Mississippi Child Support Guidelines

When a child only lives with one of his or her parents (the custodial parent), the parent that the child doesn't live with (the non-custodial parent) will often be required to pay child support to the custodial parent. The idea is that both parents are obligated to financially provide for their children.

But how much child support is the non-custodial parent required to pay? Family courts determine how much child support a parent is required to pay by using the state's child support guidelines. The following chart highlights Mississippi's main child support guidelines.

Criteria for Deviating from the Child Support Guidelines

There is a reputable presumption that child support awards calculated according to Mississippi's support guidelines are appropriate and just. This presumption can be overcome by a court considering the following facts and finding that the guidelines aren't appropriate:

• Extraordinary medical, psychological, educational, or dental expenses
• Independent income of the child
• The payment of both child support and spousal support to the custodial spouse
• Seasonal variations in one or both parents' incomes or expenses
• The age of the child (taking into account the greater needs of older children)
• Special needs that have traditionally been met within the family budget
• The particular shared parental agreement
• Total available assets of either parents or the child
• Child care expenses paid by the non-custodial parent in order to seek or retain employment, or because of the non-custodial parent's disability, or
• Any other adjustment needed to achieve an equitable result

Additional Resources

State laws change frequently. For case specific information about Mississippi's child support guidelines contact a local family law attorney.