What is the Average Child Support in Connecticut?
Updated November 27, 2023
Many people ask what is the average child support amount is in Connecticut. During a divorce, parents’ primary concerns are often custody and child support.
Read on to learn more.
Connecticut Average Child Support
According to Forbes, the 2018 average yearly child support in Connecticut was $38,371.70.
However, that doesn’t really tell you what you may really be wondering — what your own child support might look like.
Child Support Guidelines
The Connecticut Child Support Guidelines are state regulations that provide a mathematical formula to set the child support payment amount. The Guidelines use the combined income of the two parents and the number of children to set a support amount.
Child Support Calculation Example
First, the calculator court looks at the parents’ combined net weekly income. Combined net weekly income is the total amount both parents take home in their pay each week. In other words, if each parent takes home $1000 per week, then their combined net weekly income is $2,000.
Next, the court uses the guidelines to figure out the basic child support obligation.
For instance, the basic child support obligation for parents earning $2,000 per week is:
- $319 for 1 child
- $475 for 2 children
- $575 for 3 children
Moreover, the percentage of parents’ income that goes to support does not remain consistent as income changes. For example, the basic child support obligation for parents with one child earning $2,000 per week is $319, or about 16% of the parents’ combined income. But the basic child support obligation for parents with one child earning a combined $3,000 a week is $415, or about 14% of the parents’ combined income.
High Net Worth Divorce
Connecticut Child Support Guidelines only address situations where the family’s combined net weekly income falls between $0 – $4,000. Child support is determined on a case-by-case basis for high net worth families where the parents’ combined exceeds $4,000.
Child Support Deviations
For some families, it’s more appropriate to “deviate” from the calculation under the Connecticut Child Support Guidelines. Possible deviation criteria include:
The following are examples of permissible deviation criteria:
- certain other financial resources available to a parent
- extraordinary expenses for the care and maintenance of the child
- extraordinary parental expenses
- needs of a parent’s other dependents
- coordination of total family support.
Child support deviations are nuanced and Freed Marcroft’s family law attorneys are well-versed in the complexities.
Next Steps
For more information about Connecticut divorce and family law, check out our Divorce Information and Facts. If you have questions or want to learn more about how our team of divorce attorneys can help you with your divorce or Post Judgment issue, please contact us here.
