Simple Child Support Calculator
For a simple and easy calculation of child support in Massachusetts, we suggest trying the Skylark Law calculator. Massachusetts appears to lack an official, government calculator that is easy to use.
The Skylark Law calculator is quite simple and easy to use. But note that the estimator may not always be accurate and up to date for 2024. For a more reliable assessment, you can try the official version.
In the state of Massachusetts, the result of an online calculation should be interpreted carefully. You should treat the estimate as just a preliminary indication of the child support amount you could receive or be required to pay.
Massachusetts Parenting Time Calculator
While Massachusetts child support guidelines focus on which parent is the "custodial parent", parenting time shares have the potential to affect child support. Actual parenting time percentages could influence the order a judge makes or how much parents agree to.
Use this overnights calculator to work out your parenting time percentage. Most states measure parenting time based on overnight stays.
Calculate annual overnight stays
Regular nights
Vacation nights each year*
183 overnight stays per year.
50.0% of parenting time.
* Vacation nights are all nights when the regular schedule does not apply.
How Child Support is Calculated in Massachusetts
Child support payments in Massachusetts are calculated using the income shares method. Payments depend on the combined incomes of the parents as well as the number of children. A larger combined income or more children usually means greater payments.
The amount paid or received by an individual parent also depends on income and parenting time percentages.
- If your income percentage (your share of combined income) is higher than your care percentage (share of parenting time), you are probably the payer.
- The receiver is normally the parent with a care percentage above their income percentage.
Massachusettsans paying the most child support have high incomes and rarely look after their children. On the flipside, the biggest receivers are parents who (a) work little (b) have their kids nearly all the time and (c) have a high earner as the other parent.
The basic calculations under the Massachusetts guidelines are based on the children having a primary residence with one parent and spending around one-third of the time with the other. But the guidelines apply to all types of parenting plan schedules.
In Massachusetts, the parent with less parenting time typically pays child support monthly, though a judge can order weekly payments. If parents have nearly equal time with the children and both contribute financially, the parent with the higher income pays.
Custody X Change
Massachusettsan child support guidelines apply to the whole state, including the cities of Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge and Lowell. Variations in support payments may be made by the agreement of parents or at the discretion of a judge presiding over your case.
Payment Calculators by State