The South Dakota child support calculator is an official online tool provided by the Division of Child Support that helps parents estimate their child support payment based on the South Dakota child support guideline laws. This child support obligation calculator provides the basic support obligation for combined monthly net income up to $30,000, giving parents a general idea of what their child support payment may be before going to court.
The South Dakota child support calculator is designed to give you a general idea of what your child support payment may be. This calculator is for informational purposes only, and the Division of Child Support or the court assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the amount of child support you determine based upon your use of this calculator.
Important Calculator Disclaimer
The child support amount you determine may not be the same amount the Division of Child Support calculates, or the court may approve. The calculator provides an estimate and is not a guarantee of the amount of child support ordered by the court. Many factors affect the amount of child support, and each situation is different.
How the Calculator Works
The child support obligation calculator is based on the South Dakota Child Support Guideline laws and is intended to provide the basic support obligation for child support in South Dakota for combined monthly net income up to $30,000.
Income Limits and Adjustments
For a combined net income above the $30,000 schedule amount, the child support obligation shall be established at an appropriate level, taking into account the needs and standard of living of the child. Courts have discretion to set appropriate support amounts for higher-income families that maintain children's accustomed lifestyle.
What the Calculator Includes and Excludes
Deviations and adjustments for child care, visitation, or other factors the court may allow are not included in the calculation of the basic support obligation. The calculator assumes all children will primarily live with one parent, making it the custodial parent's primary residence.
Calculator Limitations
The South Dakota child support calculator is not intended to apply to certain custody situations that require different calculations.
Joint Physical Care Situations
The calculator is not designed for situations where there is joint physical care, meaning the children spend half their time with each parent. When children reside no less than 180 nights per calendar year in each parent's home, courts may use the Shared Parenting Child Support Obligation Worksheet instead.
Split Custody Arrangements
The calculator also doesn't apply to split custody situations where each parent has custody of one or more of the children. In split custody arrangements, each parent's support obligation for the children in the other parent's physical custody is calculated separately, and then the obligations are compared to determine the monthly child support payment.
For example, if Parent A's child support obligation is calculated to be $400 per month and Parent B's child support obligation is calculated to be $600 per month, Parent B would be the parent paying support for $200 per month ($600 - $400 = $200).
Information Needed to Use the Calculator
To use the South Dakota child support calculator effectively, you'll need specific information about both parents' financial situations.
Monthly Income Figures
All amounts entered must be monthly figures. The calculator requires monthly net income for both parents, which is gross income minus allowable deductions including income taxes (based on single taxpayer status), Social Security and Medicare taxes, contributions to qualified retirement plans (up to 10% of gross income), actual unreimbursed expenses for the employer's benefit, and payments under other existing support orders.
Number of Children
You'll need to select the number of children for this obligation calculation. The basic support obligation increases with each additional child, reflecting the greater financial needs of larger families.
Minimum Wage Presumption
It is presumed a parent is capable of earning at least minimum wage (35 hours per week) except as provided in South Dakota law. If disabled, use the actual amount of benefits when calculating net income.
Accessing the South Dakota Child Support Calculator
The official South Dakota child support calculator is available through multiple state websites.
Division of Child Support Website
You can use the online child support obligation calculator at dss.sd.gov/childsupport/services/obligationcalculator.aspx. This official state calculator ensures you're using the most current guideline amounts and formulas.
Alternative State Calculator
South Dakota also provides the calculator atapps.sd.gov/ss17pc02cal/Calculator.aspx. Both calculators use the same underlying Dakota child support guideline formulas and produce identical results for standard custody situations.
Downloading Worksheets for Special Situations
For situations the online calculator cannot handle, the Division of Child Support provides downloadable worksheets.
Standard Child Support Obligation Worksheet
You can download the Child Support Obligation Worksheet for manual calculations or to submit to court. This worksheet shows the step-by-step calculation process and provides documentation of how the support amount was determined.
Shared Parenting Plan Worksheet
If a custody order contains a detailed shared parenting plan providing that children will reside no less than 180 nights per calendar year in each parent's home, and parents share duties, responsibilities, and expenses in proportion to their incomes, you may download the Shared Parenting Child Support Obligation Worksheet.
The Division of Child Support does not calculate shared parenting child support obligations; these calculations must be done by the parents or presented to the court for determination.
How Courts Use Calculator Results
While the South Dakota child support calculator provides helpful estimates, courts make final determinations based on a comprehensive review of each case.
Court Discretion
In deciding whether a shared parenting child support cross-credit is appropriate, the court considers whether it would have a substantial negative effect on the child's standard of living. Courts balance parents' financial circumstances against children's needs to ensure adequate support.
Factors Affecting Final Orders
The child support amount may be higher or lower depending on the income figures you use in the calculator and other case-specific factors. Courts consider the needs and standard of living of the child when setting support amounts, particularly for high-income families exceeding the guideline schedules.
Using Calculator Results for Planning
The South Dakota child support calculator serves as a valuable planning tool for parents navigating separation or divorce.
Budgeting and Financial Planning
Calculator results help custodial parents understand what support they might receive for budgeting purposes, while noncustodial parents can anticipate their likely support obligations and plan accordingly. This advanced knowledge helps both parents make informed financial decisions.
Negotiating Support Agreements
When parents negotiate child support outside court, calculator results provide a baseline for discussions. Parents may agree to amounts above guideline calculations, though below-guideline agreements require court approval and must serve the child's best interests.
Preparing for Court
Using the calculator before court hearings helps parents understand what courts are likely to order. This preparation enables more productive settlement discussions and helps parents set realistic expectations about support obligations.
When to Seek Professional Assistance
Despite the calculator's usefulness, some situations require professional guidance to determine accurate child support obligations.
Complex Income Situations
Parents with irregular income, self-employment income, substantial investment income, or income from multiple sources may benefit from attorney assistance to accurately calculate net income and appropriate support amounts.
Shared or Split Custody
Parents with shared physical custody (180+ nights per year with each parent) or split custody arrangements should consult attorneys or use the specialized worksheets, as the standard calculator doesn't accommodate these situations.
Deviation Requests
If you believe your circumstances warrant deviation from guideline amounts due to special needs, extraordinary expenses, or other factors, attorney assistance helps present compelling arguments to courts.
Moving Forward with the South Dakota Child Support Calculator
The South Dakota child support calculator provides an accessible, user-friendly tool for estimating child support obligations based on the South Dakota child support guideline laws. While the calculator offers valuable estimates for standard custody situations, remember it provides only the basic support obligation and doesn't account for child care adjustments, medical support, or special circumstances affecting the amount of child support ordered.