Minnesota Child Support
Estimate for Minnesota
Minnesota uses the Income Shares model.
Official schedule: Minnesota Statutes § 518A.35, Subd. 2 Basic Support Guideline (PICS). Income basis = Combined monthly Parental Income for Determining Child Support (gross). (2024)
View calculation breakdown
| Combined parental income | $9,000 |
|---|---|
| Total basic obligation (schedule) | $1,635 |
| Obligor income share | 55.6% |
| Obligor basic obligation | $908 |
| Estimated monthly support | $908 |
How the basic obligation splits between parents
Estimated monthly support by number of children
§ How Minnesota calculates support
Minnesota uses the Income Shares model on both parents' gross income, adjusted to 'Parental Income for Determining Child Support' (PICS = gross minus deductions for nonjoint children and other court-ordered support). The statutory guideline table (Minn. Stat. § 518A.35) sets the basic obligation by combined PICS and number of children; medical and childcare support are added proportionally. The guideline applies up to $20,000 combined monthly PICS (higher amounts are capped at that level unless a child has special needs). A self-support reserve (about 120% of the federal poverty level) protects the obligor.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case in Minnesota
- Establish parentage if needed (Recognition of Parentage or court order), then file with the county child support office or the district court.
- Both parents provide financial information; the county calculates each parent's PICS (gross income minus allowed deductions for other children/support).
- Use the online calculator (childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us) or the worksheets: the § 518A.35 table gives basic support, then medical and childcare support are added by income percentage, with a parenting-expense adjustment for overnights.
- The guideline amount is a rebuttable presumption. A judge or magistrate may deviate only with findings addressing the child's and parents' needs.
- The order is entered, generally with income withholding.
- To modify: file a motion; a change of at least 20% (or certain fixed dollar amounts) from the current order generally triggers a modification, or request a review every few years.
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: Parent A earns $3,600/month; Parent B earns $2,400/month. One child. Combined PICS = $6,000/month.
Walk-through: Under Minn. Stat. § 518A.35, combined PICS of $6,000 with one child equals $988 basic support (from the statutory table). Parent A (60%) share = $593; Parent B (40%) share = $395. Childcare and medical support are added and divided by the same percentages. A parenting-time overnight adjustment can reduce the obligation.
Takeaway: Minnesota uses gross-based PICS and a statutory table; each parent pays their income percentage of the combined obligation, with a self-support reserve protecting the payor.
Scenario: A low-income obligor's guideline share plus living needs would drop them below the poverty-based reserve.
Walk-through: If the obligor's child-support share plus the self-support reserve (about 120% of the federal poverty guideline for one person, ~$1,565/month) would exceed their income, the obligation is reduced so they keep at least the reserve.
Takeaway: Minnesota will not order support that leaves the payor below a basic subsistence floor.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/518A.35 · https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/518A.26 · https://childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us/ · https://www.lawhelpmn.org/sites/default/files/2025-10/2025%20Child%20Support%20Basics%20Booklet.pdf