In South Carolina the amount of child support a non-custodial parent is required to pay is determined by the South Carolina Child Support Guidelines.  These guidelines use a mathematical formula which is used to determine the amount of support which is needed to care for a child.  Generally, the guidelines add the gross monthly income (before taxes are taken out) of the mother and father to reach a combined gross monthly income. 

The guidelines have established an amount of support for the number of children to be supported based on the combined gross income of the parents.  The amount of support from each parent is then determined based on the percentage each parent’s gross income makes up of the combined gross income.  (Example: Father, non-custodial parent, $2000.00 gross monthly income + Mother $1,500.00 gross monthly income equal a combined gross income of $3,500.00). 

The Guidelines dictate that the amount of support necessary for one(1) child whose parents have a combined monthly gross income of $3,500.00 is $567.00.  The non-custodial parent or father in this example would pay $324.00 in monthly child support which is 57% of $567.00, because his contribution of $2,000.00 is 57% of the total combined gross of $3,500.00.  This is how the amount of child support to be paid by the non-custodial parent is calculated.  Factors which could cause the amount of child support to increase or decrease include:

• a shared custody arrangement
• other court ordered child support or alimony being paid
• other minor children (natural or adopted) living in the home
• parent provided health insurance
• daycare expenses or extraordinary medical expenses