In Pennsylvania, child support is determined using a set of calculations based on parents’ combined net monthly income. The formulas that determine these payments are reviewed and updated every four years to ensure that support amounts remain current as a result of a variety of economic factors, such as inflation, the costs of raising children, wage increases, etc.
This next set of updates is scheduled to take effect beginning on January 1, 2026.
Here is what you need to know:
The heart of the update is a revision to the “basic child support schedule,” the chart that links a family’s combined net monthly income and number of children to a presumptive monthly child support amount. Under the new 2026 schedule, support amounts will generally increase across all income levels. For example, pursuant to the 2022 support guidelines, a family with a combined net income of $5,000 and two children had a basic child support obligation of $1,484 per month. Beginning in 2026, this same family will have a basic child support obligation of $1,629 per month.
One often overlooked aspect of support is the “self-support reserve,” or the minimum amount a paying parent must be allowed to keep for their own basic needs. Under this update, this reserve amount increases from $1,063 per month to $1,255 per month.
For high-income cases – where combined net monthly income exceeds $30,000 – the basic methodology remains (a baseline “minimum basic obligation” plus a percentage of income above the threshold), the “base amounts” and multipliers have adjusted.
Effective July 1, 2025, the definition of “unreimbursed medical expenses” was also updated to automatically include psychiatric and psychological expenses, where before these expenses could only be reimbursed through agreement of the parties or a judge’s determination that the services were reasonably necessary.
The general calculation method remains the same – combining both parents’ net monthly incomes and number of children to find the base support obligation, then allocating between the parties in proportion to income share.
Additional adjustments for parenting time, additional expenses (child health insurance, medical expenses, etc.) remain part of the equation.
The court retains discretion to deviate from guideline-calculated support when justified, such as when there are special needs or extraordinary expenses.
Even though the guidelines change on January 1, 2026, this does not mean that existing child support orders automatically adjust. If either parent wishes to adopt the new schedule, they must file a petition with the court to trigger a modification.
If you’re a parent paying or receiving child support — or expect to be soon — now is a great time to review your finances, project what the new schedule could mean for you, and (if warranted) consider filing for a modification. For further guidance or information on the topic, please set up a consultation with a member of our family law team.
The information contained in this publication should not be construed as legal advice, is not a substitute for legal counsel, and should not be relied on as such. For legal advice or answers to specific questions, please contact one of our attorneys.
Hayley is a Doylestown-based family law attorney, who handles all aspects of domestic relations matters, including divorce, custody and visitation, child support, property division, protection from abuse, as well as family law...
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