Child Support in Arizona

Key Takeaways

Arizona’s Income Shares Model Works in Your Favor: Unlike percentage-of-income states, Arizona considers both parents’ earnings and your parenting time, often resulting in higher support amounts for custodial mothers.
Recent 2022 Guidelines Increased Support Amounts: Arizona updated its support schedule in 2022, increasing basic obligations across all income levels – if your order predates this, you may qualify for an upward modification.
Parenting Time = Money: In Arizona, even small changes in overnight visits can significantly impact support calculations. Document your actual parenting schedule carefully.
DCSS is Your Power Tool: Arizona’s Division of Child Support Services offers some of the most aggressive enforcement in the nation, including property liens and professional license suspension – use them.
The $30,000 Rule: For combined parental incomes over $30,000 monthly, Arizona courts have broad discretion to award higher support based on your child’s actual needs and lifestyle.
Arizona Doesn’t Automatically Terminate: Unlike some states, Arizona requires you to file paperwork to stop wage garnishments when support ends – don’t assume it will happen automatically.
Interstate Enforcement Actually Works: Arizona’s participation in UIFSA means they can pursue deadbeat parents across state lines effectively, even garnishing wages in other states.
Two-Year Income Exchange Rule: Arizona orders typically require income disclosure every 24 months, giving you regular opportunities to seek modifications without proving major life changes.
Tax Benefits Can Be Split: Arizona’s 2022 guidelines specifically address dividing tax benefits proportionally by income – this could mean extra money in your pocket.
Special Needs = Extended Support: Arizona allows indefinite support for disabled adult children, providing long-term security other states don’t offer.

Bottom Line Up Front: Arizona uses an income shares model that considers both parents’ earnings, parenting time, and child-related expenses to calculate support. The average support order ranges from $300-700 monthly for one child, depending on income levels. Only 43.5% of custodial parents nationwide receive the full amount of child support due, making enforcement tools critical for single mothers seeking financial stability.

Understanding Child Support in Arizona

Child support represents your child’s legal right to financial support from both parents. In Arizona, both parents—whether married or not—are legally required to support their children financially until the child turns 18, or 19 if still in high school.

Who Can Apply: Any custodial parent caring for a child under 18 (or 19 if still in high school) can seek support from the non-custodial parent. This includes divorced mothers, never-married mothers, and mothers whose relationships have ended.

When Child Support Ends

Child support typically ends when a child reaches 18 years old. However, if the child is still in high school when they turn 18, child support continues until the child graduates from high school or turns 19 years old, whichever occurs first. Exceptions to these guidelines can exist for special needs children who are unable to support themselves due to a disability.

Important: Child support does not automatically terminate. You must file the proper paperwork to end wage garnishments and formal orders.

How Arizona Calculates Child Support

The Income Shares Model

Arizona follows the Income Shares Model. This model calculates child support payments based on both parents’ earning potential, rather than using a traditional proportionate payment system. The system estimates how much parents would spend on their children if the family was still living together, then divides that amount between parents based on their respective incomes.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Determine Each Parent’s “Child Support Income”

“Child Support Income” is now defined rather than Gross Income or Adjusted Gross Income. This should reduce confusion because Child Support Income is often different than the Adjusted Gross Income listed on a parent’s tax return.

Child Support Income includes:

Salaries and wages
Commissions and bonuses
Self-employment income
Social Security benefits (with limitations)
Unemployment benefits
Military pay
Rental income
Investment income

Allowable Deductions:

Child support paid for other children
Spousal maintenance (alimony) payments
Income taxes

Step 2: Find the Basic Support Obligation

Once you have both parents’ Child Support Income:

Add both incomes together to get the combined monthly income
Find this amount on Arizona’s Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations for the number of children
This gives you the basic child support obligation

Recent Changes: The guideline update includes changes to the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations. These obligations been increased across the board based on updated economic data. For example, the Basic Child Support Obligation for combined income of $10,000 per month was $1,181 for one child under the old guidelines and $1,274 under the new guidelines.

