Child Support Attorney Columbus Ohio

Accurate Calculations and Fair Support for Your Children

Child support is about making sure your children are taken care of after a separation or divorce. It affects housing, education, healthcare, extracurricular activities, and day-to-day stability. Getting the calculation right matters, both for the parent paying support and the parent receiving it.

At King Law Group, we represent parents throughout Ohio in child support matters from our Columbus office. Whether you need to establish a new order, correct an inaccurate calculation, modify an existing order, or enforce one that isn’t being followed, we provide clear guidance grounded in Ohio’s statutory guidelines.

Ohio uses a statutory formula to calculate child support, but the formula is only as accurate as the income information that goes into it. The formula is straightforward for W-2 income. For self-employed business owners, parents with multiple income streams, or complex compensation, the numbers can be misleading if they aren’t analyzed correctly.

We make sure the numbers going in front of the court are accurate and fully documented.

Call today if you need help with a child support matter.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Ohio

Ohio’s child support system is governed by Chapter 3119 of the Ohio Revised Code. The state uses an income shares model, which means both parents’ incomes are combined and the support obligation is divided proportionally based on each parent’s share of that total.

The calculation starts with determining each parent’s gross income. Under ORC Section 3119.01, gross income is defined broadly and includes one or many of the following:

Wages, salaries, tips, and overtime pay
Bonuses, commissions, and royalties
Rental income and interest
Dividends, pensions, annuities, and severance pay
Social security benefits, workers' compensation and unemployment benefits
Self-employment income, trust income, and other sources

Once gross income is determined, certain deductions are applied, including local income taxes, spousal support payments under an existing order, and adjustments for other children the parent is legally obligated to support. The resulting adjusted gross income for each parent is entered into the Ohio Child Support Guideline Worksheet, which produces a presumptive monthly support amount based on the combined income and the number of children.

The basic child support schedule begins at a combined guideline income of $8,400 and runs in $600 increments to the top of the schedule — currently $336,467.04 in combined annual income. Above the top of the schedule, ORC 3119.04 directs the court to set support case by case, and the amount may not fall below the highest schedule figure unless the court finds that amount unjust or inappropriate.

The worksheet calculation is the starting point and these calculations are only as reliable as the financial data provided. We ensure the court receives complete, accurate, and properly documented income information to determine the final number. Courts can deviate from the guideline amount if the standard calculation would be unjust or inappropriate under the circumstances.

Factors That Affect the Support Amount

While the worksheet provides a presumptive amount, several factors can influence the final order. Courts evaluate the full financial picture of both parents and the needs of the children.

Key factors include each parent’s gross income and earning capacity, the number of children covered by the order, parenting time allocation (when the parent paying support has the child 90 or more overnights a year, Ohio applies a 10% parenting-time adjustment to that parent’s support obligation), health insurance premiums paid for the children, work-related childcare costs, extraordinary medical or dental expenses including orthodontia, private education costs when appropriate, and the standard of living the children would have enjoyed if the marriage had continued.

For higher-income households, courts may consider deviations from the standard guideline when the calculated amount exceeds what is reasonably necessary for the children’s needs. When deviations are appropriate, we present financial evidence clearly so the court understands why the guideline amount does not reflect the child’s actual needs.

Child Support for Self-Employed Parents and Business Owners

Determining income for self-employed parents is one of the most contested areas in child support cases. Under ORC Section 3119.01, self-employment income is calculated as gross receipts from a business minus ordinary and necessary business expenses. But courts look carefully at what qualifies as a legitimate business expense versus a personal expense being run through the business.

Common issues in self-employment cases include inflated business deductions that reduce reported income, personal expenses categorized as business costs, cash income that does not appear on tax returns, vehicles, meals, travel, and other perks that reduce personal living expenses, and revenue fluctuations that make it difficult to determine a reliable annual income figure.

Courts have the authority to impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. If a parent has the skills, education, and ability to earn more than they currently report, the court can assign an income figure based on earning capacity rather than actual reported earnings.

For parents with bonuses, commissions, or overtime, Ohio law requires courts to include the lesser of two calculations: the three-year average of those earnings, or the total from the most recent year. This prevents a single high or low year from disproportionately affecting the support order.

Accurate financial documentation is critical. Tax returns, profit and loss statements, bank records, and pay stubs all come into play. Our firm regularly handles matters involving business ownership, variable income, and executive level compensation and will ensure the court has a complete and accurate picture of each parent’s financial situation.

Establishing a Child Support Order

Child support can be established through a divorce, dissolution, custody proceeding, or as a standalone action when parents are unmarried. In Ohio, either parent can request a child support order through the court, or support may be initiated through the local Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA).

When parents are unmarried, paternity may need to be established before a support order can be issued. Once paternity is confirmed, the court applies the same guideline calculations as it would in a divorce.

We guide parents through every step—from gathering financial documentation to presenting evidence and advocating for a fair and accurate calculation.

Modifying an Existing Child Support Order

Child support orders are not permanent. Ohio law allows modification when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Under ORC Section 3119.79, either parent can request a review and adjustment of the support order.

