Alaska Child Support Calculator: Understanding child support in Alaska can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re going through a separation, divorce, or custody change. That’s where the Alaska Child Support Calculator becomes a game-changer. But how does it work? What changed in 2025? What if you have shared custody? Or a special income situation?
In this detailed FAQ guide, I’ll answer 20 of the most common, real-life questions about using the child support calculator in Alaska. Whether you’re paying, receiving, or just exploring—this guide will make the laws clear, simple, and easy to understand.
20 Most Asked Questions About the Alaska Child Support Calculator (2025 Edition)
1. What Is the Alaska Child Support Calculator?
The Alaska Child Support Calculator is a free online tool that helps estimate how much one parent may owe the other based on Alaska’s Civil Rule 90.3, the rule that governs child support.
It factors in:
- Gross income
- Number of children
- Custody arrangement (primary, shared, or hybrid)
- Health insurance and daycare costs
It’s a great first step before court or mediation, though the final number is always court-approved.
2. How Is Child Support Calculated in Alaska in 2025?
In Alaska, child support follows Civil Rule 90.3, updated most recently in 2023 and re-affirmed in 2025. The calculation depends heavily on custody type:
- Primary custody (one parent has the child over 70% of the time): The non-custodial parent pays a percentage of their adjusted annual income.
- 1 child = 20%
- 2 children = 27%
- 3 children = 33%, then +3% for each additional child
- Shared custody (each parent has the child at least 30% of the time): The formula becomes more complex, factoring in both incomes and time spent with the child.
3. What Is “Adjusted Income” in Alaska Child Support?
Adjusted income is gross annual income minus allowable deductions, which include:
- Federal income tax
- Social Security or Medicare tax
- Union dues
- Retirement contributions (mandatory)
- Health insurance premiums for the child
What’s left is used in the calculation.
4. Does the Calculator Work for Shared Custody Cases?
Yes, and this is where it gets interesting.
In shared custody cases, the Alaska Child Support Calculator uses a cross-calculation formula:
- Each parent’s adjusted income is used to calculate what they would pay the other.
- The support amounts are offset, and the parent with the higher obligation pays the difference.
The more overnights each parent has, the less they may owe.
5. Where Can I Access the Official Alaska Child Support Calculator?
You can use:
- 📍 Alaska Department of Law – Child Support Services Division
- 📍 Local court websites
- 📍 Law firm websites (some offer easier-to-use tools)
Make sure any calculator you use is updated for 2025 and uses Civil Rule 90.3 correctly.
6. What’s the Difference Between Primary and Shared Custody in Alaska?
- Primary Physical Custody: One parent has the child more than 70% of the year (255+ overnights)
- Shared Custody: Each parent has the child at least 30% (110+ overnights)
Why does this matter? Because support payments drop significantly in shared custody scenarios due to time sharing.
7. What Income Is Counted in Alaska Child Support Calculations?
Alaska uses a broad definition of income, including:
- Wages, salary, tips
- Bonuses and commissions
- Dividends and interest
- Rental income
- Unemployment benefits
- Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)
- Self-employment income
- Military benefits
The calculator adds all gross income before deductions.
8. Are Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends (PFDs) Counted?
Yes, absolutely.
The PFD is considered income in Alaska child support calculations. Even though it’s a one-time annual payment, it must be included in your annual gross income.
9. Can Parents Deviate from the Calculator’s Result?
Yes, but the court must approve any deviation.
Parents can agree to a higher or lower support amount, but they must justify the deviation as being in the best interests of the child.
The judge will review:
- Income inequality
- Special needs
- Educational or medical expenses
- Travel costs for visitation
10. What If a Parent Quits Their Job to Avoid Child Support?
If the court finds that a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, it can impute income—meaning the judge assigns income based on:
- Education
- Job history
- Local job market
You can’t just stop working to dodge responsibility in Alaska.
11. What If I’m Self-Employed?
Self-employed parents still must calculate and report gross receipts minus necessary business expenses.
Be prepared to provide:
- Profit/loss statements
- Tax returns
- Business records
The court may dig deeper if income seems underreported.
12. How Are Medical and Childcare Expenses Handled?
These are add-ons, and the court usually divides them proportionally based on income.
If Parent A earns 60% of the combined income and Parent B earns 40%, they will typically split costs 60/40.
Health insurance premiums for the child are considered a deduction before the base support is calculated.
13. Can Child Support Be Modified in Alaska?
Yes. You can request a modification if:
- It’s been at least 3 years since the last order
- There’s a 15% or more change in income
- Custody arrangements have changed
- The child’s needs (education, medical) have significantly changed
You can file with CSSD or go through court.
14. Does Child Support End Automatically at Age 18?
Not always.
In Alaska, child support usually ends when the child turns 18, unless:
- The child is still in high school full-time, in which case it continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first
- The court order specifies a different termination date
15. Can You Be Jailed for Not Paying Child Support in Alaska?
Yes, it’s possible.
Failure to pay can result in:
- Wage garnishment
- Driver’s license suspension
- Passport denial
- Bank account seizure
- Jail time for contempt of court (as a last resort)
The Alaska Child Support Services Division (CSSD) actively enforces payment.
16. What If I Have Children from Another Relationship?
If you’re already paying court-ordered support for another child, you may get a deduction before calculating new support.
However, voluntary or informal payments without a legal order won’t count. Only official, documented support obligations are factored in.
17. Is There a Minimum or Maximum Child Support in Alaska?
There’s no official minimum, but if a parent has very low income, support can be reduced to around $50/month or even suspended.
For high-income earners, support caps may apply unless the court finds special circumstances (e.g., a child with disabilities or elite education costs).
18. What If My Ex Lives Outside of Alaska?
Child support is enforceable across state lines under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA).
CSSD can:
- Garnish wages in other states
- Intercept federal tax refunds
- Work with other states’ agencies to collect overdue payments
The calculator still applies Alaska law if the case is filed in Alaska.
19. Is the Alaska Child Support Calculator Legally Binding?
No—it’s just an estimate.
While it closely follows the official formula, the final decision is made by a family court judge who may adjust the amount based on evidence, fairness, or best interest of the child.
20. Should I Use the Calculator Before Filing or Going to Court?
Absolutely, yes. Here’s why:
- It gives you a realistic idea of what to expect
- It helps with mediation or settlement
- It prepares you for court discussions
- It prevents surprises
Using the calculator before filing can save you time, money, and headaches.
📝 Final Words: Alaska’s Child Support Calculator Is a Must-Have Tool
The Alaska Child Support Calculator simplifies what can feel like an emotionally and financially complicated journey. It doesn’t replace a lawyer or judge, but it helps you prepare, stay informed, and plan ahead.
Whether you’re a parent seeking fairness, or simply trying to understand your rights and responsibilities—this tool is your starting point.