CHILD SUPPORT: Pa. Changes in Calculations as of May 1, 2017

Child support calculations have been revised because the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has updated its support guidelines, effective May 1, 2017.

The state updates its basic child support schedule about every four years to reflect new economic data and cost of living increases. The largest change is a slight increase in the Self Support Reserve at the poverty level to $1,000 for one person, the 2017 poverty level for Pennsylvania. Self Support Reserve means the amount the state identifies as necessary for living expenses for the parent personally. Pennsylvania child support is calculated on the assumption that the child or children of divorced parents should receive the same amount of financial support they would have if the family was intact.

Thus, parents on the lower end of the income scale may actually see a slight drop in the amount of support they must pay, as they are now allowed to keep about $70 more per month for their own upkeep.

Middle or high income parents, though, will likely see a small increase when calculating support due. When both parents’ combined net incomes are around $4500/per month, they will likely see an increase of $20 or $30 per month in their support calculation.

Remember, though, that no Support Order will be automatically changed by the Court due to new statewide statistical guidelines. To obtain any change in your current Support Order based on the new support schedule implemented May 1, one or both parents must file a child support modification request.

In some cases, this can be done without going to Court.

Call my office to set up a free first consult to discuss how the new Support Guidelines might impact you.