Rhode Island Child Support Calculator

Rhode Island uses the income shares model. Rhode Island uses the Income Shares Model for calculating child support. Under the Rhode Island Family Court Child Support Guidelines, both parents' adjusted gross incomes are combined to determine the Basic Child Support Obligation from the Child Support Obligation Schedule. Each parent's share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income. The guidelines were last updated effective July 1, 2023, with a revised Child Support Guideline Chart Income Schedule. Form FC-78 (Child Support Guidelines Worksheet) is the standardized calculation tool.

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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island 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.