What is the new law on child support in Arkansas?

Asked by: Trevion Fahey  |  Last update: December 10, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (12 votes)

2020 Arkansas revised its monthly Family Support Chart to use an Income Shares Model. Under this new model, child support is determined based on the combined gross income of both parents minus any permissible deductions. Gross income is the total income earned before any taxes or other deductions are made.

What is the minimum child support in Arkansas?

Per the new Monthly Family Support Chart, the parents' total basic support obligation is $396, with no deductions or deviations. Each parent's pro rata obligation is a proportional share of the total support obligation and is calculated as a percentage of their combined income.

How do I get out of paying child support in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, the duty to pay child support for a minor child ends automatically when a child turns 18 unless the child is still attending high school. If the child is attending high school, then the child support will continue through the end of the school year or graduation, or the child turns 19, whichever is sooner.

What are the new child custody laws in Arkansas?

In 2021, Arkansas enacted a law that made joint custody the default option for all new child custody orders. Joint custody means the approximate and reasonable equal division of time with the child by both parents.

How does Arkansas calculate child support?

In Arkansas, child support is calculated using a statewide formula that takes into account each parent's income and the amount of time each parent spends with the child (known as the “parenting time percentage”). The formula also takes into account any special needs or expenses the child may have.

Steps to Modify Child Support in Arkansas

31 related questions found

Is child support based on gross or net income in Arkansas?

2020 Arkansas revised its monthly Family Support Chart to use an Income Shares Model. Under this new model, child support is determined based on the combined gross income of both parents minus any permissible deductions. Gross income is the total income earned before any taxes or other deductions are made.

Is there a cap on child support in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, there is no specific cap on child support. Instead, child support is calculated based on a number of factors, including the income of both parents, the number of children involved, and the amount of time each parent spends with the children.

What is the new custody rule?

Recent amendments to the custody rules revised the definition of custody. Custody now includes instances where an adviser's related person has custody of client assets in connection with their advisory services.

At what age in Arkansas can a child decide which parent to live with?

In Arkansas, there is no specific age when a child can decide who he or she wants to live with.

What is the 3 3 4 4 custody schedule?

3-3-4-4 Day Rotation

A rotation of three days with one parent, three days with the other parent, four days with one parent, then four days with the other parent.

Can child support be waived in Arkansas?

Parents can't waive their child's right to child support. How Is Child Support Paid and Received in Arkansas?

How much can child support take from your check?

The amount that can be withheld from your wages is limited by the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act. Here are the limits: 50 percent of disposable income if an obligated parent has a second family. 60 percent if there is no second family.

How long does a father have to be absent to lose his rights in Arkansas?

The child has lived outside the home of the parent for a period of 12 months, and the parent has willfully failed to provide significant material support in accordance with the parent's means or to maintain meaningful contact with the child.

Do you have to pay child support if you have 50 50 custody in Arkansas?

To be clear, the Arkansas child support formula remains consistent whether there be a sole physical custody arrangement or a joint physical custody arrangement in place. Arkansas differs from many other states in the way that the state does not give any automatic parenting time credit to reduce a child support amount.

Can you get child support if the father doesn't have a job?

If the father of a child has no job and should be paying child support, the court will calculate the father's earning potential. They'll look at his work experience and determine the average salary he could expect to make if he got a job in a field where he has experience.

How far behind in child support before a warrant is issued in Arkansas?

the enforcement case has been open with OCSE for at least the preceding 12 months; and. more than $10,000 in child support is owed and remains unpaid; and. there are no regular child support payments made within the last 180 days; and.

Can a child refuse to see a parent in Arkansas?

Can My Child Refuse to Visit? In most cases, no. There is no specific age in Arkansas when a child can refuse to visit with a non-custodial parent.

Can a 13 year old decide who they want to live with?

In California, children cannot choose where to live until they are 18 years old, but their preferences may be taken into account in custody decisions. If a child is 14 years or older, the court must listen to their opinion regarding where they would like to live unless it is deemed not in their best interest.

Does being married help in a custody case?

While the act of getting married does not automatically trigger any changes to your custodial arrangements, parenting time, or child support obligations, it can indirectly impact all those things.

How often do mothers win custody?

In fact, on the national average, a female parent is granted around 65% of custody time, whereas a male parent receives around 35%. Blogs covered in this blog: Numerous States award shared custody, with both female and male parents each granted a full 50% of the time with their children.

What does 30% custody look like?

In the every-weekend custody schedule, the child will spend every weekend with the co-parent with 30% custody. Then, they will spend the school week with the other co-parent. Co-parents typically keep Fridays and Sunday afternoons as exchange days. This schedule is the most common variation of the 5-2 split.

What is the final custody rule?

The rule requires advisers that have custody of client securities or funds to implement a set of controls designed to protect those client assets from being lost, misused, misappropriated or subject to the advisers' financial reverses.

How often is child support reviewed in Arkansas?

Generally, child support obligations may be reviewed and adjusted, if appropriate, once every 36 months at the request of either parent.

What is the highest child support state?

In 2019, a study was conducted that simulated the theoretical payment for a hypothetical family with two children. The state with the highest median child support payment was Massachusetts, with a median payment of $1,187 per month.

Does child support go down if the father has another baby in Arkansas?

Divorced parents have the right to remarry and have more children. However, if you have additional children, you generally won't be able to use that fact to lower your child support obligation. Having more children means you are voluntarily taking on the risk of more financial obligations.