Common reasons for modification include a significant change in either parent’s income (job loss, promotion, career change), a change in the child’s needs such as medical expenses or educational costs, a change in parenting time or custody arrangements, the emancipation of one child when multiple children are covered by the order, a change in health insurance availability or cost, and incarceration of the obligor for 12 months or more (courts cannot impute income to an incarcerated parent).

Ohio also provides for an administrative review of child support orders. Either parent can request a review through the CSEA every 36 months without having to demonstrate a change in circumstances. Outside of that 36-month window, a change in circumstances must be shown.

Because modifications are not retroactive, filing promptly protects you from accumulating arrears based on outdated income.

Enforcing Child Support Orders

When a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, enforcement action may be necessary. Ohio takes nonpayment seriously and has several enforcement mechanisms available.

Enforcement tools include wage garnishment through the obligor’s employer, interception of federal and state tax refunds, suspension of driver’s licenses and professional licenses, passport denial for arrears exceeding $2,500, contempt of court proceedings that can result in fines or jail time, and liens on real property and bank accounts.

Under Ohio law, unpaid child support that reaches a certain threshold can result in felony charges. Under ORC 2919.21, nonsupport is a fifth-degree felony when a parent fails to provide support for 26 weeks out of 104 consecutive weeks, or has a prior nonsupport conviction — a prior felony conviction raises it to a fourth-degree felony. Separately, federal law (18 U.S.C. 228) reaches arrears over $5,000 or more than a year past due.

We represent both parents seeking enforcement and parents defending against enforcement actions. We focus on solutions that are fair, sustainable, and grounded in the actual financial circumstances.

When Does Child Support End in Ohio?

In Ohio, child support generally continues until the child turns 18. However, if the child is still attending high school at age 18, support continues until the child turns 19 or graduates, whichever comes first.

Support does not automatically terminate on the child’s birthday. A motion to terminate must be filed with the court. If you continue paying beyond the termination date without filing, you may not be able to recover overpayments.

Child support may also end earlier if the child becomes emancipated, enlists in the military, or gets married. In rare circumstances, courts may order support beyond the standard age if the child has a physical or mental disability that prevents self-sufficiency.

We assist parents with termination motions to ensure support ends at the correct time and overpayments are avoided.

Why Clients Choose King Law Group for Child Support Matters

Child support disputes require financial precision. The difference between an accurate calculation and one based on incomplete information can amount to thousands of dollars per year, compounding over the life of the order.

Clients choose our firm because we provide detailed income analysis and financial review, with a meticulous approach, analyzing income line by line to identify discrepancies early, and present financial evidence in a way judges can easily follow. Our clear communication throughout the process will keep you informed so you always know where your case stands and what comes next.

Our experience with complex income situations includes business ownership and executive compensation, strategic advocacy for both establishing and contesting support amounts, and guidance through modification and enforcement proceedings.

Your children’s financial stability deserves the same level of care and attention as every other aspect of your family law case. We make sure the numbers are right.

King Law Group Client Process

Initial Consultation

Give us a call or fill out our form and we’ll discuss briefly your needs before scheduling an in-person meeting with our experienced family law attorneys. This meeting will review your financial situation, existing orders, and goals.

Financial Review and Documentation

Once you’ve agreed we’re the right attorney for you, we’ll gather income documentation, tax returns, and financial records from both parties. We review every line to ensure accuracy before anything goes in front of a judge.

Negotiation or Litigation

We pursue resolution through negotiation when possible, but prepare thoroughly for court when necessary. We file documentation on time and present financial evidence clearly and persuasively.

Order Finalization and Ongoing Support

Once the support order is issued, we ensure the terms are clear, enforceable, and aligned with the actual financial circumstances. If your situation changes down the road, we help with modification as needed.

Frequently Asked Child Support Questions

Ohio uses an income shares model governed by Chapter 3119 of the Ohio Revised Code. Both parents' gross incomes are combined, deductions are applied, and the result is entered into the Ohio Child Support Guideline Worksheet. The worksheet produces a presumptive monthly support amount based on the combined income and number of children. Courts can deviate from this amount if the standard calculation would be unjust or inappropriate.

Under ORC Section 3119.01, gross income includes wages, salaries, overtime, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, dividends, interest, pensions, social security benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and most other earned and unearned income. Income from a parent's new spouse is not included. Means-tested government benefits like SSI and SNAP are excluded.

Yes. Either parent can request modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, a change in custody or parenting time, or a change in the child's needs. Parents can also request an administrative review through the CSEA every 36 months without showing a change in circumstances. Modifications take effect from the filing date, not retroactively.

Child support in Ohio generally ends when the child turns 18, or at 19 if the child is still in high school. Support may also end if the child becomes emancipated, joins the military, or marries. A motion to terminate must be filed with the court. Support does not stop automatically on the child's birthday.

Ohio has multiple enforcement mechanisms for unpaid child support, including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, passport denial, property liens, and contempt of court. Failing to pay support for 26 out of 104 consecutive weeks can result in felony nonsupport charges under ORC 2919.21. Federal charges are also possible when arrears exceed $5,000 or are more than a year past due.

Self-employment income is calculated as gross business receipts minus ordinary and necessary expenses. Courts examine tax returns, profit and loss statements, and bank records to determine actual income. Personal expenses run through the business may be added back to income. If a parent is voluntarily underemployed, the court can impute income based on earning capacity rather than reported earnings.

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