Arizona does not set a fixed dollar amount for one child — the court calculates it using your income, the other parent's income, and custody time

Arizona child support is not a flat fee. The state uses a formula called the income shares model, which means the judge takes both parents' gross monthly income, subtracts certain costs (like health insurance and daycare), and divides the remaining amount based on how much time each parent spends with the child. A parent with one child who earns $3,000 a month and has the child 40 percent of the time will pay a different amount than a parent earning $5,000 a month with the same custody split.

The calculation starts with a combined parental income. Arizona law defines this as gross income from employment, self-employment, rental property, Social Security, military pay, and other sources. Once the court knows both parents' combined income, it looks up a table in the Arizona Revised Statutes to find the base support obligation. That table shows what two parents earning a combined $X per month should contribute to child support. The court then divides that obligation between the parents based on their individual income percentages and custody time.

Because the formula depends on income and custody, the same number of children (one, in your case) can result in very different monthly payments across different families. A parent earning $2,500 a month with 50/50 custody might pay $300 to $400 monthly, while a parent earning $6,000 a month with the child 30 percent of the time might pay $800 to $1,000. The only way to know your specific amount is to run the numbers with both parents' actual income and custody arrangement.

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona calculates child support using both parents' gross income, custody time, and a state formula table — not a fixed amount per child.
  • The court subtracts certain costs like health insurance and daycare from gross income before calculating the obligation.
  • A parent's payment depends on their share of combined income and how many days per year they have the child.
  • Child support orders can be modified if either parent's income changes by 10 percent or more, or if custody time changes significantly.
  • The Arizona Department of Child Support Services can calculate an estimate if you provide both parents' income and custody information.

How the Arizona income shares formula works

The formula has three main steps. First, the court adds both parents' gross monthly income. Gross income includes wages, salary, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, Social Security, military basic allowance for housing, unemployment benefits, and workers' compensation. It does not include child support or spousal maintenance the parent receives from someone else, or means-tested benefits like TANF or food stamps.

Second, the court subtracts certain costs from that combined income: health insurance premiums for the child, unreimbursed medical expenses, childcare costs, and court-ordered support for other children. The remaining amount is called adjusted combined parental income.

Third, the court looks up that adjusted income amount in the Arizona child support guidelines table. For one child, the table shows a base monthly obligation. The court then divides that obligation between the parents based on each parent's percentage of the combined income. If one parent earns 60 percent of the combined income and the other earns 40 percent, the first parent pays 60 percent of the base obligation.

Custody time (called parenting time in Arizona) also affects the calculation. If one parent has the child more than 146 days per year (roughly 40 percent of the time), the other parent's payment may be reduced because that parent is already bearing some costs directly. The exact adjustment depends on the specific parenting time split.

What income counts and what does not

Arizona courts include most forms of income in the child support calculation. Wages and salary are straightforward. Self-employment income is gross income minus ordinary business expenses — the court may require tax returns to verify this. Rental income, interest, dividends, and capital gains all count. Military basic allowance for housing counts as income even though it is not taxable.

Social Security retirement or disability benefits count as income. Unemployment benefits count. Workers' compensation counts. However, child support or spousal maintenance a parent receives from a previous relationship does not count — that money is already allocated to other children or a former spouse. Means-tested benefits like TANF, food stamps, or SSI do not count because they are based on need, not income.

If a parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income — meaning it assigns an income level based on the parent's work history, education, or earning capacity. A parent who quit a job to avoid child support, or who is capable of earning more than they currently do, may be ordered to pay based on a higher imputed income. The court must find that imputation is appropriate and must state its reasons in writing.

Custody time and how it changes the payment

Arizona recognizes that when a parent spends significant time with a child, that parent is already paying for food, housing, utilities, and other costs during those days. The child support formula accounts for this by reducing the other parent's obligation if the first parent has the child more than 146 days per year.

If one parent has the child exactly 50 percent of the time (roughly 183 days per year), the payment obligation is typically split more evenly or adjusted downward for the higher-earning parent. If one parent has the child 70 percent of the time and the other 30 percent, the parent with 30 percent pays a larger share because the other parent is bearing most of the day-to-day costs.

Parenting time is measured in overnights or days per year, and the court order must specify it clearly. If the order says "every other weekend plus one weeknight," the court calculates the total number of days that amounts to annually. Changes in parenting time — such as a child starting school in a different district, or a parent relocating — can trigger a modification of child support.

When and how child support orders change

An Arizona child support order can be modified if there is a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. The most common trigger is a change in either parent's income of 10 percent or more. If a parent gets a raise, loses a job, or starts a new business, that is grounds to ask the court to recalculate.

A significant change in parenting time also justifies modification. If a child moves to live primarily with the other parent, or if a parent's work schedule changes so they have the child more days per year, the support obligation should be recalculated. A parent can request modification through the Arizona Department of Child Support Services or by filing a petition in family court.

The parent requesting the change must file paperwork showing the new income or custody situation. The other parent has a chance to respond. If both parents agree on the new amount, the court can approve it quickly. If they disagree, a judge will recalculate using the current income and parenting time. Modifications are usually effective from the date the petition is filed, not retroactively.

How to get an estimate or official calculation

The Arizona Department of Child Support Services maintains the official child support guidelines and can provide an estimate. You can contact them by phone at 1-800-882-4151 or visit their website. They will need both parents' gross monthly income, information about health insurance and childcare costs, and the number of days per year each parent has the child.

If you are in a court case, the judge's order will include the calculated amount. If you are trying to figure out what to expect before going to court, you can use the state's online calculator or work with a family law attorney who can run the numbers. Some legal aid organizations in Arizona also offer free or low-cost consultations to help parents understand the formula.

Keep in mind that the estimate is only as accurate as the income information you provide. If either parent's income changes, the estimate changes. If you are self-employed or have irregular income, the calculation may be more complex, and you may want to consult an attorney or accountant to determine what counts as gross income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Arizona have a maximum child support amount?

Arizona law does not set a hard cap on child support, but the guidelines table stops at a certain combined income level (which varies by year and number of children). Above that level, the judge has discretion to order support based on the factors in the law, including the parents' standard of living and the child's needs. For one child, this rarely comes into play unless both parents earn very high incomes.

What if one parent does not report their income?

If a parent refuses to disclose income or provide tax returns, the court can order them to do so. If they still refuse, the judge may impute income based on the parent's work history, education, or earning capacity. The court can also hold the parent in contempt. The other parent can request a hearing and ask the judge to find that the non-disclosing parent is hiding income.

Can child support be waived or reduced if the parents agree?

Parents can agree to a child support amount different from what the guidelines calculate, but the court must approve it. The judge will review the agreement to make sure it is not unfair to the child. If one parent is trying to avoid support and the other agrees to waive it, the court may reject the agreement. Any agreed amount must be in writing and approved by the judge.

Does Arizona count overtime or bonuses as income?

Yes, if the overtime or bonus is regular and recurring. A parent who consistently works overtime or receives annual bonuses must include that income in the calculation. However, if the overtime is occasional or the bonus is one-time, the court may average it over time or exclude it. The parent requesting the calculation should provide recent pay stubs and tax returns to show what is typical.

What happens if the paying parent moves out of Arizona?

Arizona child support orders remain enforceable even if a parent moves. The Arizona Department of Child Support Services can work with other states to enforce collection. If the paying parent moves to another state, that state's courts can enforce the Arizona order, or Arizona can file in the other state. The amount does not automatically change just because someone moved — modification requires a court order.