Child Support Guidelines

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Child Support

Guidelines

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The South Carolina General Assembly, through Act 195 of 1989, provides that the child support guidelines must be applied by the courts in determining the amount of child support that is expected to be paid toward the support of a dependent child (Section 43-5-580(b) and 20-7-852(A), South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as Amended).

These guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model, developed by the Child Support Guidelines Project of the National Center for State Courts. Developed with the best available economic

evidence on child rearing expenditures, the Income Shares Model is based on the concept that the children should receive the same proportion of parental income that they would have received had the parents lived together. A more detailed explanation of the Income Shares Model and the underlying economic evidence used to support it is contained in Development of Guidelines for Child Support Orders, Report to the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement, September 1987 (National Center for State Courts, Denver, Colorado).

The Income Shares Model calculates child support as the share of each parent’s income which would have been spent on the children if the parents and children were living in the same household. The shares are based on the amount of money ordinarily spent on children by their families living in the United States and adjusted to South Carolina cost of living levels. This evidence indicates that individuals tend to spend money on their children in proportion to their income, and not solely on need. The expenditures include the following nine categories: food at home; food away from home; shelter; utilities; household goods (furniture, appliances, linens, floor coverings, and housewares); clothing; transportation (other than visitation related); ordinary health care; and recreation. Excluded from these expenditure categories are estimated expenditures for child care and extraordinary

medical expenses, which have been subtracted because they are added to child support on an as-paid basis. Also excluded from these estimates are personal insurance (e.g. life, disability), gifts,

contributions, and savings. Because mortgage principal (as opposed to interest) is considered to be savings, it is not included in the estimates of child-rearing expenditures.

These guidelines and the accompanying worksheets assume that the custodial parent is spending his or her calculated share directly on the child. For the noncustodial parent, the calculated amount establishes the level of child support to be given to the custodial parent for support of the child.

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II. USE OF THE GUIDELINES

A. The Child Support Guidelines are available to be used for temporary and permanent orders, actions for separate maintenance and support, divorce and child support awards. Additionally, the guidelines are to be used to assess the adequacy of agreements for support and encourage settlement of this issue between the parties.

(1) In any proceeding in which child support is in issue, the amount of the award which would result from the application of these guidelines is the amount of the child support to be awarded. However, a different amount may be awarded upon a showing that application of the guidelines is inappropriate. When the court orders a child support award that varies significantly from the amount resulting from the application of the guidelines, the court shall make specific, written findings of those facts upon which it bases its conclusion supporting that award.

(2) In cases where the parents’ combined monthly gross income is less than $600, the guidelines provide for a case-by-case determination of child support, which should ordinarily be set at no less than $50 per month. In those cases, the court should take care to award an amount of child support that would not jeopardize the ability of the noncustodial parent to live at a minimum level of subsistence. However, the guidelines encourage that a specific amount of child support always be ordered to establish in the payer’s mind the principle of the parent’s obligation to pay as well as lay the basis for

increased/decreased orders if income changes in the future.

(3) These guidelines provide for calculated amounts of child support for a combined parental gross income of up to $15,000 per month, or $180,000 per year. Where the combined gross income is higher, courts should determine child support awards on a case-by-case basis.

B. Deviation from the guidelines should be the exception rather than the rule. When the court deviates, it must make written findings that clearly state the nature and extent of the variation from the guidelines. These Child Support Guidelines do not take into account the economic impact of the following factors which can be possible reasons for deviation:

(1) Educational expenses for the child(ren) or the spouse (i.e., those incurred for private, parochial, or trade schools, other secondary schools, or

post-secondary education where there is tuition or related costs); (2) Equitable distribution of property;

(3) Consumer debts;

(4) Families with more than six children;

(5) Unreimbursed extraordinary medical/dental expenses for the noncustodial or custodial parent;

(6) Mandatory deduction of retirement pensions and union fees; (7) Child-related unreimbursed extraordinary medical expenses; (8) Monthly fixed payments imposed by court or operation of law;

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(9) Significant available income of the child(ren);

(10) Substantial disparity of income in which the noncustodial parent’s income is significantly less than the custodial parent’s income, thus making it financially impracticable to pay the amount the guidelines indicate the noncustodial parent should pay;

(11) Alimony. Because of their unique nature, lump sum, rehabilitative and reimbursement alimony may be considered by the court as a possible reason for deviation from these guidelines.

(12) Agreements Reached Between Parties. The court may deviate from the guidelines based on an agreement between the parties if both parties are represented by counsel or if, upon a thorough examination of any party not represented by counsel, the court determines the party fully understands the agreement as to child support. The court still has the discretion and the independent duty to determine if the amount is reasonable and in the best interest of the child(ren).

III. DETERMINATION OF CHILD SUPPORT AWARDS

A. Income.

(1) Definition. The guidelines define income as the actual gross income of the parent, if employed to full capacity, or potential income if unemployed or underemployed. Gross income is used in order to avoid contention over issues of deductibility which would

otherwise arise if net income were used. The guidelines are based on the assumption that the noncustodial parent will have only one federal exemption and will have higher taxes than the custodial parent. Adjustments have been made in the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations for lower child support payments. Other factors included in the schedule are South Carolina taxes, FICA and earned income.

