/week, capped at $33/week. The child care cost benchmark was increased to $430/child/week to reflect rising costs.

Gross income from all sources is typically used, including wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, investment income, Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, and disability benefits. Courts may also impute income if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.

Child support in Massachusetts generally continues until the child turns 18, or through high school graduation if the child is still in school. Some orders extend to age 19 or 21 depending on the state and circumstances (college support, special needs).

Yes, child support orders in Massachusetts can be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances. Common reasons include significant income changes (job loss, promotion), changes in custody arrangement, changes in the child's needs, or changes in healthcare costs.

Massachusetts has enforcement mechanisms including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension (driver's and professional), bank account levies, contempt of court charges, and reporting to credit bureaus. Failure to pay can result in fines and jail time.