Ohio Child Support Lawyers
Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated May 27, 2026
Help establishing, modifying, or enforcing Ohio child support orders under the 2024 Income Shares Model. Statewide representation.
How Ohio Calculates Child Support
Ohio uses an Income Shares Model, updated with 2024 figures, which estimates what parents would have spent on a child if the household had stayed intact and divides that amount in proportion to each parent's income. The worksheet factors in both parents' gross incomes, the number of children, health insurance and childcare costs, and parenting-time adjustments.
What Counts as Income
Income includes wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, self-employment earnings, and many benefits. Courts can also impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. Accurate financial disclosure is essential to a fair order.
Modifying a Child Support Order
Either parent can request a review and modification when there is a substantial change in circumstances — commonly a roughly 10% change in the calculated amount, a job loss, or a change in custody or childcare costs. Support generally continues until the child turns 18, or longer if the child is still in high school or has special needs.
Enforcing Support
Ohio enforces child support through income withholding, tax-refund interception, license suspension, credit reporting, and contempt proceedings. We help parents establish, modify, and enforce orders, and respond to enforcement actions.
Estimate Your Support
Try our Ohio Child Support Calculator for an estimate based on the 2024 Income Shares Model, then talk with us about your specific situation.
Ohio Child Support by the Numbers
- 2024 Year Ohio's updated Income Shares support schedule took effect Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3119.021
- 10% Change in the calculated amount that justifies a modification Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3119.79
- 3 years How often either parent can request an administrative review Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3119.60
- Age 18 When support normally ends — or high-school graduation, whichever is later Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3119.86
What Counts in an Ohio Child Support Calculation
| What the worksheet counts | Counts toward support? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Both parents' gross income | Yes | Wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, and self-employment earnings |
| Health insurance for the children | Yes | Credited to the parent who pays the premium |
| Work-related childcare | Yes | Daycare and after-school costs are added in |
| Parenting time | Yes | Adjustments apply for substantial or equal parenting time |
| Imputed income | Sometimes | Added when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed |
| A new spouse's income | No | Only the two parents' incomes are counted |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is child support calculated in Ohio?
- Ohio uses the Income Shares Model, updated with 2024 figures. It combines both parents' gross incomes, the number of children, health insurance, and childcare costs, then allocates support in proportion to each parent's share of income.
- When can child support be modified in Ohio?
- Support can be reviewed and modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances — often a roughly 10% change in the calculated amount, a significant income change, or a change in custody or childcare costs.
- How long does child support last in Ohio?
- Child support generally continues until the child turns 18, or until graduation if the child is still attending high school. Support may continue longer for a child with a disability.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
