Minnesota Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator

Minnesota calculates child support using the Income Shares Model under Minn. Stat. 518A.35, combining both parents' gross incomes to set a baseline obligation that courts divide in proportion to each parent's share of that total. Use the Minnesota child support calculator below to estimate a guideline amount, or open the full-page Minnesota child support calculator for a detailed breakdown. Every order separately addresses basic support, medical support, and childcare support, with a parenting expense adjustment applied based on court-ordered parenting time.

How Child Support Works in Minnesota

Minnesota law requires both parents to contribute financially to raising their children, even after separation or divorce. The state's child support program is governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 518A, which establishes guidelines for calculating, modifying, and enforcing support obligations.

As of July 1, 2024, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) oversees child support services statewide. DCYF assumed this responsibility from the Department of Human Services (DHS) as part of a broader state agency restructuring. County agencies continue to administer cases, provide services, and work directly with parents on a local level.

Child support in Minnesota is divided into three separate components, each addressed individually in a court order:

• Basic support covers everyday expenses like housing, food, clothing, and transportation for the child
• Medical support covers health and dental insurance premiums and unreimbursed medical expenses
• Childcare support covers work-related or education-related daycare and childcare costs

How Child Support Is Calculated in Minnesota

Minnesota uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support under Minnesota Statutes section 518A.35. This model considers the combined gross income of both parents and assigns each parent a proportionate share of the total support obligation.

The idea behind the Income Shares Model is straightforward: children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if both parents lived together. Both parents' incomes are combined, and each parent's share of the obligation is based on their percentage of that combined total.

Minnesota adopted the Income Shares Model in 2007, replacing the prior percentage-of-obligor-income framework. The Chapter 518A guidelines have been updated several times since then, with significant amendments effective in 2021, 2024, and 2025.

What Counts as Gross Income

Under Minnesota Statutes section 518A.29, gross income includes nearly all forms of periodic payment, such as:

• Salaries, wages, and commissions
• Self-employment income
• Workers' compensation and unemployment benefits
• Pension, annuity, and retirement payments
• Social Security and veterans benefits provided for a joint child
• Spousal maintenance received under a previous or current order
• Potential income (imputed income if a parent is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed)

Gross income does not include child support received from another case, adoption assistance payments, foster care subsidies, public assistance benefits based on need, or the income of a new spouse.

Basic Calculation Steps

The court follows a specific process under section 518A.34 to determine each parent's obligation:

1. Calculate each parent's gross monthly income from all sources
2. Subtract any credits for nonjoint children (children from other relationships) to arrive at the Parental Income for Child Support (PICS)
3. Combine both parents' PICS to get the total combined monthly PICS
4. Determine each parent's percentage share of the combined PICS
5. Look up the basic support obligation in the statutory guideline table based on the combined PICS and number of children
6. Multiply the guideline amount by each parent's percentage share
7. Apply the parenting expense adjustment based on each parent's court-ordered parenting time

The state provides an official online child support calculator (Version 5.3, released August 17, 2026) to estimate support amounts. The tool is still hosted and branded under the Department of Human Services even though child support services moved to DCYF. This calculator is helpful for planning but provides estimates only.

To use the calculator, you will need:

• Each parent's gross monthly income from all sources
• Information about existing child support orders
• The number of joint children and any nonjoint children
• Spousal maintenance order amounts
• Cost of medical and dental insurance for the children
• Parenting time percentage from the court order
• Work-related or education-related childcare costs
• Social Security or veterans benefits paid to the child on behalf of a parent

Minnesota Basic Support Guideline Table

Under section 518A.35, the basic support obligation depends on the parents' combined monthly PICS and the number of children. Here are selected amounts from the guideline:

For combined incomes exceeding $20,000 per month, the presumed basic obligation matches the $20,000 level. The court may order a higher amount if the child has demonstrated needs that exceed the guideline, such as a disability, special education requirements, or other substantial needs under section 518A.43.

