How Much Child Support Will I Pay if We Get Divorced? 

 Posted on September 16, 2025 in Child Support

For parents in Illinois who are thinking about divorce, one of the most common questions is: How much child support will I owe? The answer depends on several factors that the court carefully considers. Understanding these rules can help you prepare for what lies ahead and avoid surprises during your divorce.

At Van A. