Pennsylvania Code
Title 231 - RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
Part I - GENERAL
Chapter 1910 - ACTIONS FOR SUPPORT
Rule 1910.16-1 - Support Obligation. Support Guidelines

Example 1. The parents have one child, who is in the custody of the maternal grandmother. Maternal grandmother initiates a support action against the parents. Mother's monthly net income is $3,000 and Father's monthly net income is $2,000 for a combined monthly net income of $5,000. For purposes of the child support calculation, maternal grandmother's income is irrelevant and not part of the calculation. The basic child support obligation for one child at a combined monthly net income of $5,000 is $993 per month. Mother's percentage share of the combined monthly net income is 60% ($3,000/$5,000) and Father's percentage share of the combined monthly net income is 40% ($2,000/$5,000). Mother's preliminary monthly share of the child support obligation is $596 ($993 x 60%) and Father's preliminary monthly share of the child support obligation is $397 ($993 x 40%). Maternal grandmother is the obligee with Mother and Father as separate obligors owing $596 and $397, respectively, to the maternal grandmother.

Example 2. The parents have three children and do not live in the same household. Mother has primary custody of two children and monthly net income of $2,500 per month. Father's monthly net income is $4,000. The parties' third child is in foster care placement. Pursuant to the schedule in Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16-3, the basic child support obligation for the two children with Mother is $1,733. As Father's income is 62% of the parties' combined monthly net income, Father's basic child support obligation to Mother is $1,074 per month. The guidelines assume that Mother will provide $659 per month in direct expenditures to the two children. The agency/obligee brings an action against each parent for the support of the child in placement. Father/obligor's monthly net income will be $2,926 for purposes of this calculation ($4,000 less $1,074 in support for the children with Mother). As the agency/obligee's income is zero, Father's support for the child in placement will be 100% of the basic child support obligation for one child at the $2,926 income level, or $674 per month. Mother/obligor's net income will be $1,841 for purposes of this calculation ($2,500 less $659 in direct support to the children in Mother's custody). Mother's support obligation will be 100% of the basic child support obligation for one child at that income level, or $423 per month.

Example 3. The parents have two children in placement. Father owes child support of $500 per month for two children of a former marriage. At the same income levels as in Example 2, Father's monthly net income for determining his obligation to the children in placement would be $3,500 ($4,000 less $500 support for two children of prior marriage). Father's obligation to the agency would be $1,205 per month (100% of the basic child support obligation for two children at the $3,500 per month income level). Mother's monthly net income would not be diminished as she owes no other child support. Mother would owe $877 for the children in placement (100% of the basic child support obligation for two children at the $2,500 income level).

Example 4. The parents have four children, two of whom are in placement. Mother's monthly net income is $4,000 and Father's is $3,000. The basic child support obligation for the two children in the home is $1,841, according to the schedule in Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16-3. As Mother's monthly net income is 57% of the parties' combined monthly net income, her share would be $1,049, and Father's 43% share would be $792. Mother's monthly net income for purposes of calculating support for the two children in placement would be $2,951 ($4,000 less $1,049). She would pay 100% of the basic child support obligation at that income level, or $1,026, for the children in placement. Father's monthly net income would be $2,208 ($3,000 less $792), and his obligation to the children in placement would be $772.