Parenting Expense Adjustment

The parenting expense adjustment (PEA) under section 518A.36 recognizes that a parent with significant parenting time incurs real costs for housing, food, transportation, and daily child-related expenses during that time. The PEA reduces the basic support obligation for the obligor based on how much parenting time they have, calculated on a continuous overnight-based formula rather than stepped brackets.

Under the current formula, the number of annual overnights each parent has with the child is raised to the third power (cubed), which weights the adjustment more heavily toward the parent with more parenting time. This produces a smooth, continuous adjustment as parenting time increases, rather than the sharp "cliffs" that stepped percentage-based brackets produced under older versions of Minnesota's guidelines.

If both parents have equal parenting time (50/50) and equal incomes, the court generally will not order basic support unless one parent carries a disproportionate share of expenses like insurance or childcare.

Self-Support Reserve

Under section 518A.42, there is a rebuttable presumption that a support order should not exceed the obligor's ability to pay. The statute protects a portion of a low-income obligor's earnings, but it works as a ceiling on the finished calculation rather than as a deduction fed into the guideline.

The court first subtracts a monthly self-support reserve equal to 120% of the federal poverty guideline for one person from the obligor's PICS. The result is the obligor's "income available for support." The guideline obligation itself is still calculated on full PICS under section 518A.34; the reserve figure is then compared against it:

• If income available for support is equal to or greater than the section 518A.34 obligation, the court orders the full guideline amount.
• If income available for support is less than the guideline amount but more than the statutory minimum, the court reduces the order in a set sequence until it equals income available for support: first the medical support obligation, then the childcare support obligation, then basic support.

Where the minimum applies, basic support ranges from $50 per month for one child to $100 per month for six or more children, and the obligor is presumed unable to pay childcare and medical support. The minimum does not apply to an incarcerated obligor, a recipient of general assistance, SSI, TANF, or comparable MFIP benefits, or an obligor with no income who completely lacks the ability to earn income.

Medical Support and Childcare Support

Beyond basic support, Minnesota courts must separately address medical support and childcare support in every order.

Medical Support

Under section 518A.41, the court orders both parents to share the cost of health and dental insurance premiums and all unreimbursed medical expenses. These costs are divided based on each parent's proportionate share of the combined monthly PICS, just like basic support.

Medical support is considered child support for enforcement purposes but is not subject to cost-of-living adjustments.

Childcare Support

Under section 518A.40, childcare support covers work-related or education-related childcare expenses. The amount is based on actual childcare costs and is divided between the parents in proportion to their PICS. Childcare support obligations typically end when the child enters school full-time or no longer needs daycare.

How to Apply for Child Support in Minnesota

The Minnesota DCYF Child Support Division oversees the statewide child support system. To apply:

• Download and complete the application forms
• Contact DCYF or call 800-657-3890
• Visit your county's Human or Social Services Department in person

Key points to keep in mind:

• If the parents are not married, paternity must be established before the court can order support. Minnesota allows paternity to be established through a Recognition of Parentage form signed by both parents, genetic testing, or a court order.
• A $25 application fee applies, though it may be waived for low-income applicants.
• District judges, district court referees, and child support magistrates all have authority to set support amounts.

How to Modify Child Support in Minnesota

Minnesota provides two main paths for adjusting an existing child support order: the biennial cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and a formal modification.

Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)

Under section 518A.75, most child support orders include a provision for automatic biennial (every two years) cost-of-living adjustments. The adjustment is based on a cost-of-living index, typically the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) for the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

For cases receiving full child support enforcement services, the child support office notifies both parents and automatically applies the adjustment on May 1 of the applicable year.

Pending legislative change: A 2025 bill (HF 2456) passed the first engrossment stage in the Minnesota Legislature and would end COLA adjustments for child support and maintenance orders after January 1, 2027, if enacted. As of 2026, biennial COLA adjustments remain in effect. Parents should confirm the current status of this legislation with their county child support office or an attorney.

