How Child Support Is Calculated in Minnesota

Minnesota uses an income shares model: basic support is taken from the statutory guideline using the parents' combined monthly parental income for determining child support (PICS) and the number of joint children, then divided between the parents by their proportionate share of combined income. The guideline is a rebuttable presumption. Combined incomes over $20,000 per month are treated as $20,000 unless a higher amount is shown to be needed. The Department of Human Services provides an online child support calculator.

Child support services (IV-D services) are provided by the public authority responsible for child support enforcement. State law sets these costs for parents who apply for full services: a cost recovery fee of 2% of the support collected (not charged to families currently receiving cash assistance under the state's TANF program, IV-E foster care or Medical Assistance, or who received cash assistance or IV-E foster care within the last 24 months); a $35 annual federal fee once at least $550 has been collected for someone who never received cash assistance; and a $25 fee for each successful federal tax refund interception for people not on public assistance.

For child support purposes, a "child" is a person under 18, a person under 20 who is still attending secondary school, or a person who cannot support themselves because of a physical or mental condition. Support can therefore continue past 18 while the child is still in high school (up to age 20), and for an adult child who is incapable of self-support.

A support order can be modified if there is a substantial change that makes the current order unreasonable and unfair, such as substantially changed income or needs, receipt of public assistance, a change in the cost of living, extraordinary medical expenses, or changes in health coverage or child care costs. A substantial change is presumed if applying the current guidelines produces an amount at least 20% and at least $75 per month higher or lower than the current order (or at least 20% if the current order is under $75), or if a party's gross income has dropped by at least 20% through no fault or choice of their own. Changes generally apply back only to the date the motion was served on the other party. The court need not hold an evidentiary hearing on a modification motion.

Support orders are enforced through income withholding. If a parent falls behind, the state can intercept state tax refunds and other state payments (revenue recapture) when arrears exceed one month of support; report arrears to credit bureaus after three months of nonpayment; and, when arrears equal three or more months of support and the parent is not following an approved payment agreement, suspend the parent's driver's license (on court order) and occupational licenses and place a lien on the parent's motor vehicle titles. Recreational (hunting and fishing) licenses can be suspended when arrears reach six months and other enforcement has failed. Courts can also require security or sequester property and hold a parent in contempt for nonpayment, and the state can publish the names of delinquent parents.

Minnesota's child support program is run by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Through Minnesota Child Support Online, parents can make payments, view general case information and financial history, read program information and FAQs, and request a new PIN; employers can pay for employees and report terminations. Child support help: 651-431-4400 or toll-free 800-657-3890 (Minnesota Relay 711).

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families publishes the Child Support Guidelines Calculator, which estimates a basic support amount for six or fewer children. The department says the estimate is "informational only" and "The court has the authority to order child support"; for questions about a specific amount, contact your county child support worker or an attorney.