Step 3: Add Additional Expenses

The basic amount is increased by:

Work-related childcare costs (for parents to work or seek employment)
Health insurance premiums for the children (medical, dental, vision)
Educational expenses that are reasonable and necessary (if both parents agree or court orders)
Extraordinary expenses for special needs or gifted children

Step 4: Calculate Each Parent’s Share

Each parent contributes to child support based on their proportionate share of the combined income. The custodial parent’s share is presumed to be spent directly on the child.

Real-World Example

Let’s look at a concrete example:

Maria and David’s Situation:

Maria (custodial parent): $3,000/month income
David (non-custodial parent): $5,000/month income
One child, age 8
Combined income: $8,000/month
Childcare: $400/month
Health insurance: $150/month (paid by Maria)

Calculation:

Basic support obligation for $8,000 combined income, 1 child: approximately $900
Add childcare and health insurance: $900 + $400 + $150 = $1,450 total obligation
David’s share: $5,000 ÷ $8,000 = 62.5% of total obligation
David owes: $1,450 × 62.5% = $906/month
Minus credit for what Maria pays directly: $906 – $0 = $906/month final obligation

Parenting Time Adjustments

Child support is also adjusted pursuant to the parenting time that the paying party exercises. The more the parenting time, the higher the adjustment. If parents share equal parenting time (approximately 50/50), this can significantly reduce or even eliminate child support obligations.

Income Limits

The maximum combined income has also been increased from $20,000 per month to $30,000 per month. For incomes above $30,000 monthly, courts determine support based on the child’s best interests rather than strict guidelines.

How to Apply for Child Support

Through Arizona’s Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)

The most effective route is through the state’s child support enforcement program:

Arizona Department of Economic Security
Division of Child Support Services
P.O. Box 40458
Phoenix, AZ 85067
Customer Service: 602-252-4045
Toll-Free: 1-800-882-4151
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Mountain Time

Services Provided by DCSS:

Locating absent parents
Establishing paternity through DNA testing
Obtaining child support orders
Enforcing existing orders
Collecting and distributing payments
Modifying support orders

Application Process:

Complete application forms (available online or at DCSS offices)
Provide required documentation
Pay nominal fee (maximum $25 annually – waived for TANF recipients)
DCSS locates the other parent if necessary
Establish paternity if needed
Court hearing to establish support order

Required Documentation:

Birth certificates for all children
Social Security cards for all parties
Employment information for both parents
Financial records (pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements)
Any existing court orders
Medical insurance information

Filing Independently Through the Courts

You can also file directly with the Superior Court in your county. This requires:

Completing Arizona’s child support guidelines worksheets
Filing financial affidavits
Attending court hearings
Legal representation (highly recommended)

Payment Methods and Collections

Payment Processing

All child support payments in Arizona are processed through the state’s centralized system. Arizona’s child support guidelines use income withholding as the default method of child support payment. Under this system, employers must deduct the child support payment amount from the parent’s paycheck and send it to the DCSS.

Payment Options for Parents Paying Support

Automatic Wage Withholding: Most common method where employers automatically deduct support from paychecks

Self-Pay Options:

Online payments through the Arizona Child Support Portal
MoneyGram locations
Electronic transfers
Money orders (mailed to processing center)

Receiving Payments

Arizona Electronic Payment Card (EPC): Free debit card that receives support payments automatically. Can be used at ATMs worldwide and for purchases anywhere debit cards are accepted.

Direct Deposit: Payments deposited directly into your bank account (recommended for faster access to funds).

Enforcement When Payments Stop

Arizona takes child support enforcement seriously, with multiple tools to collect unpaid support:

Automatic Enforcement Actions

Income Withholding Orders: Employers must deduct the child support payment amount from the parent’s paycheck and send it to the DCSS.

