Child support, alimony, divorce, and custody costs vary dramatically by state. Our calculators use the official formula your state applies so you know the real numbers before you hire an attorney.
Child support in the US averages $430/month. In Income Shares states (41 states), both parents' incomes are combined and split proportionally. In Texas, the paying parent pays 20% of net income for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three. The average contested divorce costs $15,000 to $30,000.
Each calculator applies the official formula for your selected state. Enter your information and get an instant estimate with no login or email required.
Family law disputes are among the most financially unpredictable legal situations most people ever face. A contested divorce involving children and shared assets can cost $30,000 or more per spouse. Child support and alimony obligations can last years or decades. Understanding the numbers before you walk into an attorney's office can make a significant financial difference.
Every calculator on this page uses the actual formula your state applies. Child support in Texas uses the Percentage of Income model, capped at 20 percent of net resources for one child. California uses an Income Shares model with a complex algebraic formula. These are not estimates based on national averages. They are the same calculations a court-appointed evaluator would run.
Our calculators are not a substitute for legal advice. A family law attorney can identify factors our calculators cannot account for: hidden income, stock options, business ownership, retirement assets, and the specific tendencies of judges in your county. But knowing your baseline numbers helps you evaluate whether a proposed settlement is reasonable. Learn how we verify our data.
Before retaining a family law attorney, understanding the likely cost range gives you a significant negotiating advantage. Attorneys in this field charge $200 to $500 per hour. Knowing whether your child support obligation is $400 or $1,200 per month before your first consultation changes the entire conversation. These calculators give you that number in 30 seconds, for free.