Under Minnesota law, every child has the right to financial and emotional support from both parents. If a child's parents are divorced or legally separated (or if they were never married in the first place), this support generally takes the form of money paid by one parent (usually the one without custody) to the child's other parent or caregiver to provide for the child's care and wellbeing. Minnesota has a fairly strict, and fairly complicated, guideline the state uses when it calculates the appropriate amount of child support. While parents are permitted to create their own child support agreements, these agreements can't stray too far from the state guidelines.
How to File For Child Support in Minnesota
TheMinnesota Department of Human Resourcescan be your resource for child support services in Minnesota. Any parent or person who has court-ordered custody of a minor child can receive child support while the child is financially dependent on that person. Minnesota’s DHS has resources for:
There are multiple ways toapply for child support services, depending on your specific circumstances, and you can file it with your local child support office.
How Child Support in Minnesota is Calculated
Minnesota has a fairly complex guideline for determining child support payments. The guideline first takes into account both parents’ gross income from all sources, with any alimony or spousal support deducted. Then each parent’s percentage of the combined income is calculated and applied to a guideline chart, taking into account the number of joint children they have. After that, parenting time is deducted from the final amount.
The child support guideline is intended for the child to receive the same proportion of parental income as he or she would if both parents were still living together. Minnesota DHS provides anonline child support guideline calculatoryou can use to estimate the amount of child support you may receive or may have to pay.
Child Support Statutes in Minnesota
Minnesota's child support guidelines are highlighted in the following table.
| Code Section |
| |
| Who Is Responsible? | Both parents. | |
| How Is Support Calculated? | Calculation of Gross Income: MN Statutes Ch. 518A.29 | |
| Factors | Child support obligations are calculated using the income of both parents, number of children, cost of raising a child at different income levels, and availability and cost of medical support. | |
| What Is Included in a Support Order? | Child care expenses, health insurance coverage, medical expenses, educational expenses, and travel expenses. | |
| How Long Must a Parent Pay Child Support? | Until child turns 18 or 20 if the child still attends secondary school. (Or indefinitely if the child cannot support themselves due to a physical or mental condition.) | |
| Local Child Support Offices | ||
| Minnesota Child Support Formula |
Note:State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Minnesota Child Support Guidelines: Related Resources
Get Professional Legal Help With Your Minnesota Child Support Case
As noted above, Minnesota's child support laws can seem convoluted to non-attorneys. The right legal professional will know how to negotiate with opposing counsel and represent you and your family's best interests. Don't leave it up to chance; contact a Minnesota family law attorney today.