Tax Refund Intercepts: Seizure (intercept) of obligor’s Federal and State income tax refunds

Bank Account Levies: Seizure of banking accounts

Credit Bureau Reporting: Unpaid support reported to major credit agencies, damaging credit scores

Additional Enforcement Tools

License Suspension: Suspension or revocation of professional or occupational licenses (such as a contractor’s licenses), driver’s licenses, hunting/fishing licenses

Property Liens: Placing a lien for unpaid child support on real property, including homes and other real estate

Passport Denial: Reporting name of the obligor to the U.S. Secretary of State for passport denial

Unemployment Benefit Intercepts: Up to 50% of unemployment benefits can be garnished for child support

Criminal Prosecution: Willful non-payment can result in criminal charges and jail time

Interstate Enforcement

Arizona initiates cases to the child support agencies of other states to be enforced in the court of that state when non-custodial parents live outside Arizona.

Modifying Child Support Orders

Life circumstances change, and Arizona allows for modifications when warranted:

When You Can Request Modification

At least a 15% change in their income
Significant change in parenting time
Changes in childcare or health insurance costs
Child’s needs change significantly

Automatic Review Process

The Child Support Order generally requires the parents to exchange income information (including tax returns) every 24 months so that the parents can calculate whether a modification of child support is warranted.

How to Request Modification

File petition with the court that issued the original order
Complete new financial worksheets
Provide updated documentation
Attend court hearing
Receive modified order

Critical: Modifications typically only apply from the date you file forward, not retroactively.

Special Situations

Establishing Paternity

Before child support can be ordered, the Court must determine who the legal parents are. This can happen through:

Voluntary Acknowledgment: Both parents sign acknowledgment at hospital or later
Court Determination: Through DNA testing or court admission
Default: If alleged father doesn’t respond to court proceedings

Self-Employed Parents

For parents with irregular income:

Courts may average income over multiple years
May require quarterly income reviews
Courts can base support on earning capacity, not just actual income if parent is deliberately underemployed

Shared Parenting Time

If the parents share equal parenting time, the largest adjustment applies. In such event, there is merely an equalization of the child support obligations between the two parties based upon their incomes which generally results in an even lower child support obligation (or no child support obligation if the parties’ incomes and child expenses are substantially equal).

Statistics and Reality for Arizona Single Mothers

Understanding the broader context helps put your situation in perspective:

National Child Support Statistics

Approximately two-thirds (69.3 percent) of custodial parents who were due child support received some payments from noncustodial parents, while only 43.5 percent reported receiving the full amount of child support due.

The poverty rate of custodial-mother families in 2015 (29.2 percent) was significantly higher than the poverty rate for custodial-father families (16.7 percent).

Income Disparities

The average income of a father, who is not receiving support payments is $52,000 while a mother in the same circumstance has an income of $26,000. That is half the amount. Another alarming statistic is that 32% of single mothers with children live below the poverty line, but for fathers in the same circumstance it is 16%, again half.

Child Support Collection Rates

About 60 percent of the child support due in 2015 was reported as received, averaging $3,447 per year per custodial parent who was due support.

Custodial fathers were more likely to never receive a single child support payment in 2017 (38% versus 29% for custodial mothers).

Real-World Examples

Success Story: Jennifer from Phoenix

Jennifer, a single mother of two, struggled with sporadic support payments from her ex-husband who kept changing jobs. After enrolling with DCSS, they established automatic wage withholding and also placed liens on his property. Within six months, she was receiving consistent monthly payments of $850, allowing her to move to a better school district.

Challenge Overcome: Rosa’s Case

Rosa’s ex-boyfriend moved to California to avoid paying support for their daughter. Using interstate enforcement tools, Arizona DCSS worked with California authorities to garnish his wages there. The process took eight months but resulted in both current support and $4,200 in back support being collected.

Modification Example: Sandra’s Situation

When Sandra lost her job due to the pandemic, her ex-husband filed to reduce support from $650 to $200 monthly, claiming hardship. The court reviewed both parents’ situations and temporarily reduced the order to $475, with automatic review scheduled when Sandra found new employment.