(2) Gross Income. Gross income includes income from any source including salaries, wages, commissions, royalties, bonuses, rents (less allowable business expenses), dividends, severance pay, pensions, interest, trust income, annuities, capital gains, social security benefits (but not Supplemental Security Income), workers’ compensation benefits, unemployment insurance benefits, disability insurance benefits, Veterans’ benefits and alimony, including alimony received as a result of another marriage and alimony which a party receives as a result of the current litigation. Unreported case income should also be included if it can be identified.

(a) The court may also take into account assets available to generate income for child support. For example, the court may determine the reasonable earning potential of any asset at its market value and assess against it the current treasury bill interest rate or some other similar appropriate method of computing income.

(b) In addition to determining potential earnings, the court should impute income to any non-income producing assets of either parent, if significant, other than a primary residence or personal property. Examples of such assets are vacation homes (if not maintained as rental property) and idle land. The current rate

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determined by the court is the rate at which income should be imputed to such nonperforming assets.

(3) Gross income does not include:

(a) Benefits received from means-tested public assistance programs, such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Food Stamps and General Assistance;

(b) Income derived by other household members; and/or

(c) In-kind income; however, the court should count as income expense reimbursements or in-kind payments received by a parent from self- employment or operation of a business if they are significant and reduce personal living expenses, such as a company car, free housing, or reimbursed meals.

(4) Income From Self-Employment or Operation of a Business. For income from self-employment, proprietorship of a business, or ownership of a partnership or closely held corporation, gross income is defined as gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary expenses required for self-employment or business operation, including employer’s share of FICA. However, the court should exclude from those expenses amounts allowed by the Internal Revenue Service for accelerated depreciation or investment tax credits for purposes of the guidelines and add those amounts back in to determine gross income. In general, the court should carefully review income and expenses from self-employment or operation of a business to determine actual levels of gross income available to the parent to satisfy a child support obligation. As may be apparent, this amount may differ from a determination of business income for tax purposes.

(5) Potential Income. If the court finds that a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, it should calculate child support based on a determination of potential income which would otherwise ordinarily be available to the parent. If income is imputed to a custodial parent, the court may also impute reasonable day care expenses. Although Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and other means-tested public assistance benefits are not included in gross income, income may be imputed to these recipients. However, the court may take into account the presence of young children or handicapped children who must be cared for by the parent, necessitating the parent’s inability to work.

(a) The court may also wish to factor in considerations of rehabilitative alimony in order to enable the parent to become employed.

(b) In order to impute income to a parent who is unemployed or underemployed, the court should determine the employment potential and probable earnings level of the parent based on that parent’s recent work history, occupational qualifications, and prevailing job opportunities and earning levels in the community.

(6) Income Verification. Ordinarily, the court will determine income from verified financial declarations required by the Family Court rules. However, in the absence of any

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financial declaration, or where the amounts reflected on the financial declaration may be in issue, the Court may rely on suitable documentation of current earnings, preferably for at least one month, using such documents as pay stubs, employer statements, or receipts and expenses if the parent is self-employed. Verification of current earnings, whether reflected on a financial declaration or not, can be supported with copies of the most recent tax returns filed by the payer. Income can also be verified through the Employment Security

Commission or through the State Department of Revenue. B. Monthly Alimony (this action).

Any award of alimony between the parties should be taken into consideration by the court when utilizing these guidelines as a deduction from the payer spouse’s gross income, and as gross income received by the recipient spouse. Because of their unique nature, lump sum, rehabilitative,

reimbursement, or any other alimony the court may award, may be considered by the court as a possible reason for deviation from these guidelines. The purpose of this adjustment is not to give priority to alimony or child support payments. The purpose of these adjustments is to recognize that each parent’s proportional share of total combined monthly income changes with the introduction of any alimony award between the parties and to provide for a sharing of the Total Combined Monthly Child Support Obligation based upon each parent’s actual percentage share of the total combined monthly income, taking into consideration the financial impact of any alimony award between them, rather than the parent’s share of the total combined monthly income as it existed before any alimony award. Accordingly, the court, in its discretion, may consider any modification or termination of any alimony award between the parties of a child support award made under these guidelines. This adjustment does not affect the Total Combined Monthly Child Support Obligation of both parents as determined under these guidelines, which may be determined before any determination on the issue of alimony, as the total combined monthly income of both parties will remain the same irrespective of any income shifting between the parents as the result of an alimony award.

C. Other Monthly Alimony or Child Support Paid.

Any previous or existing court orders requiring the payment of child support, alimony, or both, should be protected by any subsequent child support order. Alimony actually paid as a result of another marriage or child support actually paid for the benefit of children other than those

considered in this computation, to the extent such payment or payments are required by a previous or existing court order, should be deducted from gross income.

D. Other Children in the Home.

Either parent shall receive credit for additional natural or adopted children living in the home, but not for step-children, unless a court order established a legal responsibility. Using the income of the parent with the additional child(ren) in the home only, the basic child support obligation for the number of additional dependents living with that parent (from the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations) is determined for that parent. This figure is multiplied by .75 and the resulting credit is subtracted from that parent’s gross income.

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E. Basic Child Support Obligation.

