Ohio Child Support Calculations

By Susan Buckner, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq. | Last reviewed May 06, 2025

Under Ohio law, parents must provide for their minor children’s needs for food, shelter, and clothing until the children are 18 or while still in high school. If the parents divorce or legally separate, courts order the noncustodial parent to pay child support in the best interest of the child.

Ohio child support guidelines base the amount of child support on the parents’ combined annual incomes multiplied by a percentage. This figure gives the basic child support obligation. Of course, judges consider other things when arriving at the final child support payment.

Child Support Calculation Guidelines

In Ohio, child support calculations include a “self-sufficiency reserve” so that parents have enough resources to live without public assistance.

The guideline calculations have step-ups for the parent’s income and the number of children, up to six children and a maximum annual income of $300,000. More than that amount and the judge has discretion to adjust support payments in the child’s best interests.

Determining Child Support Calculations

The parents’ annual gross income means all earned income from all sources in a calendar year (Ohio Revised Code Title XXXI. Section 3119.01). Income includes wages, tips, royalties, social security benefits, pensions, and self-employment income. Income does not include:

Benefits from a government means-tested program
Benefits for any service-related disability
Child support for children other than those in the current support order
Mandatory payroll deductions such as income tax and union dues
Nonrecurring or unsustainable income, such as a single lump-sum lottery payment

Other factors that affect the basic support obligation include:

The amount of parenting time each parent receives (equal time can result in a reduction of support payments)
The number of children in the support order
Court-ordered health insurance, childcare expenses, or spousal support
Out-of-pocket medical expenses (Ohio provides a minimum annual cash medical payment for medical costs split between both parents)

Ohio courts use a child support worksheet that explains how the court determines the basic child support order. Parents can use the Ohio child support calculator online to estimate their support payment.

Deviation and Modification From a Support Order

A family law judge may deviate from the statutory guidelines if applicable (§ 3119.22). The judge may consider any of the factors that would be in the best interests of the minor child or the parents, such as:

The child’s special physical, psychological, or educational needs
Extended parenting time or costs related to parenting time
Unusual disparity between the parental incomes
The obligee’s income, if less than 100% of the federal poverty level
Extraordinary costs incurred by either parent, such as child care costs, work-related expenses, or compliance with court-ordered reunification efforts (such as parenting classes)
Offsets for in-kind contributions such as payment for school equipment, uniforms, etc.

The goal of child support payments is to ensure the child enjoys the same standard of living as before the parents separated, while maintaining a payment that the obligor can afford.

Agency Review and Enforcement

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) Child Support Enforcement Agency reviews and enforces child support payments. Once courts establish a basic child support schedule, CSEA reviews it every 36 months. Parents may request a review if there is a substantial change in circumstances.

Valid reasons for modification include:

Change in a parent’s finances due to unemployment, health issues, or other reasons
Change in the child’s needs
Change in custody arrangements
Military deployment or assignment to active duty

Parents should not modify their own support agreement without notifying the court. If you cannot make the required support payment, contact the CSEA or a family law attorney immediately.

Note: State laws are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, court rulings (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. FindLaw strives to provide the most current information available. You should consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) before making any legal decisions.