Massachusetts: Sole Physical Custody Child Support Calculator
In traditional sole custody arrangements where one parent has primary physical custody (typically 80% or more of annual overnights) and the other exercises standard visitation, standard statutory economic tables and percentage guidelines govern.
Standard sole custody schedule applies when the non-custodial parent has less than 33% (121 overnights) parenting time.
Statutory Case Parameters
Massachusetts (MA)Consult a Local Family Law Attorney to Review Deviation Factors
Judges in Massachusetts routinely depart from statutory guideline math when specific deviation factors exist (unusual travel costs for visitation, private school tuition, extraordinary medical needs, or dual-household expenses).
- ■Evaluate discretionary deviation thresholds for your specific judge
- ■Verify allowable self-employment deductions & net resource offsets
- ■Draft enforceable court-ready stipulations without trial delay
Confidential inquiry. No attorney-client relationship is formed until a formal retainer agreement is executed with licensed counsel.
Key Legal Principles for Sole Custody Guidelines in Massachusetts
Statutory Framework & Court Standards
- The non-custodial parent (obligor) is responsible for their full statutory share or percentage without parenting-time offsets.
- Self-Support Reserve (SSR) protections prevent child support orders from pushing the payor below the federal or state poverty threshold.
- Mandatory deductions (FICA, mandatory retirement, union dues, prior child support orders) reduce gross income before calculating obligation.
- Direct payments (buying clothes, groceries during visitation) do not count toward official court-ordered child support.
Filing & Required Court Attachments
When requesting child support orders under Sole Custody Guidelines, judges in the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Department require formal submission of official financial statements and guideline calculation schedules.