Mississippi Child Support Calculator (2026)
In Mississippi, child support is mainly a percentage of the paying parent's income, based on how many children are involved. Use the free calculator below for an instant estimate.
Source: Miss. Code § 43-19-101
Calculate Your Mississippi Child Support
Free estimate — official Mississippi guidelines
Your income after taxes and required deductions
How Much Is Child Support in Mississippi?
If you make $60,000 a year in Mississippi, child support for 1 child is estimated at $700 per month ($8,400 per year). Based on the guideline percentage applied to your income.
$1,000/week ($52,000/year): approximately $607/month for 1 child.
Mississippi Child Support Estimates by Income (2026)
| Annual Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000/yr | $467/mo | $667/mo | $733/mo |
| $50,000/yr | $583/mo | $833/mo | $917/mo |
| $60,000/yr | $700/mo | $1,000/mo | $1,100/mo |
| $70,000/yr | $817/mo | $1,167/mo | $1,283/mo |
| $80,000/yr | $933/mo | $1,333/mo | $1,467/mo |
| $100,000/yr | $1,167/mo | $1,667/mo | $1,833/mo |
| $120,000/yr | $1,400/mo | $2,000/mo | $2,200/mo |
Based on guideline percentages applied to gross income. Compare all states →
How Child Support Is Calculated in Mississippi
Factors That Affect Child Support in Mississippi
Non-custodial parent's adjusted gross monthly income
Number of children before the court
Health insurance costs for the children
Child care expenses
Age and special needs of the child
Other support obligations of the non-custodial parent
Seasonal variations in income
Technical details and legal basis
Mississippi uses the Percentage of Income model (Miss. Code § 43-19-101) to calculate child support. This means child support is based on a set percentage of the non-custodial parent's net income, with the percentage increasing for more children.
Important Notes for Mississippi
- Mississippi uses the Percentage of Income model, basing child support on the non-custodial parent's adjusted gross income.
- Adjusted gross income is calculated by deducting federal and state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and mandatory retirement contributions from gross income.
- The court may deviate from guidelines when the child has special needs, extraordinary medical expenses, or when the obligor has other dependents.
- Mississippi does not impose a statutory income cap, but courts have discretion for high-income cases.
Example Calculation
Scenario: Non-custodial parent earns $5,000/month net income, 2 children.
Step 1: Determine net monthly income: $5,000
Step 2: Apply the guideline percentage for 2 children: 20%
Step 3: Calculate: $5,000 × 20% = $1,000/month
Key Facts: Child Support in Mississippi
- Mississippi uses the Percentage of Income model to calculate child support, basing the obligation on the non-custodial parent's adjusted gross income.
- The guideline percentages are: 14% for 1 child, 20% for 2 children, 22% for 3 children, 24% for 4 children, and 26% for 5 or more children.
- Mississippi does not impose a statutory income cap on child support calculations, unlike some other percentage-of-income states.
- Adjusted gross income includes wages, salary, and other income minus federal/state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare deductions.
- Courts may deviate from guidelines based on factors like the child's special needs, shared custody, or the obligor's other support obligations.
Mississippi Child Support FAQ
How is child support calculated in Mississippi?
Mississippi uses the Percentage of Income model. Child support is calculated as a percentage of the non-custodial parent's adjusted gross income: 14% for 1 child, 20% for 2 children, 22% for 3 children, 24% for 4 children, and 26% for 5 or more children. Adjusted gross income is gross income minus taxes and mandatory deductions.
What percentage of income is child support in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, child support percentages are: 14% for 1 child, 20% for 2 children, 22% for 3 children, 24% for 4 children, and 26% for 5 or more children. These percentages apply to the non-custodial parent's adjusted gross income (net of taxes and mandatory deductions).
What is adjusted gross income for Mississippi child support?
Adjusted gross income in Mississippi is gross income minus federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, and mandatory retirement contributions. It does not include deductions for voluntary retirement contributions or other discretionary withholdings.
Does Mississippi have a maximum child support amount?
Mississippi does not have a statutory cap on income for child support calculations. However, for very high-income obligors, the court has discretion to determine whether applying the guideline percentages to all income would result in an amount that exceeds the reasonable needs of the children.
How long does child support last in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, child support generally continues until the child turns 21 or is otherwise emancipated. Emancipation can occur through marriage, entry into military service, or a court order. Support may also continue for a child with a disability who is unable to support themselves.
Is this Mississippi child support calculator updated for 2026?
Yes. This calculator uses the child support percentages set out in Miss. Code § 43-19-101 (2024 guidelines), which Mississippi courts still apply in 2026. We last verified every percentage against the official Mississippi Department of Human Services source on May 30, 2026.
Does this Mississippi calculator include alimony or spousal support?
No. This calculator estimates child support only. Mississippi courts decide alimony (spousal support) separately, using different factors than the child support guidelines.
What factors determine child support in Mississippi?
Mississippi bases child support mainly on the non-custodial parent's adjusted gross monthly income and the number of children before the court. Courts also weigh health insurance costs for the children, child care expenses, the age and special needs of the child, other support obligations of the non-custodial parent, and seasonal variations in income.
Is there a minimum income for child support in Mississippi?
Mississippi's guidelines set a low-income threshold of $1,050 per month. This threshold affects how the standard percentage guidelines are applied for parents with income at or below that level.
Does shared custody affect child support in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi's guidelines include a shared custody adjustment that can change the standard percentage-based calculation when parents share physical custody of the children. The court applies this adjustment based on the specific custody arrangement in each case.
About This Calculator
Uses the official Miss. Code § 43-19-101 (2024 guidelines). Last verified: 2026-05-30.
Disclaimer: Estimates only, not legal advice. Actual amounts are set by Mississippi courts. Full disclaimer.
Methodology: Percentage of Income model per Miss. Code § 43-19-101.