Simple Child Support Calculator
To calculate child support in Rhode Island, we recommend using the RI Child Support Guidelines. There appears to be no simpler way to estimate support payments.
The RI Child Support Guidelines steps you through a complex calculation. You may need to work through each part carefully to get an accurate assessment. Unfortunately, the Rhode Island scheme is complex and a simple, reliable calculator does not appear to be available.
Rhode Island Parenting Time Calculator
While Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Child support payments in Rhode Island are calculated using the income shares only method. Payments depend on the combined income of the parents as well as the number of children eligible for support. A bigger combined income or extra children typically means higher payments.
The amounts transferred also depend on each parent’s income share or income percentage. Rhode Islanders paying the most support are non-custodial parents with high incomes. The biggest receivers are low-income parents with primary physical custody and a high-earning payer.
We refer to the method as "income shares only" since Rhode Island lacks a well-defined way of adjusting payments for the exact amount of parenting time each parent contributes. A parent’s share of care time is not a detailed part of the guidelines, as is usually the case with income sharing models.
Gross income covers income from many sources, including workers compensation. However, benefits received from the Family Independence Program are not considered income. Mandatory deductions include health insurance premiums, pre-existing child support payments, support of additional children and the cost of child care.
In the state of Rhode Island, child support is calculated using the shared income model which determines the weekly support order for each child. The overall idea is that children are justified in living to the standard based on the combined income of both parents. ... These deductions are subtracted from the gross income.
Chad Bank
Rhode Islander child support guidelines apply to the whole state, including the cities of Providence, Cranston, Warwick and Pawtucket. 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