How Child Support Is Calculated in Alabama

Alabama uses the income shares model: both parents' adjusted gross incomes are combined, a basic obligation is read from the state schedule, child-care and health-insurance costs are added, and each parent pays a share based on their percentage of the combined income. A self-support reserve applies to low-income parents, and a shared 50% physical custody adjustment (Form CS-42-S) applies when the court orders equal physical custody. Parents use Forms CS-41 (income affidavit), CS-42 (guidelines worksheet) and CS-43 (notice of compliance).

Apply through the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) Child Support Enforcement Division by making an appointment with any county DHR office. Before the appointment, print and complete the Application for Child Support Services, the Case Information Worksheet and the Affidavit of Income, and bring them with you. Depending on income, a $5 or $25 application fee is charged (cash or money order); there is no fee if you receive Medicaid. Families receiving TANF are referred automatically. Custodial parents, legal custodians, other caretakers, alleged fathers and noncustodial parents may apply.

The age of majority in Alabama is 19, and court-ordered child support generally stays in effect until the child reaches the age of majority, even if a third-party benefit such as Social Security for the child stops at 18. When all children in an order have turned 19, no current support is due and all arrears are paid, the paying parent can file an affidavit with the court clerk to end income withholding; that affidavit cannot be used when the parent claims a child was emancipated by marriage or joining the military.

A parent asking to change child support must prove a material change in circumstances that is substantial and continuing since the last order. Courts presume support should be changed when the existing order and the guideline amount differ by more than 10%, but a judge may change an order with a smaller difference, or refuse a change despite a 10% difference, in some cases. A change applies only to payments due after the petition is filed. Either parent can also ask DHR in writing for a review, stating why; DHR reviews an order only once every 36 months unless there is a significant change, and if a change is warranted it prepares the papers and takes the case to court.

Alabama DHR lists these tools: income withholding from wages, unemployment, workers' compensation and retirement (all orders must include withholding); federal and state tax refund intercept; reporting to credit bureaus (arrears of $1,000 or more); liens on real or personal property and on financial accounts found through the Financial Institution Data Match; suspension or revocation of personal and professional licenses; passport denial; garnishment; civil contempt, which can lead to jail; arrest for failing to appear at a hearing; and federal prosecution and criminal nonsupport. Unpaid support judgments earn interest: 7.5% a year for judgments entered on or after September 1, 2011 (12% for 1981–2011 judgments and 6% for earlier ones).

The Child Support Enforcement Division of the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) runs the state's IV-D child support program. It locates parents, establishes paternity and support orders (including medical and retroactive support), reviews and adjusts orders, enforces child, spousal and medical support, and collects and distributes payments. To apply, make an appointment with a county DHR office and bring the completed Application for Child Support Services, Case Information Worksheet and Affidavit of Income; a $5 or $25 application fee applies depending on income (waived for Medicaid recipients), and families receiving TANF are referred automatically. Payments can be made through ExpertPay or MoneyGram.

Alabama does not offer an online calculator; child support is figured with the Rule 32 guidelines worksheet published by the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts. Use Form CS-42 (Child Support Guidelines, effective May 1, 2022) for standard cases or Form CS-42-S (effective June 1, 2023) for shared custody, each available as a PDF or Excel worksheet, along with Form CS-41 (income statement/affidavit) and Form CS-43 (notice of compliance). The court sets the final support amount.