Massachusetts Child Support Calculations

By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last updated February 21, 2025

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In Massachusetts, both parents are equally responsible for supporting their children, regardless of marital status. One way a parent fulfills this duty is by making child support payments.

Massachusetts follows an "income shares" model to calculate the support obligation. This means the family courts consider both parents’ income when calculating the financial support a child would’ve had if their parents still lived together. (You can estimate the amount of child support by using the Massachusetts child support guidelines worksheets.)

Here, we’ll explain how the Massachusetts courts calculate child support obligations. We will also discuss the factors determining how much support the non-custodial parent (NCP) must pay. If you still have questions about your child support case, see the FindLaw resources at the end of this page or contact a Massachusetts family law attorney.

Factors the Courts Use to Determine Child Support Amount

The courts usually enter the parents’ financial information into the state child support guidelines. The court clerk then enters this into some software, and the child support calculator gives the amount of child support. But this number isn’t set until the judge approves it.

Some of the factors that determine an NCP’s child support obligation include:

Both parents’ income (gross weekly income)
The parents’ combined income
Which parent will pay health insurance costs for the kids
The number of children
Parenting time and the parties’ custody arrangement
The NCP’s available income after deducting necessary living expenses
Whether either parent is getting dependency benefits
Whether the parties get (or pay) alimony, Social Security benefits, or disability
Which parent will live in the primary home with the minor children

Once the clerk inputs the above information, the judge will have the presumptive guideline amount and add it to their court order. The payor/payee must follow this order unless they can show why the court should change the support amount.

Explanation of Massachusetts Child Support Calculations

The laws on child support calculations are lengthy and convoluted. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) doesn’t care whether a paying parent understands the law. It only sees whether the NCP follows the order.

Reading a jargon-free guide to the statutes is a good way to understand Massachusetts child support laws. The chart below explains Massachusetts child support calculations in readable terms.

Statutes	Massachusetts General Laws: Chapter 208, § 28 Chapter 119A
Parents’ income	Massachusetts’ child support calculations consider the parent’s gross income, not net income.
Parenting time	Determination of parenting time — the time that the parent spends with their child — is part of the child support calculations. Parents who share physical custody and have equal parenting time may still need a child support order. (For example, if one parent earns much more than the other, they will likely have to pay child support.) Calculations for 50/50 parenting time: The court performs the calculation first, with one parent as the primary caretaker The court then calculates using the other parent as the primary caretaker Once the court completes both calculations, it subtracts the smaller number from the larger number. The difference is the presumptive child support amount the higher-earning parent must pay the other parent
Allowed deductions	Health care costs Dental insurance Vision insurance Childcare costs Other support obligations (including prior alimony obligations, support for other children, etc.)

Disclaimer: State laws are subject to change through new legislation, higher court rulings, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information, consult a Massachusetts family law attorney or conduct legal research to verify your state laws.

Discuss Child Support Calculations With a Massachusetts Attorney

Understanding Massachusetts child support calculations can be challenging. Ensuring that your child support obligation is accurate is important for your child. If you have any questions or issues with child support, seek legal advice from an experienced Massachusetts child support attorney.