How child support is calculated in Arizona
What decides the amount, where to get the real number, and the extra rules.
Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.
Short answer
Arizona uses the income-shares model: both parents' incomes count, and each parent pays a share of the child's support. Both parents' monthly incomes are added and the state schedule gives the basic support for that income and number of children.
- Model
- Income shares
- Official calculator
- Official Arizona child support calculator
Get the number from Arizona's official tool
Both parents' monthly incomes are added and the state schedule gives the basic support for that income and number of children. Costs such as the children's insurance, child care and extra education are added, each parent pays his or her share of income, and the paying parent gets an adjustment for parenting time.
Law: Arizona Child Support Guidelines (2022), adopted by Ariz. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order 2021-56, effective for orders entered after January 1, 2022; A.R.S. 25-320
We don't estimate Arizona's amount here: its formula uses both parents' incomes and other facts, and a home-made number could mislead you. The official tool gives the real starting number:
The child's health costs in Arizona
The order assigns which parent provides medical, dental and vision insurance; the cost of the children's coverage is added to the support calculation. Uncovered medical costs are split by the percentage in the order; ask the other parent for repayment within 180 days, with the date, provider and service (Guidelines Section X).
The Arizona guideline, step by step
Both parents' monthly incomes are added and the state schedule gives the basic support for that income and number of children. Costs such as the children's insurance, child care and extra education are added, each parent pays his or her share of income, and the paying parent gets an adjustment for parenting time.
Law: Arizona Child Support Guidelines (2022), adopted by Ariz. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order 2021-56, effective for orders entered after January 1, 2022; A.R.S. 25-320
Low incomes in Arizona
A self-support reserve test protects the paying parent: the reserve equals 80% of full-time earnings at the Arizona minimum wage for that year. If paying the guideline amount would leave the parent below the reserve, the order is reduced (2022 Guidelines, Section VIII).
State guidelines may not treat time in jail or prison as choosing not to work, when support is set or changed.
Law: 45 CFR 302.56(c)(3)
What the model means
The income-shares model looks up an amount for the parents' combined income, then splits it by each parent's share of that income. Parenting time and costs can change it.
Every state must have one set of child support guidelines, review them at least every 4 years, and use the guideline amount unless a written finding says it would be unjust.
Law: 45 CFR 302.56
In nearby states
- New Mexico: Income shares
- Utah: Income shares
- Colorado: Income shares
- California: Income shares
From income to an order in Arizona
Find the income numbers
Pay stubs, tax returns and benefit letters for both parents, if you have them.
Use the official tool
The official number comes from Official Arizona child support calculator.
Add the extra costs
Health insurance, child care and other costs can be added or shared as the state's rules say.
Open a case
Only a court or the agency can set the amount. Open a case with Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) · Apply online
Get help
Legal aid can help for free: AZLawHelp.org (legal aid) and Community Legal Services.
Free legal help in Arizona
Questions about the Arizona guidelines
What formula does Arizona use for child support?
Both parents' monthly incomes are added and the state schedule gives the basic support for that income and number of children. Costs such as the children's insurance, child care and extra education are added, each parent pays his or her share of income, and the paying parent gets an adjustment for parenting time.
Is there an official child support calculator for Arizona?
Is there a low-income rule in Arizona?
A self-support reserve test protects the paying parent: the reserve equals 80% of full-time earnings at the Arizona minimum wage for that year. If paying the guideline amount would leave the parent below the reserve, the order is reduced (2022 Guidelines, Section VIII).
Who pays for the child's health insurance in Arizona?
The order assigns which parent provides medical, dental and vision insurance; the cost of the children's coverage is added to the support calculation. Uncovered medical costs are split by the percentage in the order; ask the other parent for repayment within 180 days, with the date, provider and service (Guidelines Section X).
Related Arizona pages
Sources
- Arizona Child Support Guidelines (2022), adopted by Ariz. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order 2021-56, effective for orders entered after January 1, 2022; A.R.S. 25-320
- Ariz. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order 2021-56 with 2022 Arizona Child Support Guidelines
- Ariz. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order 2026-54 (guidelines review subcommittee)
- Child Support Resources (azcourts.gov)
- A.R.S. 25-503
- Maricopa County Superior Court LLRC - Family Court Forms
- Maricopa County Superior Court LLRC - Change Child Support
- 45 CFR 302.33 (annual $35 fee)
- A.R.S. 25-510 (interest)
- A.R.S. 25-517, 25-518 (license suspension)
- A.R.S. 25-812 (acknowledgment of paternity)
- A.R.S. 25-501
- OCSS Intergovernmental Reference Guide - Arizona profile
Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.