Child Support

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