The court can determine the basic child support obligation using the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations. “Combined gross income” refers to the combined monthly gross incomes of the parents. Where combined gross income amounts fall between the amounts reflected in the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations, the court is encouraged to extrapolate upwardly to set the basic award. The number of children refers to that number for whom the parents share support responsibility and for whom support is being sought.

F. Self Support Reserve.

A self support reserve allows a low-income noncustodial parent to retain a minimal amount of income before being assessed a full percentage of child support. This insures that the noncustodial parent has sufficient income available to maintain a minimum standard of living which does not affect negatively his or her earning capacity, incentive to continue working, and ability to provide for him or herself. These Guidelines incorporate a self support reserve of $500.00 per month.

In order to safeguard the self support reserve in cases where the noncustodial parent’s income and corresponding number of children fall within the shaded area of the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations, the support obligation must be calculated using the noncustodial parent’s income only. To include the custodial parent’s income in the calculation of such cases would reduce the

noncustodial parent’s net income below the self support reserve.

G. Health Insurance.

The court shall consider provisions for adequate health insurance coverage for children in every child support order. Ordinarily, the court should require coverage by that parent who can obtain the most comprehensive coverage through an employer, or otherwise, at the most reasonable cost. If either parent carries health insurance for the child(ren) who is to receive support, the cost of the coverage should be added. If the employer provides some measure of coverage, only that amount actually paid by the employee or contributed by the employee should be added. Note that the portion of the health insurance premium which covers the children is the only expense that should be added. If this amount cannot be verified, the total cost of the premium should be divided by the total number of persons covered by the policy and then multiplied by the number of children in the

support order. Whichever party is responsible for paying the health insurance premium will receive a credit. The guidelines are based on the assumption that the custodial parent will be responsible for up to $250.00 per year per child in uninsured medical expenses. Extraordinary medical expenses, not addressed in the guidelines, are defined as reasonable and necessary uninsured medical expenses in excess of $250.00 per year per child. Under this definition, what is “reasonable and necessary” - e.g. orthodontia and professional counseling - would be at the discretion of the court. Extraordinary unreimbursed medical expenses addressed by the court shall be divided in pro rata percentages based on the proportional share of combined monthly adjusted gross income.

H. Child Care Costs.

The cost of day care the parent incurs due to employment or the search for employment, net of the federal income tax credit for such day care, is to be added to the basic obligation. This is to

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encourage parents to work and generate income for themselves as well as their children. However, day care costs must be reasonable, not to exceed the level required to provide high quality care for children from a licensed provider. The value of the federal income tax credit for child care should be subtracted from the actual cost of day care to arrive at a net figure. However, lower income single heads of household do not incur enough tax liability to benefit from the federal tax credit for child care. Therefore, the federal tax credit should be deducted from the actual child care expenses only for parents with incomes high enough to realize at least three-quarters of the full benefit of the credit.

I. Age Adjustment.

Economic research suggests that expenditures on children increase during teenage years. Such research indicates that expenditures on children in the 12-17 age group are significantly higher than expenditures on children in the 0-11 age group. Given that child-rearing expenditures are higher for older children, an issue in the development of guidelines is whether there should be age adjustments; that is, whether the guidelines should incorporate separate scales by age of the children. However, since these guidelines are based on economic data which represent estimates of total expenditures on child rearing up to age eighteen, except for child care and most health care costs, the need for

separate scales has been eliminated. J. Computation of Child Support.

The court can determine a total child support obligation by adding the basic child support obligation, health insurance premium (portion covering children), and work related child care costs.

(1) The total child support obligation is divided between the parents in proportion to their income. Each parent’s proportional share of combined adjusted gross income must be calculated. Compute the obligation of each parent by multiplying each parent’s share of income by the total child support obligation, and give the necessary credit for adjustments to the basic combined child support obligation.

(2) Although a monetary obligation is computed for each parent, the guidelines presume that the custodial parent will spend that parent’s share directly on the child in that parent’s custody. In cases of joint custody or split custody where both parents have responsibility of the child for a substantial portion of the time, there are provisions for adjustments.

IV. UNUSUAL CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS

A. Shared Parenting Arrangements.

The shared parenting adjustment is advisory and not compulsory. The court should consider each case individually before applying this adjustment to ensure that it does not place an undue hardship on the custodial parent or have a substantial negative effect on the child(ren)’s standard of living. For the purpose of this section, shared physical custody means that each parent has court-ordered visitation with the children overnight for more than 109 overnights each year (30%) and that both

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parents contribute to the expenses of the child(ren) in addition to the payment of child support. If a parent with visitation does not exercise the visitation as ordered by the court, the custodial parent may petition the court for a reversion to the level of support calculated under the guidelines without the shared parenting adjustment. The shared physical custody adjustment is an annual adjustment only and should not be used when the proportion of overnights exceeds 30% for a shorter period, e.g., a month. For example, child support is not abated during a month-long summer visitation. This adjustment should be applied without regard to legal custody of the child(ren). Legal custody refers to decision-making authority with respect to the child(ren). If the 109 overnights threshold is

reached for shared physical custody, this adjustment may be applied even if one parent has sole legal custody.

(1) Child support for cases with shared physical custody shall be calculated using Worksheet C. This worksheet should be used only for shared physical custody as defined above.

