Alabama calculates child support under Rule 32 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, using an income-shares model built around the CS-42 worksheet family. The rule sets a $981 self-support reserve for the paying parent and a $50 monthly floor below which an order generally won’t go. Parents who split parenting time close to evenly can instead use the CS-42-S worksheet, and a separate credit exists for Social Security, VA, or railroad benefits the children already receive on the paying parent’s record.
Key facts
| Model | Income shares — Rule 32, Ala. R. Jud. Admin. (amended eff. 2023-06-01) |
|---|---|
| Worksheets | CS-42 (standard) and CS-42-S (50/50 shared custody) |
| Self-support reserve | $981/month |
| Minimum order | $50/month |
| Schedule | Complete 596-row table (rev. 5-1-2022) |
Official source: https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/ja32.pdf
Custody arrangements covered
- Standard (one parent has the children the clear majority of the time) — CS-42 worksheet
- 50/50 shared custody — CS-42-S worksheet
- Credit available for the children’s own Social Security, VA, or railroad benefits under Rule 32(B)(9)
Frequently asked questions
What guideline does Alabama use for child support?
Rule 32 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, most recently amended effective June 1, 2023. It’s an income-shares model with a published 596-row schedule (revised May 1, 2022) run through the CS-42 worksheet.
Is there a minimum child support amount in Alabama?
Yes — Rule 32 sets a $50/month minimum order, and a $981/month self-support reserve is protected for the paying parent before support is calculated on the remainder.
How does 50/50 custody change the Alabama calculation?
Parents who share parenting time close to evenly use the CS-42-S worksheet instead of the standard CS-42 form, which applies a different formula for that arrangement.
Will an Alabama judge always order the exact calculated amount?
The Rule 32 figure is a presumptive amount, not a mandatory one — a judge can deviate from it, and this calculator produces an estimate only, not legal advice.
Update history
- — Added the Rule 32(B)(9) credit for Social Security, VA, or railroad benefits paid to the children on the paying parent's record.
- — Alabama went live under Rule 32 (Ala. R. Jud. Admin., amended effective 2023-06-01), with the full CS-42 schedule, a $981 self-support reserve, a $50 minimum order, and the 50/50 shared-custody worksheet. Verified against the Administrative Office of Courts’ own worked example.