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EspañolHow is the amount of child support decided?
Child support will be established using the state’s guidelines. These guidelines consider the income of both parents.1 They are based on the concept that children should receive the same proportion of their parent’s income as they would have if they still lived together. Other factors that are also considered are each parent’s education, expenses, and assets, and the facts and circumstances of the case.2
If a judge decides to order a different amount than what the guidelines suggest, s/he should include the reasoning behind it.
Aside from the basic child support obligation, the order can include other expenses like health insurance, child care, and extraordinary medical costs.3
The Department of Social Services has an online calculator that could help you estimate how much child support may be ordered in your case.
1 Establishing or Modifying a Child Support Order, South Carolina Department of Social Services (2024)
2 Mitchell v. Mitchell, 283 S.C. 87, 320 S.E.2d 706 (1984)
3 See the South Carolina Child Support Guidelines, 2024 edition
For how long are child support payments made? Until my child reaches what age?
In South Carolina, child support payments continue until the child turns 18. However, payments can end before 18 if the child gets married or can support him/herself, whichever happens first. There are some exceptions, however:
- If the child is older than 18 but still in high school, the obligation to pay child support will continue until:
- graduation; or
- the end of the school year when the child turns 19, whichever is later;
- If there is an agreement or order to pay child support beyond age 18, payments will continue until the date decided upon; or
- If a judge believes there are physical or mental disabilities or other exceptional circumstances, the non-custodial parent can be required to continue paying support for as long as those disabilities or circumstances continue.1
Note: Even once the child turns 18 or one of the other conditions are met, the paying parent might have to petition the court for a dismissal order once s/he believes the child support obligation is over.2
1 S.C. Code § 63-3-530(A)(17)
2 Frequently Asked Questions, South Carolina Department of Social Services (2024)
