How is child support calculated in Arizona?

Question

Accepted Answer

Arizona   child support   is governed by   A.R.S. § 25-320   and the   Arizona Child Support Guidelines   (most recent version effective   January 1, 2022  ), adopted by Arizona Supreme Court order.    1. The Income Shares Calculation   1. Determine each parent's   gross monthly income   (wages, self-employment, commissions, bonuses, severance, dividends, pensions, gifts, etc., per Guideline § II). 2.   Combine   gross incomes. 3. Find the   Basic Child Support Obligation   on the   Schedule of Basic Support Obligations   in the Guidelines. 4. Add allowable expenses — childcare, medical insurance, extraordinary expenses. 5. Pro rate by each parent's income share.    2. Parenting Time Adjustment (Guideline § IX)   Unlike many states, Arizona uses a   per-day Parenting Time Table   that gives the noncustodial parent a credit based on the   annual number of parenting days  . A "day" = a 12+ hour block. The table assigns escalating credit percentages from 4 days (1.3% reduction) up to   183 days   (50% credit).    3. Self-Support Reserve (Guideline § XI)   The obligor's income after support must be at least the   federal poverty guideline for one person   ($1,255/month in 2024, indexed annually). Below the SSR, the order is reduced to a presumptive minimum.    4. Combined Income Cap   Schedule applies up to combined adjusted gross income of   $30,000/month  . Above the cap, the court determines support based on the   needs of the child  , requiring written findings.    5. Duration (A.R.S. § 25-320(F))   Support continues until the child: - Reaches   age 18  , OR - Reaches   age 19   if still in   high school full-time   and reasonably expected to graduate.  Adult disabled child support possible under A.R.S. § 25-320(E) if disability arose before age 18 and is severe.    6. Modification (A.R.S. § 25-327)   Modification requires: - A   substantial and continuing change   in circumstances, OR -   Simplified modification   if guideline recalculation differs by   15% or more   from the existing order.  The Department of Economic Security conducts   3-year reviews   of Title IV-D orders.    7. Deviation (Guideline § XX)   Court may deviate from presumptive amount with written findings — equal parenting time arrangements, extraordinarily high earner, special-needs child, etc.    8. Imputed Income   Voluntary unemployment/underemployment allows imputation based on local labor market and the obligor's qualifications, with an   assumption of full-time minimum-wage   employment as a floor.  This is legal information, not legal advice.