(2) The basic child support obligation shall be multiplied by 1.5 to arrive at a shared custody basic child support obligation. The shared custody basic child support obligation is apportioned to each parent according to his or her income. In turn, a child support obligation is computed for each parent by multiplying that parent’s portion of the shared custody child support obligation by the percentage of time the child(ren) spend(s) with that parent. The respective basic child support obligations are then offset, with the parent owing more basic child support paying the difference between the two amounts. The transfer for the basic obligation for the parent owing less basic child support shall be set at zero dollars.

(3) Adjustments for each parent’s additional direct expenses on the child(ren) are made by adding child(ren)’s share of any reimbursed child health care expenses, work-related child care expenses and any other extraordinary expenses agreed to by the parents or ordered by the tribunal, less any extraordinary credits agreed to by the parents or ordered by the tribunal according to their income share. In turn, each parent’s net share of additional direct expenses is determined by subtracting the parent’s actual direct expenses on the child(ren)’s share of any unreimbursed child health care expenses, work-related child care expenses and any other extraordinary expenses agreed to by the parents or ordered by the tribunal less any extraordinary credits agreed to by the parents or ordered by the tribunal from their share. The parent with a positive net share of additional direct expenses owes the other parent the amount of his or her net share of additional direct expenses. The parent with zero or a negative net share of additional expenses owes zero dollars for additional direct expenses.

(4) The final amount of the child support order is determined by summing what each parent owes for the basic support obligation and additional direct expenses as defined in subsections (2) and (3) of this section. The respective sums are then offset, with the parent owing more paying the other parent the difference between the two amounts.

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B. Split Custody.

Split custody refers to custody arrangements where there are two or more children and each parent has physical custody of at least one child. Using these guidelines, the court should determine a theoretical support payment for the child or children in the custody of the other. The obligation is then offset, with the parent owing the larger amount paying the next amount to the other parent. In split custody arrangements the guidelines arrive at separate computations for the child or children residing with each parent. The support obligation must then be prorated among all children in the household. For example, if there are three children due support, with two residing with one parent and one with the other, the court should calculate support amounts using the table for three children, with one-third of that amount being used to determine the basic child support obligation for one child and two-thirds for the other two children.

V. PERIODIC REVIEW

Pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, the Department of Social Services is required to periodically review child support orders not later than thirty-six months after the establishment of the order or the most recent review unless:

(1) in a TANF case, neither party has requested a review and the Department of Social Services has determined that a review is not in the child’s best interest; or (2) in a non-TANF case, neither party has requested a review.

VI. CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES SCHEDULE AND WORKSHEETS

South Carolina Child Support Guidelines Schedule and worksheets are specifically incorporated into these regulations by reference. Copies of the Schedule and worksheets are on file with the

Legislative Council and may also be obtained from the State Department of Social Services and local Clerks of Court offices.

THE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT DIVISION

The Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) of the South Carolina Department of Social Services is responsible for administering a statewide child support enforcement program under the provisions of Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 651 through 669). Through this program, the CSED provides child support services to recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, Foster Care Services, as well as to any other individual who applies for child support services. The Division is organized into the following branches: Financial Services, Central Program Operations, Management Support, Contracts Management and Evaluation, and Regional Operations. In addition, the CSED has cooperative agreements with the individual Clerks of Court offices and Sheriffs’ Departments, which are responsible for collecting child support, initiating contempt proceedings, scheduling family court hearings and service of process.

Child support enforcement on the State and local levels specifically includes all activities devoted to securing paternity for South Carolina’s children and the payments of established financial obligations from absent parents. To achieve this end, the child support enforcement program carries out many federally mandated functions at the state level. For more information about the child support enforcement program, call 1-800-768-5858.

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SOUTH CAROLINA

SCHEDULE OF BASIC CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS COMBINED

