How is child support calculated in Arizona?

Using the Income Shares Model under A.R.S. § 25-320, adopted by the Arizona Supreme Court for actions filed on or after January 1, 2022. The total child support amount approximates what would have been spent on the children if the family remained intact, and each parent contributes their proportionate share.

Is there a minimum income a parent is assumed to earn?

Yes. Courts presume a parent ordered to pay support is capable of earning at least minimum wage, which in 2026 is $15.15 per hour in most Arizona counties, even if that parent's actual reported income is lower.

How is child support enforced in Arizona?

Income withholding is the default payment method, with employers required to deduct support directly and send it to DCSS. Courts must issue Income Withholding Orders, and DCSS can pursue suspension of driver's, professional, and recreational licenses once arrears reach a certain threshold.

Arizona, United States

Arizona Child Support: A Parent's Guide

Q: What factors go into the calculation?

Both parents' gross incomes, the number of children, the parenting time schedule, healthcare costs, childcare expenses, and other adjustments, run through the guidelines to produce a presumptive support amount.

Q: How often is my case reviewed for modification?

Child support orders are subject to review every two years, and either parent can also file for modification by showing a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, often measured by at least a 15% income change. Review and modification can take up to 6 months depending on how quickly both parties provide information.

How child support works in Arizona, in plain English: the income shares guidelines, the 2-year review, and DCSS enforcement.

Legal sources reviewed: August 10, 2026

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In short: Arizona uses the Income Shares Model, adopted by the state Supreme Court effective for cases filed since January 1, 2022, and presumes a paying parent can earn at least minimum wage regardless of their reported income. Orders are reviewed automatically every two years, and enforcement runs through mandatory income withholding administered by the Department of Economic Security's Division of Child Support Services (DCSS).

This is an educational overview written for parents, not lawyers. It isn't legal advice. For anything beyond general understanding, talk to a licensed Arizona family law attorney.

What Arizona generally provides

Under A.R.S. § 25-320, the Arizona Child Support Guidelines, adopted by the Arizona Supreme Court for actions filed on or after January 1, 2022, follow the Income Shares Model: the total support amount approximates what would have been spent on the children had the family stayed together, with each parent contributing their proportionate share.

Important terminology

Income Shares Model: Arizona's calculation method, weighing both parents' gross incomes, the parenting time schedule, and specific add-on costs.
Minimum wage presumption: the default assumption that a paying parent can earn at least minimum wage, $15.15/hour in most counties as of 2026, regardless of actual reported income.
DCSS: the Arizona Division of Child Support Services, which handles applications, payments, modifications not handled by the courts, and enforcement.

How the calculation works

Weighing income, time, and costs together

The Income Shares Model factors in both parents' gross incomes, the number of children, the parenting time schedule, healthcare costs, childcare expenses, and other adjustments to produce a presumptive amount that courts order unless a specific deviation factor applies.

The minimum wage floor

Under A.R.S. § 25-320, courts presume a parent ordered to pay support is capable of earning at least minimum wage, $15.15/hour in most Arizona counties as of 2026. This matters for a parent who is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed, the calculation won't necessarily use their actual, lower reported income.

Requesting or defending a modification

Arizona child support orders are subject to review every two years, and a parent can also file for a modification sooner by showing a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, often measured against at least a 15% income change. The review and modification process can take up to 6 months, depending on how quickly both parties provide the required financial information. See the child support calculator and guideline finder for jurisdiction-specific calculation sources and guidance.

How enforcement works

Income withholding is the default payment method in Arizona: employers are required to deduct the support amount directly from the paying parent's paycheck and send it to DCSS, reducing the risk of a parent falling into arrears. Family law courts must issue Income Withholding Orders sent directly to the employer. Beyond wage withholding, Arizona law authorizes suspension of a noncompliant parent's driver's, professional, and recreational licenses once arrears reach a certain threshold.

Common questions

Can I get a lower support amount by working fewer hours? Not automatically, Arizona's minimum wage presumption means a court can calculate support based on what you're capable of earning, not just what you currently report, if the reduction looks voluntary.

How long does a modification review take? Up to about 6 months, depending on how quickly both parents supply the necessary financial documentation, so start the process early if you anticipate needing a change.

What if my co-parent isn't paying? Contact DCSS, which handles enforcement in addition to applications, payments, and many modification requests.

Practical considerations

Because Arizona automatically reviews orders every two years regardless of whether either parent requests it, keep your financial documentation current so that review process moves efficiently rather than stalling for months, and consult a family law attorney if a bigger change (job loss, new custody schedule) happens between reviews. For the custody and parenting-time rules that feed directly into this calculation, see the Arizona custody guide.

Official Arizona resources

FAQ

Questions, answered

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Family law varies by individual circumstances and may change over time. Consult a qualified attorney or appropriate official resource for advice about your situation.