Financial Matters: Child Support

Minnesota Child Support

Child support in Minnesota is the right of the child to receive support from both parents. Minnesota blends both parent’s income with the number of overnights to determine child support owed. Minnesota defines the operation of Child Support under Minnesota Chapter 518A. Child Support incorporates three components: Basic Child Support, Medical Support, and Child Care (discussed below). Calculating child support is governed by Minnesota Statute Section 518A.34. Calculating child support is complicated. The State of Minnesota published free on-line calculator, located Here. Deviations from child support calculations is permissible with court approval and an intervening child support agency, if applicable.

However, the calculation of child support requires a comprehensive understanding of various factors, including what income should be included in the calculation. This involves not only the salaries of both parents but also any additional sources of income such as bonuses, investment earnings, or other financial benefits. Additionally, there needs to be a thorough determination of whether either party is underemployed, which can often complicate matters.

If one parent is deemed underemployed, the next step is to estimate earnings based on their qualifications, work history, and the job market. Once income is determined, medical insurance must be calculated by reducing the monthly premiums to those related to the minor child(ren) only. All these components work together to ensure that the child support amount is fair and adequately meets the needs of the children involved.

Basic Child Support

Basic support combines both parent’s monthly gross income and number of overnights. Basic support is intended to provide for things related to the child’s basic needs pertaining to:

  • Housing 
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Transportation

Medical Support

Medical support is calculated based on income and amount spent by a parent for medical coverage. The non-policy holding parent reimburses the medical support to the policy holder. Medical support is intended to provide reimbursement for:

  • Health insurance
  • dental insurance
  • vision insurance

Child Care Support

Generally, the State of Minnesota presumes both parents work. The presumption is held even if one parent does not work. The nonworking parent will be imputed income at a commensurate wage given their work history, certifications, or other qualifications. If a parent incurs child-care expenses due to work, school, or job training, the court may child care support as compensation. Child care support is intended to provide for:

  • Daycare expense
  • Before school child care
  • After school child care

How Is Child Support Calculated in Minnesota?

Minnesota calculates both parents’ income, factoring payments made toward medical insurance and dental insurance, and number of overnights under Minnesota Statute 518A. Child support calculations generally consider the following when computing child support obligations of each parent:

  • Each parent’s gross monthly income – combined,
  • Number of joint children between the parents,
  • Number of children that are non-joint children (meaning children from other partners),
  • Parental Income Child Support (PICS) determination – a percentage assigned to both parents to determine each proportional share of out-of-pocket expenses such as unreimbursed medical expenses, extracurricular activities, and more,
  • Parenting time schedule, and
  • Expenses for childcare.

Deviations from child support are permissible upon court approval and intervenor’s approval. This typically occurs when both parties earn the same gross income with equal parenting time. However, requests to waive child support are generally discouraged because support is the right of the child, not the parent.

Minnesota Child Support Requires Determination of the Parent’s Gross Income

Gross income generally includes periodic payments from sources such as:

  • Wage (salary and hourly) income,
  • Bonus,
  • Commissions,
  • Welf-employment income, 
  • Other benefits paid by an employer, or
  • Other periodic payments received.

Parenting Time and Child Support

In Minnesota, parenting time schedules may affect amounts owed. The number of overnights spent with each parent is factored into the calculation for child support. When one parent receives more parenting time than the other, they are considered the custodial parent. The non-custodial parent (the parent with less parenting time) may owe more in child support than the custodial parent.

Modification of Child Support

A parent can request modification of child support if there has been a “substantial change in circumstances,” such as generally:

  • Increase or decrease in income by at least $75 per month
  • Job loss or significant income change
  • Increased childcare or medical costs
  • Change in parenting time
  • New child from a different relationship

An increase or decrease in child support requires a parent petition the court and provide documentation to support the modification request.

Non-Payment of Child Support 

Failure to pay child support is a serious matter that can subject a parent to penalties, contempt, suspension of a driver’s license, and even potential criminal charges. The methods of enforcing child support include:

  • Income withholding (wage garnishment),
  • Tax refund interception,
  • Driver’s license suspension,
  • Contempt of court actions, 
  • Bank account levies,
  • Conduct-based attorney fees to the other parent, or
  • Other serious ramifications