GROSS

MONTHLY ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX

INCOME CHILD CHILDREN CHILDREN CHILDREN CHILDREN CHILDREN

0 - 600 50 50 50 50 50 50

650 86 87 88 89 90 91

700 118 119 120 122 123 124

750 147 149 151 152 154 156

800 172 182 184 186 188 190

850 181 215 218 220 222 225

900 190 248 251 254 257 259

950 198 281 284 287 291 294

1000 207 302 317 321 324 328

1050 216 314 351 354 358 362

1100 224 327 384 388 392 396

1150 233 340 402 421 425 430

1200 242 352 417 454 459 464

1250 250 365 432 477 492 497

1300 259 377 446 493 526 531

1350 267 390 461 510 552 565

1400 276 402 476 526 570 599

1450 284 414 491 542 588 629

1500 293 426 504 557 604 646

1550 301 438 518 572 620 664

1600 309 449 531 587 636 681

1650 317 461 545 602 653 698

1700 325 473 558 617 669 716

1750 333 484 572 632 685 733

1800 341 496 585 647 701 750

1850 349 507 599 662 717 768

1900 357 519 612 677 733 785

1950 365 530 626 691 750 802

2000 373 542 639 706 766 819

2050 381 553 653 721 782 836

2100 389 565 666 736 798 854

2150 397 576 679 751 814 871

2200 405 588 693 766 830 888

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SOUTH CAROLINA

GROSS

2300 421 611 720 795 862 922

2350 429 622 733 810 878 940

2400 437 634 747 825 894 957

2450 446 645 760 840 910 974

2500 454 657 773 855 926 991

2550 462 668 787 869 942 1008

2600 470 680 800 884 959 1026

2650 477 690 812 897 973 1041

2700 484 700 823 910 986 1055

2750 490 709 834 922 999 1069

2800 497 718 845 933 1012 1083

2850 502 726 854 943 1023 1094

2900 507 733 863 953 1033 1105

2950 512 741 871 963 1044 1117

3000 517 748 880 973 1054 1128

3050 522 755 889 983 1065 1140

3100 527 763 898 992 1076 1151

3150 532 770 907 1002 1086 1162

3200 537 778 916 1012 1097 1174

3250 542 785 925 1022 1108 1185

3300 547 793 934 1032 1118 1197

3350 552 800 943 1041 1129 1208

3400 557 807 951 1051 1140 1219

3450 562 815 960 1061 1150 1231

3500 567 822 969 1071 1161 1242

3550 572 830 978 1081 1172 1254

3600 578 837 987 1091 1182 1265

3650 581 842 993 1097 1189 1272

3700 585 847 998 1103 1196 1279

3750 588 852 1004 1109 1202 1286

3800 592 857 1009 1115 1209 1293

3850 595 862 1014 1121 1215 1300

3900 599 867 1020 1127 1222 1307

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SOUTH CAROLINA

GROSS

4000 606 876 1031 1139 1235 1321

4050 610 881 1036 1145 1241 1328

4100 613 886 1042 1151 1248 1335

4150 617 891 1047 1157 1254 1342

4200 620 896 1053 1163 1261 1349

4250 624 901 1058 1169 1267 1356

4300 627 906 1063 1175 1274 1363

4350 631 911 1069 1181 1280 1370

4400 635 915 1074 1187 1287 1377

4450 638 920 1079 1193 1293 1383

4500 641 924 1084 1198 1299 1390

4550 644 929 1089 1204 1305 1396

4600 647 933 1094 1209 1311 1403

4650 650 937 1100 1215 1317 1409

4700 653 942 1105 1221 1323 1416

4750 656 946 1110 1226 1329 1422

4800 659 950 1115 1232 1335 1429

4850 662 955 1120 1237 1341 1435

4900 665 959 1125 1243 1347 1442

4950 668 964 1130 1248 1353 1448

5000 671 968 1135 1254 1359 1455

5050 674 972 1140 1260 1365 1461

5100 677 976 1145 1265 1371 1467

5150 680 981 1150 1270 1377 1473

5200 683 985 1154 1276 1383 1480

5250 687 990 1160 1282 1390 1487

5300 691 996 1168 1290 1399 1496

5350 695 1002 1175 1298 1407 1506

5400 700 1009 1182 1307 1416 1515

5450 704 1015 1190 1315 1425 1525

5500 709 1022 1198 1324 1435 1535

5550 714 1029 1206 1333 1445 1546

5600 718 1036 1215 1342 1455 1557

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SOUTH CAROLINA

GROSS

5700 728 1050 1231 1360 1475 1578

5750 733 1057 1239 1369 1484 1588

5800 738 1064 1248 1379 1494 1599

5850 743 1071 1256 1388 1504 1610

5900 747 1078 1264 1397 1514 1620

5950 752 1085 1272 1406 1524 1631

6000 757 1092 1281 1415 1534 1641

6050 762 1098 1288 1423 1543 1651

6100 766 1104 1295 1431 1551 1659

6150 770 1110 1302 1438 1559 1668

6200 774 1116 1308 1446 1567 1677

6250 779 1122 1315 1453 1575 1685

6300 783 1128 1322 1461 1583 1694

6350 787 1134 1328 1468 1591 1703

6400 791 1139 1335 1475 1599 1711

6450 795 1145 1342 1483 1607 1720

6500 800 1151 1349 1490 1616 1729

6550 804 1157 1355 1498 1624 1737

6600 808 1163 1362 1505 1632 1746

6650 812 1169 1369 1513 1640 1755

