How child support is calculated in Minnesota
How the guideline works, what the official calculator needs, and the low-income and health insurance rules.
Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.
Short answer
Minnesota uses the income-shares model: both parents' incomes count, and each parent pays a share of the child's support. Each parent's monthly income (PICS) is added together. The state table gives basic support for that combined income and the number of children, and each parent pays a share by percentage of income.
- Model
- Income shares
- Official calculator
- Official Minnesota child support calculator
The official Minnesota calculator
Each parent's monthly income (PICS) is added together. The state table gives basic support for that combined income and the number of children, and each parent pays a share by percentage of income. Child care and medical support are added, and the amount is adjusted for parenting time.
Law: Minn. Stat. §§518A.26 to 518A.43
We don't estimate Minnesota'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 Minnesota
The court orders medical support, which can include private health coverage and a share of uninsured costs. Private dependent coverage is presumed affordable if the premium for the child is no more than 5% of the parents' combined monthly income. A paying parent with income under 200% of the poverty guideline, or on public assistance, is not ordered to contribute toward public health coverage.
Law: Minn. Stat. §518A.41
If the paying parent earns little in Minnesota
Support is presumed not to exceed the paying parent's ability to pay: a self-support reserve of 120% of the federal poverty guideline for one person is subtracted from that parent's income. The minimum basic support is $50 a month for one child, $60 for two, up to $100 for six or more, and a parent ordered to pay the minimum is presumed unable to pay child care and medical support.
Law: Minn. Stat. §518A.42
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 goes into support in Minnesota
Each parent's monthly income (PICS) is added together. The state table gives basic support for that combined income and the number of children, and each parent pays a share by percentage of income. Child care and medical support are added, and the amount is adjusted for parenting time.
Law: Minn. Stat. §§518A.26 to 518A.43
How this kind of formula works
Income shares means the child should get what the parents would spend if they lived together. Both incomes are combined, and each parent's share of the total sets their part.
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
- Iowa: Income shares
- South Dakota: Income shares
- Nebraska: Income shares
- Michigan: Income shares
Steps to a support amount in Minnesota
Gather income papers
Pay stubs, tax returns and benefit letters for both parents, if you have them.
Use the official tool
The official number comes from Official Minnesota child support calculator.
Count health and child care
Health insurance, child care and other costs can be added or shared as the state's rules say.
Ask for an order
The agency can set up an order: contact Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Child Support Division
Get help
Free help: LawHelpMN.org (Minnesota legal aid).
Free help in Minnesota
Questions about the Minnesota guidelines
How is child support calculated in Minnesota?
Each parent's monthly income (PICS) is added together. The state table gives basic support for that combined income and the number of children, and each parent pays a share by percentage of income. Child care and medical support are added, and the amount is adjusted for parenting time.
Does Minnesota have an online support calculator?
How does Minnesota treat low incomes?
Support is presumed not to exceed the paying parent's ability to pay: a self-support reserve of 120% of the federal poverty guideline for one person is subtracted from that parent's income. The minimum basic support is $50 a month for one child, $60 for two, up to $100 for six or more, and a parent ordered to pay the minimum is presumed unable to pay child care and medical support.
How are medical costs shared in Minnesota?
The court orders medical support, which can include private health coverage and a share of uninsured costs. Private dependent coverage is presumed affordable if the premium for the child is no more than 5% of the parents' combined monthly income. A paying parent with income under 200% of the poverty guideline, or on public assistance, is not ordered to contribute toward public health coverage.
Related Minnesota pages
Sources
- Minn. Stat. §§518A.26 to 518A.43
- Minn. Stat. §518A.26 Definitions (child)
- Minn. Stat. §518A.39 Modification
- Minn. Stat. §518A.41 Medical support
- Minn. Stat. §518A.42 Ability to pay; minimum
- Minn. Stat. §518A.51 Fees for IV-D services
- Minn. Stat. §518A.65 Driver's license suspension
- Minn. Stat. §548.091 Child support judgments; no interest
- Minn. Stat. §257.75 Recognition of parentage
- Minn. Stat. §257.62 Genetic tests
Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.