HOW MUCH CHILD SUPPORT WILL I RECEIVE?
OR
HOW MUCH CHILD SUPPORT WILL I HAVE TO PAY?
In South Carolina, child support is calculated by "The Child Support Guidelines." The amount of child support that will receive or the amount of child support that you will have to pay is calculated by a formula. The judge has very little discretion to vary from the formula. For example, a mother with children will not receive "more" child support just because the judge feels sorry for her. Also, a father with children will not receive "less" child support just because he "makes a lot of money."
No formula is perfect. That is also true about the way that child support is calculated in South Carolina. However, usually the Family Court applies the same formula consistantly to both parents who have to pay child support and parents who receive child support. The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) has a child support calculator at their website. This is a good tool in order to get a rough estimate of the amount of child support that you may pay or receive. There are many variables that have to be inserted into the formula, and it is easy to make mistakes when calculating child support. An experienced Family Law Lawyer will be able to help you determine if you are calculating child support correctly.
Click here to go to the DSS Child Support Calculator. 