South Dakota Judicial Jurisdiction (SD)

South Dakota Child Support Calculator

Estimate child support under SDCL § 25-7-6.1 through § 25-7-6.23. Calculate baseline support, parenting time overnights, health insurance credits, and work-related childcare costs.

Legal Model: Income Shares Model
Updated for 2026 Guidelines

1. Enter Case Information

SD Rules
$ /mo
Gross or net monthly earnings before deductions
$ /mo
Included in combined guideline income
nights/yr
365 nights per year total (182.5 = 50/50 equal custody)
Common Schedule Presets:
$ /mo
Incremental monthly premium to cover the children
$ /mo
Monthly out-of-pocket work-related daycare costs
Children from prior or subsequent relationships not part of this order

Estimated Child Support

SD Estimate
Total Estimated Obligation
$0
per month
Important Notice: This figure is a computational estimate based on SDCL § 25-7-6.1 through § 25-7-6.23. Final child support orders may deviate based on judicial discretion, extraordinary expenses, or tax adjustments.
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Understanding South Dakota Child Support Guidelines

South Dakota operates an Income Shares model under SDCL § 25-7-6.2. Both parents' net monthly incomes are combined to establish the basic support schedule obligation.

Shared Custody & Overnights in South Dakota

Under SDCL § 25-7-6.27, a shared parenting cross-credit applies when each parent has the child for at least 180 days (or substantial shared custody), offsetting reciprocal obligations.

Calculate Your Exact Overnights →

Official Court Worksheets & Forms

Family court filings in South Dakota require completing: South Dakota Child Support Schedule Worksheet. Review official forms before filing.

View State Worksheets Directory →

Worked Calculation Example: Standard South Dakota Scenario

Here is a realistic line-by-line computation for two parents in South Dakota raising 2 children:

Guideline Worksheet Line Item Parent A (Paying) Parent B (Receiving) Combined / Order Total
Monthly Guideline Income $4600 $3100 $7700
Parental Income Proportion 60% 40% 100%
Basic Child Support Schedule Obligation - - $1270 /mo
Work-Related Childcare Cost - - +$350 /mo
Health & Dental Insurance Premium - - +$195 /mo
Total Combined Child Financial Needs - - $1815 /mo
Final Estimated Monthly Support Order Paid by Parent A to Parent B $1035 /month

Frequently Asked Questions in South Dakota

Key legal questions regarding child support establishment, modifications, and enforcement in South Dakota.

Does South Dakota calculate support on gross or net income? +

South Dakota uses net monthly income, allowing deductions for income taxes, FICA/Medicare, mandatory retirement contributions, and preexisting child support orders.

What qualifies as shared parenting time in South Dakota? +

Under SDCL § 25-7-6.27, shared parenting time applies when both parents have legal custody and the child resides with each parent for substantial alternating blocks of time.

What is South Dakota's low-income obligation? +

South Dakota statutory tables establish lower percentage obligations for parents whose net monthly earnings fall below the state self-support reserve.

Next Useful Steps for Your Case

Take the next step in preparing your family financial documentation:

Convert Irregular Income

Standardize hourly wages, seasonal overtime, or commissions into monthly gross figures.

Launch Income Tool →

Explore 50/50 Custody

See how equal time sharing and reciprocal guidelines impact final transfer payments.

50/50 Custody Tool →

Download Official Worksheets

Find the exact PDF court forms and financial affidavits required by your court clerk.

Court Worksheets Directory →