How Is Child Support Calculated in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma calculates child support by combining both parents’ adjusted gross monthly incomes, finding the base support amount for that income and number of children on the state’s Child Support Guideline Schedule, and dividing that amount between the parents based on each parent’s share of the combined income. Health insurance, childcare costs, and the number of overnights each parent has with the children are then factored in to reach the final monthly amount.
“How is child support calculated?” It’s a question we hear from parents in nearly every case involving children. The child support calculation can get complicated, but we want to give you a clear understanding of what goes into the formula that determines child support in Oklahoma.
Calculating Child Support Payments in Oklahoma
The State of Oklahoma uses a set formula to calculate child support. You can find the official Oklahoma child support calculator, along with the child support computation form and instructions, on the Oklahoma Human Services Guidelines and Computation page.
In Oklahoma, child support is governed by 43 O.S. §118 through §120, including §118A through §118I. Within those statutes, we can define the core elements of a child support calculation:
- Each parent’s gross monthly income
- Any statutory adjustments that apply to either parent’s income
- The monthly health insurance premiums paid by either parent for the minor children, or cash medical support if the children are on SoonerCare
- Any continuing monthly health care costs outside of the monthly premium
- The work-related or education-related childcare expenses of either parent
- The number of overnights the children spend with each parent (known as the parenting time adjustment, or shared parenting credit)
If the parents’ combined gross monthly income is more than $15,000, the court uses the guideline amount for $15,000 and then determines an additional amount. A variety of factors go into that decision, and we can review your situation to help you determine a fair amount.
Of these six core elements, gross income and the number of overnights are the most common sticking points. They are typically the two elements that leave room for subjective debate and litigation.
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How to Calculate Child Support in Oklahoma: The Formula, Step by Step
Oklahoma uses an income shares approach: child support is computed as a percentage of both parents’ combined income, and each parent is responsible for their proportional share. In simple terms, the formula looks like this:
Gross Income – Adjustments = Adjusted Gross Income
Base Obligation (from the schedule) × Your Income Share = Your Base Support
Base Support (adjusted for overnights) + Your Share of Health Insurance + Your Share of Child Care = Monthly Child Support
Here is how each step works.
Step 1: Find Each Parent’s Adjusted Gross Income
Start with each parent’s gross monthly income (see what counts below). Then apply any statutory adjustments, which include:
- Subtracting support alimony actually paid from a prior case
- Subtracting a deduction for other children the parent is legally responsible for and actually supporting
- Subtracting reasonable payments on preexisting debt the parents acquired jointly
- Adding any Social Security benefits paid to the child on that parent’s account
Step 2: Combine Incomes and Find Each Parent’s Percentage
Add both parents’ adjusted gross incomes together. Each parent’s percentage share is their income divided by the combined total. For example, if one parent earns $6,000 and the other earns $4,000, their shares are 60% and 40%.
Step 3: Look Up the Base Obligation on the Guideline Schedule
Using the combined income and the number of children, find the base monthly obligation on the Child Support Guideline Schedule. Multiply that amount by each parent’s percentage to find each parent’s base support.
Step 4: Apply the Parenting Time Adjustment
If the noncustodial parent has at least 121 overnights per year, a parenting time adjustment may reduce their support (43 O.S. §118E). The combined base obligation is multiplied by a factor that depends on the number of overnights, then divided between the parents and offset based on time spent with each:
|
Overnights With the Noncustodial Parent |
Adjustment Factor |
|
Fewer than 121 |
No adjustment |
|
121 to 131 |
2.0 |
|
132 to 143 |
1.75 |
|
144 or more |
1.5 |
The adjustment is presumed but not automatic. The court can decline it if it is not in the child’s best interest, and the adjustment can never increase the amount a parent would otherwise pay.
Step 5: Add Health Insurance and Child Care Costs
Finally, the children’s health insurance premiums, ongoing medical costs, and work-related or education-related child care expenses are divided between the parents by the same income percentages and added to the base support. Health insurance is generally considered reasonable in cost when the covering parent’s share of the premium is no more than 5% of that parent’s gross monthly income.
A Simple Child Support Calculation Example
Here is a simplified example using the current Oklahoma guideline schedule. It assumes one child, no income adjustments, and fewer than 121 overnights with the paying parent.
|
Step |
Parent A (Paying) |
Parent B (Custodial) |
|
Adjusted gross monthly income |
$6,000 |
$4,000 |
|
Income share |
60% |
40% |
|
Base obligation for $10,000 combined, one child |
$1,097 total |
|
|
Base support (share of $1,097) |
$658.20 |
$438.80 |
|
Share of $200 health insurance (paid by Parent B) |
$120.00 |
$80.00 |
|
Share of $500 child care (paid by Parent B) |
$300.00 |
$200.00 |
|
Monthly child support paid to Parent B |
$1,078.20 |
|
Real cases often involve adjustments, overnights, and other details that change the result. For an official calculation, use the OKDHS child support computation tools, or talk with an attorney who can review your numbers.
What Is Considered Gross Monthly Income in Child Support?
Gross monthly income, as defined by 43 O.S. §118B(A)(1), includes earned and passive income from any source, except as excluded by statute.
In short, your gross monthly income includes, but is not limited to:
- Salaries
- Wages
- Tips
- Bonuses
- Commissions
- Severance pay
- Interest income and dividends
- Pensions and annuities
- Rent
- Trust income
- Gifts
- Royalties
- Social Security, unemployment, and workers’ compensation benefits
- Fringe benefits that significantly reduce personal living expenses, such as a company car or housing
Some income is excluded, including child support received for other children and benefits from means-tested programs such as TANF, SSI, and SNAP. If a parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income based on factors such as work history, education, and local wages.
Parents often want to argue that bonuses should be left out because they are not guaranteed or can change. However, under Oklahoma law, bonuses are included as income.
Can Child Support Be Negotiated?
Once income and the number of overnights are determined, there is very little room to change the child support number. After income is determined as described above, and parenting time is set by agreement or at trial, the Oklahoma child support computation is largely a product of the required elements and state law.
The court may deviate from the guideline amount only in limited situations, such as when the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate and the change is in the child’s best interest, or when both parents are represented by counsel and agree to a different amount. The judge must make specific findings to support any deviation. Special expenses like private school tuition, camps, or extracurricular activities may also be added as a deviation.
Helping to Ensure Your Child Support Payments Are Accurate & Fair
A good attorney will make sure your gross income is correct, your overnights are calculated accurately, and any out-of-pocket expenses included in the computation are valid. The family law attorneys at Ball Morse Lowe are ready to help make sure your child support computation is what it should be. We also provide child support reviews for parents who want to verify they are receiving or paying the correct amount.
Schedule a Consultation
Have questions about your child support calculation? Contact Ball Morse Lowe today to discuss your child support case with our family law team.