6700 816 1175 1376 1520 1648 1763

6750 821 1181 1382 1528 1656 1772

6800 825 1187 1389 1535 1664 1781

6850 830 1193 1397 1544 1673 1790

6900 834 1200 1405 1552 1682 1800

6950 839 1206 1412 1561 1692 1810

7000 843 1213 1420 1569 1701 1820

7050 848 1220 1428 1577 1710 1830

7100 852 1226 1435 1586 1719 1839

7150 857 1233 1443 1594 1728 1849

7200 861 1239 1450 1603 1737 1859

7250 866 1246 1458 1611 1747 1869

7300 871 1252 1466 1620 1756 1879

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SOUTH CAROLINA

GROSS

7400 880 1265 1481 1637 1774 1898

7450 884 1272 1489 1645 1783 1908

7500 889 1278 1496 1654 1792 1918

7550 893 1285 1504 1662 1802 1928

7600 898 1291 1512 1671 1811 1938

7650 903 1298 1519 1679 1820 1947

7700 907 1305 1527 1687 1829 1957

7750 912 1311 1535 1696 1838 1967

7800 916 1318 1542 1704 1847 1977

7850 921 1324 1550 1713 1857 1987

7900 925 1331 1558 1721 1866 1996

7950 930 1337 1565 1730 1875 2006

8000 934 1343 1573 1738 1884 2016

8050 938 1350 1580 1746 1893 2025

8100 943 1356 1588 1754 1902 2035

8150 947 1362 1595 1762 1910 2044

8200 951 1368 1602 1771 1919 2054

8250 955 1375 1610 1779 1928 2063

8300 960 1381 1617 1787 1937 2073

8350 964 1387 1625 1795 1946 2082

8400 968 1393 1632 1803 1955 2092

8450 972 1399 1639 1811 1964 2101

8500 977 1406 1647 1820 1972 2111

8550 981 1412 1654 1828 1981 2120

8600 985 1418 1662 1836 1990 2130

8650 989 1424 1669 1844 1999 2139

8700 993 1430 1676 1852 2008 2149

8750 998 1437 1684 1861 2017 2158

8800 1002 1443 1691 1869 2026 2167

8850 1006 1449 1699 1877 2035 2177

8900 1010 1455 1706 1885 2043 2186

8950 1015 1462 1713 1893 2052 2196

9000 1019 1468 1721 1901 2061 2205

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SOUTH CAROLINA

GROSS

9100 1027 1480 1736 1918 2079 2224

9150 1032 1486 1743 1926 2088 2234

9200 1036 1493 1750 1934 2097 2243

9250 1040 1499 1758 1942 2105 2253

9300 1044 1505 1765 1951 2114 2262

9350 1049 1511 1773 1959 2123 2272

9400 1053 1518 1780 1967 2132 2281

9450 1057 1524 1787 1975 2141 2291

9500 1061 1529 1794 1982 2149 2299

9550 1064 1534 1800 1989 2156 2307

9600 1068 1539 1806 1995 2163 2314

9650 1071 1544 1812 2002 2170 2322

9700 1074 1549 1817 2008 2177 2329

9750 1077 1554 1823 2015 2184 2337

9800 1081 1559 1829 2021 2191 2344

9850 1084 1563 1835 2028 2198 2352

9900 1087 1568 1841 2034 2205 2359

9950 1091 1573 1847 2041 2212 2367

10000 1094 1578 1853 2047 2219 2374

10050 1097 1583 1858 2053 2226 2382

10100 1101 1588 1864 2060 2233 2389

10150 1104 1593 1870 2066 2240 2397

10200 1107 1598 1876 2073 2247 2404

10250 1111 1602 1882 2079 2254 2412

10300 1114 1607 1888 2086 2261 2419

10350 1117 1612 1893 2092 2268 2427

10400 1121 1617 1899 2099 2275 2434

10450 1124 1622 1905 2105 2282 2442

10500 1127 1627 1911 2112 2289 2449

10550 1131 1632 1917 2118 2296 2457

10600 1134 1636 1923 2125 2303 2464

10650 1137 1641 1929 2131 2310 2472

10700 1140 1646 1934 2137 2317 2479

(18)

SOUTH CAROLINA

GROSS

10800 1147 1656 1946 2150 2331 2494

10850 1150 1661 1952 2157 2338 2502

10900 1154 1666 1958 2163 2345 2509

10950 1157 1671 1964 2170 2352 2517

11000 1160 1675 1969 2176 2358 2524

11050 1163 1680 1974 2182 2365 2530

11100 1166 1684 1980 2188 2371 2537

11150 1169 1688 1985 2193 2378 2544

11200 1172 1693 1990 2199 2384 2551

11250 1175 1697 1996 2205 2391 2558

11300 1178 1702 2001 2211 2397 2565

11350 1181 1706 2007 2217 2403 2572

11400 1184 1711 2012 2223 2410 2579

11450 1187 1715 2017 2229 2416 2585

11500 1191 1720 2023 2235 2423 2592

11550 1194 1724 2028 2241 2429 2599

11600 1197 1729 2033 2247 2435 2606

11650 1200 1733 2039 2253 2442 2613

11700 1203 1738 2044 2259 2448 2620

11750 1206 1742 2049 2265 2455 2627

11800 1209 1747 2055 2270 2461 2633

11850 1212 1751 2060 2276 2468 2640

11900 1214 1755 2065 2282 2473 2646

11950 1217 1759 2069 2287 2479 2652

12000 1220 1763 2074 2292 2484 2658

12050 1223 1767 2079 2297 2490 2664

12100 1225 1771 2083 2302 2496 2670

12150 1228 1775 2088 2307 2501 2676

12200 1231 1779 2093 2312 2507 2682

12250 1234 1783 2097 2318 2512 2688

12300 1236 1787 2102 2323 2518 2694

12350 1239 1791 2107 2328 2523 2700

12400 1242 1795 2111 2333 2529 2706

(19)

