{"id":375967,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-child-support-guidelines.html"},"modified":"2025-06-13T16:07:29","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T21:07:29","slug":"pennsylvania-child-support-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-child-support-guidelines.html","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Whether parents separate, divorce, or were never together as a sustained couple, one of the hardest issues for them to resolve is child custody and child support. In most instances, the non-custodial parent (NCP) pays the parent with primary physical custody a specific amount of child support each month.<\/p>\r\n

Parents can sometimes negotiate a child support agreement without going to court. The only other option for resolving child support disputes is by going before a judge. The judge will then determine whether either party deserves child support and, if so, how much.<\/p>\r\n

When calculating child support, the Pennsylvania courts rely on the state\u2019s child support guidelines. They will also entertain other factors, such as which parent pays insurance premiums for the child\u2019s healthcare.<\/p>\r\n

In Pennsylvania, child support<\/a> obligations normally last until the child turns 18. They can last longer if the child is still in high school at that age or has a physical or mental condition requiring extra support.<\/p>\r\n

This article will examine how the Pennsylvania child support guidelines work and the factors the courts consider when determining how much child support the NCP must pay. Read on for a better understanding of what shapes child support payments in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\r\n

How To Request Child Support in Pennsylvania<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

When a married couple with children gets divorced, they must resolve all issues related to the children. For example, they must decide who will have primary custody of the children. They\u2019ll also have to agree on a custody arrangement.<\/p>\r\n

These two decisions will directly impact the amount of child support the NCP will pay. The parent who spends the most overnights with the kids will receive child support.<\/p>\r\n

As part of the final divorce, the parties must present their custody and child support plan to the judge for approval. If the judge approves the arrangement, they will sign a child support order. This court order will outline which party will pay support and how much they will pay.<\/p>\r\n

The process for securing child support is different for parents who were never married. Since there was no marriage, there will be no divorce settlement. If the parents cannot agree on custody and child support, they\u2019ll have to go before a family law judge.<\/p>\r\n

The judge will treat this child support case like any other. They\u2019ll gather the relevant financial information from both parties, input it into the child support worksheet, and calculate the amount of child support due each month.<\/p>\r\n

The Actual Process for Requesting Child Support in Pennsylvania<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Regardless of whether the parents were together for a decade or a single evening, the majority of child support cases start with a parent filing an Application for Child Support<\/a> to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The party requesting support can also submit this form to the local Domestic Relations Section (DRS) in their county.<\/p>\r\n

Officials can help you with the following:<\/p>\r\n