> 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.

# Alimony Child Support in Ohio

Ohio law sets child support using a specific guideline schedule and worksheet, while spousal support (alimony) is determined separately by a court. Under Ohio Rev. Code § 3119.021, child support is calculated based on the parents’ combined income and the number of children, with the result computed on a mandatory worksheet under § 3119.022. The court may deviate from that amount only if it finds the guideline result would be unjust or inappropriate, as authorized by § 3119.04. Spousal support under § 3105.18 is not governed by a fixed formula; instead, the court considers statutory factors and may award it for a duration and amount it finds reasonable. A worked example below shows the child-support calculation. Use the DocketMath calculator to estimate your own potential obligation.

## Governing authority

In Ohio, the alimony child support rule is set by **Ohio Rev. Code § 3119.021 (CS basic schedule); § 3119.022 (CS worksheet); § 3119.04 (deviation); § 3105.18 (spousal support)**. The verified packet cites Ohio Rev. Code § 3119.021 (CS basic schedule); § 3119.022 (CS worksheet); § 3119.04 (deviation); § 3105.18 (spousal support) (https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3119.021).

**Ohio alimony child support:** the verified value is **0%** under Ohio Rev. Code § 3119.021 (CS basic schedule); § 3119.022 (CS worksheet); § 3119.04 (deviation); § 3105.18 (spousal support). The verified packet cites Ohio Rev. Code § 3119.021 (CS basic schedule); § 3119.022 (CS worksheet); § 3119.04 (deviation); § 3105.18 (spousal support) (https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3119.021).

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

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_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._


Ohio law sets child support using a specific guideline schedule and worksheet, while spousal support (alimony) is determined separately by a court. Under Ohio

Alimony Child Support in Ohio

Major OH revision 3/28/2019 (Sub. S.B. 70, 132nd G.A.) raised schedule cap to $336,467/yr combined. Self-support reserve built in. 14 statutory factors for spousal support in § 3105.18(C)(1).

(A) The director of the department of job and family services shall create, by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, a basic child support schedule based on the parents' combined annual income and a self-sufficiency reserve that shall be used by all courts and child support enforcement agencies when calculating the amount of child support to be paid pursuant to a child support order, unless the combined annual income of the parents is less than the minimum guideline income listed on the schedule or more than the maximum guideline income listed on the schedule.

alimony child support in US-OH is governed by Ohio Rev. Code § 3119.021 (CS basic schedule); § 3119.022 (CS worksheet); § 3119.04 (deviation); § 3105.18 (spousal support).

Financial resources of the party seeking support

Time needed to acquire education or training

Standard of living during marriage

Duration of the marriage

Age and physical/emotional condition

Ability of payor to meet own needs

Contributions to the marriage

Tax consequences

Marital misconduct

Child-care responsibilities

Long-term marriage (>= 20 yrs): indefinite spousal support is available within the court's discretion under § 3105.18; no statutory entitlement.

Judicial 'rule of 3' / 'rule of thirds' is custom, not statute — typically about one-third of marriage length, but entirely discretionary under § 3105.18(C).

Judicial rule-of-thumb only — Ohio Rev. Code § 3105.18 has NO statutory duration formula. Some Ohio counties apply a customary 'one year of support per 3 to 5 years of marriage' heuristic. NOT binding statewide.

The director of job and family services shall adopt rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing the creation of child support guideline worksheets and instructions that incorporate the requirements of Chapter 3119. of the Revised Code for the calculation of child support and cash medical support obligations. In addition, the department shall:

(A) Adopt standard worksheet forms that shall be used in all courts and child support enforcement agencies when calculating child support and cash medical support obligations; and

(B) Adopt a standard instruction manual to provide guidance and assistance to persons calculating support obligations.

The guideline worksheet and instruction manual may be revised as needed, but shall be revised at least once every five years.

If the combined annual income of both parents is greater than the maximum annual income listed on the basic child support schedule established pursuant to section 3119.021 of the Revised Code, the court, with respect to a court child support order, or the child support enforcement agency, with respect to an administrative child support order, shall determine the amount of the obligor's child support obligation on a case-by-case basis and shall consider the needs and the standard of living of the children who are the subject of the child support order and of the parents. The court or agency shall compute a basic combined child support obligation that is no less than the obligation that would have been computed under the basic child support schedule and applicable worksheet for a combined annual income equal to the maximum annual income listed on the basic child support schedule established pursuant to section 3119.021 of the Revised Code.

In any action or proceeding in which the court determines the amount of child support that will be ordered to be paid pursuant to a child support order or at any time a child support enforcement agency determines the amount of child support that will be paid pursuant to an administrative child support order, the amount of child support that would be payable under a child support order, as calculated pursuant to the basic child support schedule and applicable worksheet through the line establishing the actual annual obligation, is rebuttably presumed to be the correct amount of child support due.

(f) The extent to which it would be inappropriate for a party, because that party will be custodian of a minor child of the marriage, to seek employment outside the home;

Alimony Child Support in Ohio

Current verified answer

Authority and key facts

Alimony Child Support in Ohio

Governing authority