Child support on $50,000 a year in Alabama (4 children)
Alabama guidelines effective June 1, 2023. Alabama overview
If Parent A earns $50,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the children live mostly with Parent B (52 overnights a year with Parent A), Alabama's guideline amount is $1,065 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Across the table below it ranges from $643 paid by Parent B (Parent B earns $100,000, equal time) to $1,406 (Parent B has no income, Parent A has no overnights).
This is the guideline amount, not a court order.
Change the numbers
Guideline child support
Alabama · 4 children · Parent A $50000 per year · Parent B $40000 per year · children live mostly with Parent B
$1,065 a month
Parent A pays Parent B
- Parent A: 55.6% of combined income
- Parent B: 44.4%
How it adds up
- Combined income
- $7,500 a month
- Basic obligation
- $1,902 a month
- Parent A's share of income
- 56%
- Guideline amount
- $1,065 a month
See the worksheet for this example
Alabama uses the income shares model under Ala. R. Jud. Admin. 32 (Child Support Guidelines); Code of Ala. § 30-3-155. Official calculator: eforms.alacourt.gov. Child support agency: Alabama Department of Human Resources, Child Support Enforcement Division.
Estimate under Alabama's child support guidelines effective June 1, 2023. Verified against the official Alabama sources on October 7, 2026. Not legal advice. Courts can deviate from the guidelines. How we calculate →
By parenting time and the other parent's income
| Overnights | $0 | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $60,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $1,406 A→B | $1,186 A→B | $1,099 A→B | $1,065 A→B | $1,012 A→B | $950 A→B | $875 A→B | $832 A→B |
| 52 | $1,406 A→B | $1,186 A→B | $1,099 A→B | $1,065 A→B | $1,012 A→B | $950 A→B | $875 A→B | $832 A→B |
| 104 | $1,406 A→B | $1,186 A→B | $1,099 A→B | $1,065 A→B | $1,012 A→B | $950 A→B | $875 A→B | $832 A→B |
| 128 | $1,406 A→B | $1,186 A→B | $1,099 A→B | $1,065 A→B | $1,012 A→B | $950 A→B | $875 A→B | $832 A→B |
| 182 | $1,054 A→B | $526 A→B | $314 A→B | $171 A→B | $0 — | $158 B→A | $414 B→A | $643 B→A |
The Alabama worksheet for this example
| Line | Official label | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monthly Gross Income (Parent A)Parent A's monthly gross income | $4,166.67 a month |
| 1 | Monthly Gross Income (Parent B)Parent B's monthly gross income | $3,333.33 a month |
| 2 | Monthly Adjusted Gross Income (Parent A)Parent A's adjusted gross income | $4,166.67 a month |
| 2 | Monthly Adjusted Gross Income (Parent B)Parent B's adjusted gross income | $3,333.33 a month |
| 2 | Monthly Adjusted Gross Income (Combined)Combined adjusted gross income | $7,500.00 a month |
| 3 | Percentage Share of Income (Parent A)Parent A's income share | 56% |
| 3 | Percentage Share of Income (Parent B)Parent B's income share | 44% |
| 4 | Basic Child Support ObligationSchedule amount for both parents | $1,902.00 a month |
| 7 | Total Child-Support ObligationTotal obligation | $1,902.00 a month |
| 8 | Each Parent's Child Support Obligation (Parent A)Parent A's share of the total | $1,065.00 a month |
| 8 | Each Parent's Child Support Obligation (Parent B)Parent B's share of the total | $837.00 a month |
| 9 | Total Costs Paid (Parent A)Childcare and coverage Parent A pays | $0.00 a month |
| 9 | Total Costs Paid (Parent B)Childcare and coverage Parent B pays | $0.00 a month |
| 10 | Each Parent's Adjusted Child-Support Obligation (Parent A)Parent A's share after credits | $1,065.00 a month |
| 10 | Each Parent's Adjusted Child-Support Obligation (Parent B)Parent B's share after credits | $837.00 a month |
| 11 | Income Available After SSR (Parent A)Parent A's income above the self-support reserve | $3,185.67 a month |
| 11 | Income Available After SSR (Parent B)Parent B's income above the self-support reserve | $2,352.33 a month |
| 12 | Income Available for Support (Parent A)Parent A's ability-to-pay limit | $2,708.00 a month |
| 12 | Income Available for Support (Parent B)Parent B's ability-to-pay limit | $1,999.00 a month |
| 13 | Recommended Child-Support Order (Parent A)Parent A's guideline amount | $1,065.00 a month |
| 13 | Recommended Child-Support Order (Parent B)Parent B's guideline amount | $837.00 a month |
| 13 | Recommended Child-Support OrderGuideline amount | $1,065.00 a month |
With child care and health insurance
| Costs | Guideline amount |
|---|---|
| No add-ons | $1,065 a month A→B |
| Child care $500 a month | $1,345 a month A→B |
| Child care $1,000 a month | $1,625 a month A→B |
| Health insurance $150 a month | $1,149 a month A→B |
| Health insurance $300 a month | $1,233 a month A→B |
Work-related childcare and the children's health coverage are added to the basic obligation and divided by income share. The parent who pays them gets a credit.
How Alabama works it out
Alabama uses the income shares model: the schedule gives the basic child support obligation for the parents' combined monthly adjusted gross income, and each parent is responsible for their share.
Gross income from almost all sources counts, before taxes; the schedule already allows for income taxes. Means-tested benefits such as SSI and child support received for other children don't count. Alimony set in the same case isn't considered.
When the court orders shared physical custody about equally, the basic obligation is multiplied by 150% and each parent gets a credit of 50% of it; the parent with the higher net amount pays. Other parenting schedules are a reason a court may deviate, not part of the guideline amount.
Frequently asked questions
How much child support is paid on $50,000 in Alabama for 4 children?
If Parent A earns $50,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the children live mostly with Parent B (52 overnights a year with Parent A), Alabama's guideline amount is about $1,065 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
How much is that a week?
That is about $246 a week (the monthly amount × 12 ÷ 52).
What if the parents share time equally?
With about equal parenting time and the same incomes, the guideline amount is about $171 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
What if Parent B has no income?
If Parent B has no income and the children live mostly with Parent B, the guideline amount is about $1,406 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Official sources and verification
- Law: Ala. R. Jud. Admin. 32 (Child Support Guidelines); Code of Ala. § 30-3-155
- Alabama child support guidelines
- Form CS-42 Child Support Guidelines (Form CS-42-S for shared 50% physical custody)
- Official Alabama child support calculator
- Alabama Department of Human Resources, Child Support Enforcement Division
- Changing a Alabama child support order
Guidelines effective June 1, 2023. Verified against the official Alabama sources on October 7, 2026. How we calculate →