Formal Modification

Either parent may petition for a modification based on a "substantial change in circumstances" under section 518A.39. The law creates a rebuttable presumption that modification is warranted when:

• The current guideline calculation differs from the existing order by at least 20% and at least $75 per month (or 20% if the current order is less than $75)
• A parent's gross income has decreased by at least 20% through no fault or choice of their own
• There is a substantial increase or decrease in a parent's earnings or income
• There is a significant change in the cost or availability of health care coverage
• Work-related or education-related childcare expenses have changed substantially
• A child has been emancipated
• The medical provisions in the existing order are no longer enforceable

To request a modification, use the ezDocs system or call 651-531-5655. Filing fees may be waived for those who cannot afford them.

Enforcement and Penalties for Non-Payment

The Child Support Division within DCYF enforces child support orders throughout Minnesota. County agencies handle day-to-day enforcement, with the state providing oversight, technology systems, and disbursement services.

Administrative Enforcement Tools

Minnesota uses a wide range of enforcement methods to collect unpaid support:

• Automatic income withholding: Every child support order includes an income withholding provision. Employers must withhold support from the obligor's wages and report all new hires to the state.
• Bank account garnishment: The Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM) program allows the state to identify and levy bank accounts held by parents who owe past-due support.
• Federal and state tax refund intercepts: Overdue support can be collected by intercepting federal and state income tax refunds.
• Credit bureau reporting: Arrears are reported to the major credit bureaus, which can affect the obligor's credit score, ability to obtain loans, and employment prospects.
• License sanctions: The state can suspend or restrict driver's licenses, recreational licenses, and occupational or professional licenses for parents with overdue support.
• Passport denial: Under federal law, if arrears exceed $2,500, the U.S. State Department will deny, restrict, or revoke the obligor's passport.
• Property liens: Unpaid support becomes a judgment by operation of law on the date it is due and can be enforced as a lien against real property and motor vehicle titles.
• Student financial aid holds: Financial aid disbursements may be withheld.
• Interest on arrears: Interest may be charged on unpaid support balances.

Payment Agreements

An obligor who cannot pay the full amount may enter a written payment agreement with the child support agency. The court or child support magistrate must consider the obligor's financial circumstances and approve a reasonable payment plan. Compliance with the agreement may suspend active enforcement actions. If license sanctions or a bank levy are already underway, ask a Minnesota family lawyer for a free case evaluation on a payment plan the court or magistrate can approve (attorney advertising).

Criminal Penalties

Under Minnesota Statutes section 609.375, willful failure to pay court-ordered child support is a crime:

• Gross misdemeanor: Punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine of up to $3,000
• Felony: Punishable by up to 2 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000 for more serious or repeated violations

Statute of Limitations on Arrears

There is no statute of limitations on collecting child support arrears in Minnesota. Unpaid support remains enforceable indefinitely. However, the statute of limitations on enforcing a money judgment is 10 years, so periodic renewal of the judgment may be necessary for long-outstanding arrears.

Interstate Enforcement

Minnesota participates in the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) and the federal Title IV-D program administered by the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS). These frameworks allow Minnesota to enforce orders across state lines and coordinate with other states when a parent lives outside Minnesota.

When Does Child Support End in Minnesota?

Under section 518A.26, child support in Minnesota ends when the child reaches age 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later, and no later than age 20 unless the child is incapable of self-support because of a physical or mental condition.

Specifically, a "child" for support purposes is defined as:

• A person under 18 years of age
• A person under age 20 who is still attending secondary school (high school)
• A person of any age who is incapable of self-support due to a physical or mental condition

This means if a child turns 18 during their senior year of high school, support continues until graduation. Where the obligation rests only on age or school enrollment, it does not extend past the child's 20th birthday regardless of continued enrollment. The third category is different: it carries no age limit at all.

Support may continue indefinitely if the child has a physical or mental disability that prevents self-sufficiency. The court determines this on a case-by-case basis.

Support does not automatically terminate just because a child moves out of the custodial parent's home, as long as the child has not otherwise emancipated.

