Child Support Changes in Massachusetts

Child support in Massachusetts is calculated using a formula.  On August 1, 2013,  new Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines became effective, changing that formula for the first time since 2009.  Many child support obligations will be reduced by applying this new formula.  There are some other significant changes to how child support is calculated in Massachusetts as outlined in the Press Release from the Supreme Judicial Court, and here:

1. Child support is now calculated in four different ways, depending on how much time a parent spends with his or her children and how expenditures are split: less than one-third, one-third, more than one-third but less than 50%, and equally or approximately equally.
2. Income from means tested benefits (for example, SSI, TAFDC, and SNAP food stamps) are excluded from calculating available income.
3. In cases where income is to be attributed, the availability of employment at the attributed income level must be considered.
4. The new Guidelines clarify that income from second jobs or overtime may be considered by the court, regardless of the history of earning this income.
5. The new Guidelines clarify how to allocate income between parents when the combined available income is greater than $250,000.
6. Clarification as to child support or college contribution for children over age 18, and the consideration of any order for college contribution in any weekly child support order.
7. Additional reasons for deviating from the Guidelines, including extraordinary health insurance expenses, child care costs that are disproportionate to the paying parent’s income, and when one parent is providing less than one-third of the parenting time.
8. The standard for modifying an existing child support obligation is consistent with a recent decision by the Supreme Judicial Court (Morales v. Morales, 464 Mass. 507 (2013)).
9. Recognition that the parties might benefit from calculating alimony before child support, or child support before alimony, to take advantage of differences in their tax brackets.

For those who have downloaded our MA Child Support Calculator app for your Android phone or tablet, we have updated the app to reflect these changes.