Alabama Child Support Guidelines

In Alabama, both parents are legally responsible for supporting their children. The amount of support is determined by income, parenting time, and statutory guidelines, not simply by agreement between the parents.

Child support is calculated based on the Alabama Child Support Guidelines, which consider the gross income of both parents, the amount of time the child spends with each parent, health insurance costs, and other relevant factors.


How Parenting Time Affects Child Support

Although both parents share financial responsibility, the amount one parent pays in child support can be affected by the visitation schedule. When one parent has significantly more parenting time, the other parent typically pays support. If parenting time and income are roughly equal, the court may reduce or adjust the amount ordered.

Even if both parents agree to waive child support, the court must ensure that any support arrangement is in the best interest of the child. Courts rarely approve agreements to eliminate support unless both parents earn similar incomes and share time equally.


Calculating Child Support

The Alabama Child Support Guidelines provide a formula that considers:

  • Each parent’s gross monthly income
  • Health insurance premiums for the child
  • Work-related child care costs
  • The number of overnights the child spends with each parent

If a parent is unemployed but able to work, income may be imputed based on minimum wage or earning potential.

If a child support amount deviates from the statutory guideline, the court must explain in writing why the deviation is in the child’s best interest.


Income Withholding & Payment Center

Most child support orders in Alabama include an Income Withholding Order (IWO), which directs the paying parent’s employer to deduct support payments from their paycheck. Payments are typically submitted to the:

Alabama Child Support Payment Center
Montgomery, Alabama

This ensures a clear record of payments. Unless both parties agree otherwise and the court approves, child support is not paid directly between parents.


Enforcement of Child Support Orders

Failure to comply with a court-ordered child support obligation can result in enforcement actions, including:

  • Contempt of court proceedings
  • Wage garnishment or seizure of tax refunds
  • Suspension of driver’s or professional licenses
  • Potential jail time in severe cases

Note on Uncontested Divorce Cases

If you and your spouse agree on child support terms that differ from the guideline amount, the court will require a written explanation. The judge must find that the deviation still meets the best interests of the child before approving the agreement.