Emancipation in Minnesota

Minnesota does not have a specific statutory procedure for the emancipation of minors. Courts determine emancipation on a case-by-case basis, considering:

• The best interests of the child
• The minor's living situation and ability to support themselves
• Whether the parents have given express or implied consent to emancipation

Events that may support a finding of emancipation include lawful marriage, active military service, express parental consent, or a court order.

Termination of Parental Rights

A parent may voluntarily terminate parental rights to allow adoption by a stepparent or other adoptive parent. The court must determine that termination serves the child's best interests. Involuntary termination may occur when a parent has abandoned the child, failed to provide required support, engaged in egregious harm, or is otherwise unfit. Termination of parental rights ends the support obligation going forward, but does not erase arrears already owed.

2025 Legislative Changes at a Glance

Several important changes to Minnesota child support law took effect in 2025 or are pending for 2027:

• Social Security and veterans benefits: Effective January 1, 2025, any regular or lump-sum payment of Social Security or apportioned veterans benefits received by the obligee for the benefit of a joint child based on the obligor's disability may be credited against arrears upon a motion to modify.
• Self-support reserve: The self-support reserve under section 518A.42 equals 120% of the federal poverty guideline for one person. Subtracting it from PICS yields the obligor's income available for support, which caps the obligation calculated under section 518A.34 rather than reducing the income the guideline is run on.
• COLA legislation pending: A 2025 bill (HF 2456) would eliminate biennial cost-of-living adjustments for child support and spousal maintenance orders after January 1, 2027. This legislation had not been enacted as of early 2026. Parents should confirm the current status with their county child support office.
• Calculator version: The official Minnesota Child Support Calculator is on Version 5.3, released August 17, 2026.

More Minnesota Laws

• Minnesota Alimony Laws
• Minnesota Child Custody Laws
• Minnesota Divorce Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

How is child support calculated in Minnesota?

Minnesota uses the Income Shares Model under Minnesota Statutes section 518A.35. Both parents' gross incomes are combined to determine the Parental Income for Child Support (PICS). The court looks up the basic support obligation in the statutory guideline table based on the combined PICS and number of children, then divides the obligation based on each parent's proportionate share of income. A parenting expense adjustment is applied based on court-ordered parenting time. The state provides an online calculator at childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us to estimate amounts.

When does child support end in Minnesota?

Child support ends when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later, and no later than age 20 where the obligation rests on age or school enrollment. If a child turns 18 during their senior year, support continues through graduation. Section 518A.26 defines a third category of child with no age limit at all: an individual who, by reason of physical or mental condition, is incapable of self-support, so support may continue indefinitely in that situation. Support does not automatically end just because the child moves out of the custodial parent's home.

What changed in Minnesota child support law in 2025?

Several changes took effect in 2025. The self-support reserve under section 518A.42 remains at 120% of the federal poverty guideline for one person. Subtracting it from PICS produces the obligor's income available for support, which caps the obligation calculated under section 518A.34 rather than reducing the income the guideline runs on. Social Security and veterans disability benefits received for a joint child can now be credited against arrears upon a modification motion. A separate bill (HF 2456) would phase out biennial COLA adjustments after January 1, 2027; its enactment status should be confirmed with your county child support office.

How can I modify a child support order in Minnesota?

You can petition for modification under Minnesota Statutes section 518A.39 based on a substantial change in circumstances. The law presumes modification is warranted when the current guideline calculation differs from the existing order by at least 20% and $75 per month, or when a parent's income has decreased by 20% or more through no fault of their own. Other grounds include changes in healthcare costs, childcare expenses, or a child's emancipation. Contact the ezDocs system or call 651-531-5655 to start the process.

What happens if you don't pay child support in Minnesota?

Minnesota enforces child support orders through automatic income withholding, bank account garnishment, tax refund intercepts, credit bureau reporting, license suspensions, passport denial, and property liens. Criminal penalties apply for willful non-payment: a gross misdemeanor charge carries up to 1 year in jail and a $3,000 fine, while a felony charge carries up to 2 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. There is no statute of limitations on collecting child support arrears in Minnesota.