SOUTH CAROLINA

GROSS

12500 1247 1802 2121 2343 2540 2718

12550 1250 1806 2125 2348 2546 2724

12600 1253 1810 2130 2354 2551 2730

12650 1255 1814 2135 2359 2557 2736

12700 1258 1818 2139 2364 2563 2742

12750 1261 1822 2144 2369 2568 2748

12800 1264 1826 2149 2374 2574 2754

12850 1266 1830 2153 2379 2579 2760

12900 1269 1834 2158 2385 2585 2766

12950 1272 1838 2163 2390 2590 2772

13000 1274 1842 2167 2395 2596 2778

13050 1277 1846 2172 2400 2602 2784

13100 1280 1850 2177 2405 2607 2790

13150 1283 1854 2181 2410 2613 2796

13200 1285 1858 2186 2415 2618 2802

13250 1288 1862 2190 2421 2624 2807

13300 1291 1866 2195 2426 2629 2813

13350 1294 1870 2200 2431 2635 2819

13400 1296 1874 2204 2436 2641 2825

13450 1299 1877 2209 2441 2646 2831

13500 1302 1881 2214 2446 2652 2837

13550 1304 1885 2218 2451 2657 2843

13600 1307 1889 2223 2457 2663 2849

13650 1310 1893 2228 2462 2668 2855

13700 1313 1897 2232 2467 2674 2861

13750 1315 1901 2237 2472 2680 2867

13800 1318 1905 2242 2477 2685 2873

13850 1321 1909 2246 2482 2691 2879

13900 1324 1913 2251 2487 2696 2885

13950 1326 1917 2256 2493 2702 2891

14000 1329 1921 2260 2498 2708 2897

14050 1332 1925 2265 2503 2713 2903

14100 1334 1929 2270 2508 2719 2909

(20)

SOUTH CAROLINA

GROSS

14200 1340 1937 2279 2518 2730 2921

14250 1343 1941 2284 2523 2735 2927

14300 1345 1945 2288 2529 2741 2933

14350 1348 1949 2293 2534 2747 2939

14400 1351 1952 2298 2539 2752 2945

14450 1354 1956 2302 2544 2758 2951

14500 1356 1960 2307 2549 2763 2957

14550 1359 1964 2312 2554 2769 2963

14600 1362 1968 2316 2559 2774 2969

14650 1364 1972 2321 2565 2780 2975

14700 1367 1976 2325 2570 2786 2981

14750 1370 1980 2330 2575 2791 2986

14800 1373 1984 2335 2580 2797 2992

14850 1375 1988 2339 2585 2802 2998

14900 1378 1992 2344 2590 2808 3004

14950 1381 1996 2349 2595 2813 3010

(21)

Father Mother

1. Monthly Gross Income:

Imputed Imputed

2. Monthly Alimony (This Action)

a. To Be Received: + +

b. To Be Paid: – –

3. a. Other Monthly Alimony or Child Support Paid: – –

(If Having Priority Over This Action)

b. Adjustment For Other Child(ren)

In the Home: – –

4. Adjusted Monthly Gross Income: 4(F) + 4(M) = 4(C)

Number of Children To Be Supported By Order In This Action:

5. Basic Combined Child Support Obligation: (Gross) 5(C)

(From Schedule, Using Combined Monthly Adjusted Gross Income (Line (4C))

6. Adjustment to Basic Child Support Obligation

a. Health Insurance Premium: + +

(Portion Covering Children Only)

b. Child(ren)’s Extraordinary Medical Expenses: + + c. Work-Related Child Care Costs Adjusted

For Federal Tax Credit:

Actual x 0.75 = + +

(0.75 adjusts for Federal Tax Credit, but does not apply for certain income levels; see instructions.)

Total Adjustment to Basic Combined Child

Support Obligation: 6(F) + 6(M) = 6(C)+

7. Total Combined Monthly Child Support

Obligation: (Net) = 7(C)

South Carolina Department of Social Services

CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATION: WORKSHEET A

Date: Worksheet Prepared By: For: Father Mother

Name of Plaintiff Name of Defendant File Number

vs.

8. Proportional Share of Combined Monthly

Adjusted Gross Income: 8(F) % 8(M) %

9. Gross Child Support Obligation of Individual

Parent: (Monthly) 9(F) 9(M)

Complete Items 10-11 for Noncustodial Parent Only:

Noncustodial Parent is: (Check One) Father Mother

10. Credit for Adjustment to Basic Combined Child

Support Obligation: (From Item 6(F) or Item 6(M)) 10(F) 10(M)

11. Net Child Support To Be Paid To Custodial Parent: 11(F) 11(M)

4(F)/4(C) = 8(F)

7(C) x 8(F) = 9(F) 7(C) x 8(M) = 9(M)

(Same as Item 6(F) (Same as Item 6(M)

4(F) + 4(M) = 4(C)

Combined Monthly Adjusted Gross Income

5(C) + 6(C) = 7(C)

4(M)/4(C) = 8(M)

(22)

Reasons For Deviation From The Guidelines Award Amount:

Signature

(23)

SPLIT CUSTODY WORKSHEET: WORKSHEET B

Date: Worksheet Prepared by: For: Father Mother

vs.

