the District of Columbia · alimony child support

District of Columbia Child Support Amount Under D.C. Code § 16-916.01

By DocketMath TeamUpdated July 15, 20262 min read
Alimony Child Support in the District of Columbia
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Quoted from the source law itself. Not legal advice; confirm how it applies to your matter.

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the District of Columbia alimony-child-support: cap note is DC $240k/yr combined cap (16-916.01(h)) is enforced by the schedule topping out at combined-monthly $20,000 (=$240k/yr); the calc clamps incomes above the max row. income_cap is intentionally NOT set (the calc would misapply it as a per-parent cap).; income cap type is presumptive_combined_annual_gross.

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Authority and key facts

Citation: D.C. Code § 16-916.01 + DC Mun. Reg. tit. 16, ch. 30 (child); D.C. Code § 16-913 (alimony)

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Verified April 26, 2026

  • Cap Note: DC $240k/yr combined cap (16-916.01(h)) is enforced by the schedule topping out at combined-monthly $20,000 (=$240k/yr); the calc clamps incomes above the max row. income_cap is intentionally NOT set (the calc would misapply it as a per-parent cap).
  • Income Cap Type: presumptive_combined_annual_gross
  • Minimum Support Order: 75
  • Minimum Support Order Note: D.C. Code § 16-916.01(g)(3): $75/mo presumptive minimum for low-income obligors.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

the District of ColumbiaAlimony & Child Support

the District of Columbia uses a discretionary test — there's no bright-line statutory threshold. A judge or clerk evaluates the factors below and rules based on the full financial and situational picture. The calculator cannot compute a specific answer here, but these are the factors a court will weigh.

What the court will weigh

Gather documentation for the factors that apply to your situation — judges grant waivers more readily when the affidavit is specific.

  1. Ability of party seeking alimony to be wholly or partly self-supporting

    D.C. Code § 16-913(d)(1).

  2. Time necessary to acquire education or training

    D.C. Code § 16-913(d)(2): time necessary for party seeking alimony to gain sufficient education or training to secure suitable employment.

  3. Standard of living during the marriage

    D.C. Code § 16-913(d)(3).

  4. Duration of the marriage

    D.C. Code § 16-913(d)(4).

  5. Circumstances contributing to estrangement

    D.C. Code § 16-913(d)(5).

  6. Age of the parties

    D.C. Code § 16-913(d)(6).

  7. Physical and mental condition of the parties

    D.C. Code § 16-913(d)(7).

  8. Ability of party from whom alimony is sought to meet their own needs while paying alimony

    D.C. Code § 16-913(d)(8).

  9. Financial needs and resources of each party

    D.C. Code § 16-913(d)(9): including income, income from assets, potential income, and any other relevant factors.

  10. Tax consequences

    Post-TCJA federal treatment (no deduction/no inclusion for orders after 2018).

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District of Columbia Child Support Amount Under D.C. Code § 16-916.01

In the District of Columbia, the amount of child support is determined by applying the guidelines in D.C. Code § 16-916.01 and DC Mun. Reg. tit. 16, ch. 30, while alimony is governed separately under D.C. Code § 16-913. The child support guidelines use a formula based on each parent’s income and the number of children, with a verified minimum payment amount of $0 in certain low-income circumstances. The statute sets out factors and exceptions that the court must consider, but the exact calculation depends on the specific financial data entered into the official support calculator. Alimony, by contrast, involves a separate analysis of need and ability to pay. For a precise estimate, use the DocketMath calculator with your individual income and custody details.

Governing authority

In the District of Columbia, the alimony child support rule is set by D.C. Code § 16-916.01 + DC Mun. Reg. tit. 16, ch. 30 (child); D.C. Code § 16-913 (alimony). The verified packet cites D.C. Code § 16-916.01 + DC Mun. Reg. tit. 16, ch. 30 (child); D.C. Code § 16-913 (alimony) (https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/16-916.01).

the District of Columbia alimony child support: the verified value is $0 under D.C. Code § 16-916.01 + DC Mun. Reg. tit. 16, ch. 30 (child); D.C. Code § 16-913 (alimony). The verified packet cites D.C. Code § 16-916.01 + DC Mun. Reg. tit. 16, ch. 30 (child); D.C. Code § 16-913 (alimony) (https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/16-916.01).

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the alimony child support calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.


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