Additional Resources for Single Mothers

Financial Assistance Programs

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS): Arizona’s Medicaid program providing health coverage for low-income families

Arizona Child Care Assistance: Sliding-scale child care subsidies for working parents

WIC Program: Nutrition assistance for pregnant women, infants, and children under 5

SNAP Benefits: Food assistance for qualifying families

Legal Resources

Arizona Legal Aid – Free legal services for qualifying low-income individuals
Arizona Court Self-Help Centers – Free assistance with court forms and procedures
Local bar association referral services
Law school clinics

Support Services

Arizona Department of Economic Security – Multiple family support programs
Local domestic violence resources
Single parent support groups
Financial counseling services

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to get a child support order in Arizona?

A: If paternity is established and both parents cooperate, orders can be entered within 30-60 days. Contested cases typically take 3-4 months, longer if the other parent is difficult to locate or disputes paternity.

Q: Can I get back support for time before I filed?

A: Yes, Arizona courts can order retroactive support, typically back to the date you filed your petition. In some cases, support can be ordered from the child’s birth if good cause is shown for the delay in filing.

Q: What if the father isn’t on the birth certificate?

A: You’ll need to establish paternity first. DCSS can help with this process at no cost through DNA testing or voluntary acknowledgment.

Q: Can child support be taken from unemployment benefits?

A: Yes, Arizona can garnish up to 50% of unemployment compensation for child support.

Q: What happens if my ex moves to another state?

A: Arizona participates in interstate enforcement programs. Your existing order remains valid, and Arizona can work with the other state to enforce collection.

Q: Can I refuse visitation if he doesn’t pay support?

A: No. Child support and visitation are separate legal issues. Denying court-ordered visitation because of unpaid support can result in you being held in contempt of court.

Q: Do I pay taxes on child support received?

A: No, child support is not taxable income to you. The paying parent also cannot deduct it from their taxes.

Q: What if we both have equal parenting time?

A: Even with 50/50 custody, the parent with higher income typically still pays some support to the lower-earning parent, though the amount is significantly reduced from standard calculations.

Q: Can child support cover college expenses?

A: Arizona’s basic child support guidelines end at 18 (or 19 if still in high school). However, parents can agree to college support provisions, and courts may order it in some circumstances involving extraordinary needs.

Q: What if he claims he can’t afford the ordered amount?

A: The paying parent must formally petition the court for a modification and prove their financial circumstances have changed significantly. Claims of inability to pay don’t automatically reduce the obligation.

Q: How often can I request modifications?

A: Arizona allows modifications when there’s been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, typically defined as at least a 15% change in income. There’s no specific time limit, but frequent frivolous requests may be denied.

Q: What if he gets remarried or has other children?

A: A new spouse’s income generally doesn’t affect child support calculations. Additional children could potentially justify a modification, but existing support obligations typically take priority.

Q: Can DCSS help if I already have a private order?

A: Yes, DCSS can help enforce any valid child support order, even if it was originally obtained through private attorneys.

Q: What happens to unpaid support when my child turns 18?

A: Back support (arrearages) doesn’t disappear when the child emancipates. The debt remains until paid in full, with interest.

Q: Can child support be modified during an appeal?

A: Child support and spousal maintenance do not get suspended because of an appeal. You have an ongoing obligation to pay those amounts. If the appeal changes the order, you will receive a credit for any amount you overpaid.

This guide provides general information about Arizona child support law. Every situation is unique, and laws can change. For specific legal advice about your case, consult with a qualified family law attorney or contact the Arizona Division of Child Support Services.

Emergency Resources:

Arizona Division of Child Support Services: 1-800-882-4151
Arizona Legal Aid: (602) 258-3434
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Arizona Department of Economic Security: (602) 542-4296

Office Locations: DCSS maintains 19 offices statewide. Find your local office at azcourthelp.org/dcss

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