Children with Mother: DOB: Children with Father: DOB:

1. Total Number of Children with Mother: 2. Total Number of Children with Father: 2. Combined Monthly Adjusted Gross Income: $

(From Line 4(C) Worksheet A)

3. Combined Child Support Obligation: $

(Apply Line 2 to Schedule)

Mother Father

4. Prorated Percentage: (Number of children with each parent % % divided by the total number of children)

5. Prorated Basic Obligation for Children with Each Parent: $ $

(Multiply Line 4 by Line 3 for each parent)

5a. Health Insurance Premium: + +

(Portion covering children only)

5b. Children’s Extraordinary Medical Costs: + + 5c. Work-Related Child Care Costs Adjusted for + +

Federal Tax Credit: (Actual x 0.75)

6. Total Prorated Obligations: $ $

(Lines 5a + 5b + 5c)

7. Allocation to Parties:

7a. Percentage Share of Income: % %

(From Line 8 Worksheet A)

7b. Mother’s Obligation to Father: $

(Multiply Line 7a by Line 6 as arrows direct)

7c. Father’s Obligation to Mother: $

(Multiply Line 7a by Line 6 as arrows direct)

8. Final Child Support Amount: (Subtract lesser amount from greater $ $ amount in Line 7b and Line 7c and place result under greater amount)

(24)

Signature

(25)

SHARED PARENTING WORKSHEET: WORKSHEET C

vs.

Father Mother

1. Monthly Gross Income: 2. Monthly Alimony (This Action)

a. To Be Received: + + b. To Be Paid: – – 3. a. Other Monthly Alimony or Child Support Paid: – –

(If Having Priority Over This Action)

b. Adjustment For Other Child(ren)

In the Home: (0.75) – –

4. Adjusted Monthly Gross Income: 4(F) + 4(M) = 4(C)

5. Proportional Share of Combined Monthly

Adjusted Gross Income: 5(F) %+ 5(M) %

4(F) + 4(M) = 4(C)

Combined Monthly Adjusted Gross Income

4(F)/4(C) = 5(F) 4(M)/4(C) = 5(M)

Number of Children To Be Supported By Order In This Action:

6. Basic Combined Child Support Obligation: (Gross) 6(C) (From Schedule, Using Combined Monthly Adjusted

Gross Income (Line (4C))

7. Shared Custody Basic Obligation: 7(C) Father Mother

8. Each Parent’s Share: 8(F) 8(M)

9. Overnights with Each Parent: 9(F) + 9(M) = 9(C)

10. Percentage with Each Parent: 10(F) %+ 10(M) % = 10(C)

11. Amount Retained: 11(F) 11(M)

12. Each Parent’s Obligation: 12(F) 12(M)

13. Amount Transferred for Shared Basic Obligation: 13(F) 13(M)

(If Negative Number, Enter $0)

14. Adjustment to Basic Obligation

a. Health Insurance Premium: + +

(Portion Covering Children Only)

b. Child(ren)’s Extraordinary Medical Expenses: + + c. Work-Related Child Care Costs: + +

Total Adjustment: 14(F) + 14(M) = 14(C)

15. Each Parent’s Share of Total Adjustments: 15(F) 15(M)

16. Amount Transferred for Adjustments: 16(F) 16(M)

17. Total Amount Transferred: 17(F) 17(M)

18. Final Child Support Amount: 18(F) 18(M)

6(C) x 1.50

5(F) x 7(C) = 8(F) 5(M) x 7(C) = 8(M)

365

100% 9(F)/365 = 10(F) 9(M)/365 = 10(M)

8(F) x 10(F) = 11(F) 8(M) x 10(M) = 11(M)

8(F) – 11(F) = 12(F) 8(M) – 11(M) = 12(M)

2(F) – 12(M) 12(M) – 12(F)

14(C) x 5(F) = 15(F) 14(C) x 5(M) = 15(M)

15(F) – 14(F) 15(M) – 14(M)

13(F) + 16(F) = 17(F) 13(M) + 16(M) = 17(M)

17(F) – 17(M) 17(M) – 17(F)

(26)

Signature Date

(27)

South Carolina Child Support Guidelines Day Care Tax Credit Thresholds for 1999

Under most circumstances, custodial parents who incur day care expenses should be given credit for 75% of the day care costs paid. This reflects the net of the federal income tax credit which is given for day care expenditures. However, lower income custodial parents may have an income level which effectively negates the benefit of this tax credit. Custodial parents with gross income less than the following threshold amounts should be given credit for 100% of actual day care expenditures when calculating guidelines amounts. These amounts will be updated each year as changes are made to the federal income tax code.

One Child

Two Children

Three Children

Four Children

Five Children

Six Children

Custodial Parent Monthly Income

(28)

South Carolina Child Support Guidelines Evaluation Form

Federal law requires that each State’s child support guidelines be reviewed every four years. Please participate in this review process by completing this form and returning it to the address below.

1. Do you think that the guidelines are clear and easy to use? If not, what would you like to see changed?

2. Are the guidelines fair to all parties: custodial parent, noncustodial parent, joint custody? If not, how could the guidelines be made fairer to both parties?

3. From your experience with the guidelines, have the award amounts been adequate, too high, or too low?

4. General comments or suggestions (please attach additional sheets if necessary):

Name (optional): __________________________________

Address: ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Return to:

Child Support Enforcement Division South Carolina Department of Social Services

Post Office Box 1469

Columbia, South Carolina 29202-1469 Attention: Michael Thigpen

Child Support Guidelines

Child Support

Guidelines

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATION: WORKSHEET A

SPLIT CUSTODY WORKSHEET: WORKSHEET B

SHARED PARENTING WORKSHEET: WORKSHEET C