Alaska Child Support

Alaska child support laws allow parents and the courts to provide for the financial support of minor children. The Alaska child support calculator helps the courts figure out how much child support is appropriate in any specific situation.

In Alaska, child support awards are governed by Rule 90.3. This is also known as the Alaska Child Support Guidelines. Under these guidelines, child support is calculated as an amount equal to the annual income of the non-custodial parent multiplied by the following:

• 20% for one child
• 27% for two children
• 33% for three children
• An extra 3% for each additional child beyond three children

Under the Alaska child support guidelines, the court will look at both parents’ “adjusted annual income”. The “adjusted annual income” is defined as the parent’s total income from every source minus the following:

• Federal, state and local income tax
• Medicare tax
• Social Security tax or the equivalent mandatory contributions to a retirement or pension plan
• Mandatory union dues
• Child support and alimony obligations from previous relationships which are ordered by the court
• Child support for children from previous relationships living with the parent, calculated by using the formula provided by this rule
• Work-related child care expenses for the children

Before the Alaskan court will calculate your child support payments, the court must examine important financial documents gathered by you and the other parent. Be certain to carefully review the following information before going to court in a child support matter:

• Gross income of both parents
• Childcare costs
• Child support for children of other relationships (court-ordered support)
• Health insurance and medical costs
• Spousal support paid or received from a previous relationship
• Extra education costs
• Extraordinary medical costs

The child support agency or the courts can modify the order if the noncustodial parent’s income has increased or decreased enough to cause a “substantial change”. Usually, a “substantial change” means that there is more than a 15% change in income.

If there is a change in custody, unexpected or additional medical or educational needs, then the court will likely grant a modification and change the original child support order because these events amount to a “substantial change” in circumstances.

Your request for a modification must be in writing and state the specific reasons for the modification. If Child Support Services decides that a modification is appropriate, then the amount of the child support obligation could go up or the amount could go down.

There are also methods for reducing your child support payments. However, be careful to always be honest and candid with the court. Never lie to the court. Never doctor documents. Never hide your assets. Never exaggerate your financial situation.

The same advice above applies when you are requesting an increase in child support payment. Always be honest about your finances and the needs of your child.

If you wish to request a modification in child support, you may contact the Alaskan Child Support Services Division and they will help you review the situation. You can call the Alaskan Child Support Services Division at (907) 269-6900 in Anchorage or out of state or (800) 478-3300.

If the Alaskan Child Support Services Division review shows that a modification of the original child support order is appropriate, they will send your case to the Department of Law. The Department of Law will then take your child support modification case to court.

However, if you want to file the motion for modification of child support in court yourself, you may get a Pro Se packet from any courthouse or Child Support Services Division office.

Or, if you live in Anchorage, you may call the Alaska Court System Family Law Self-Help Center directly at (907) 264-0851. The Alaska Court System Family Law Self-Help Center can help you understand how the laws will apply to your particular situation.

Your Alaska child support order will terminate when the child:

• Reaches the age of 18 and graduates from high school
• Has a change in legal custody
• Is emancipated by court order
• Enlists in the armed services
• Gets married
• Dies

Child support, however, may not terminate in the above listed situations, if the child has severe special needs that cause him or her to remain dependent past the age of majority.

Either the custodial or non-custodial parent of a child must notify the child support enforcement agency in their county of any reason why the support order should terminate.

Child support enforcement services are available through Alaska Child Support Services. Services provided through the Alaska Child Support Services agency include:

• Location of non-custodial parents
• Establishment of the child’s paternity
• Establishment and enforcement of Alaskan child support orders
• Review and modification of child support orders

In Alaska, a child-support order may also be enforced by a mandatory payroll deduction. With a mandatory payroll deduction that is ordered by the court, the court orders the employer to deduct payroll funds for the direct support of the children. Typically, the funds are then deposited with the court and the court dispersing the funds to the custodial parent for the support of the minor child. If the court orders a mandatory payroll deduction, the employer cannot simply ignore the order and refuse to implement it.

Also, if there is a mandatory payroll deduction, the non-custodial parent cannot dictate when they will make their child support payments. With a mandatory payroll deduction, the minor child is guaranteed to receive the funds so long as the non-custodial parent remains employed.

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