Child Support in Pennsylvania
State-specific overview · Family Law
Pennsylvania uses income shares model; support ends at age 18 unless the child is still in secondary school.
How Pennsylvania treats Child Support
Pennsylvania calculates child support by combining both parents' net incomes and applying guideline percentages. Support continues past age 18 if the child remains a full-time secondary school student, up to age 19. The court considers both parents' income, custody arrangements, and other children in the household. Deviations from guidelines are permitted if the court finds them unjust or inappropriate.
The general definition of Child Support
Court-ordered payments from one parent to the other for a child's living expenses.
Child support is money that a court requires one parent to pay to the other parent (or guardian) to help cover the child's expenses like food, housing, education, and healthcare. The amount is usually calculated using state guidelines that consider both parents' incomes, the number of children, and custody arrangements. Child support continues until the child reaches the age of majority, typically 18 or 21 depending on the state. It's a legal obligation separate from custody decisions.
Read the full Child Support entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania.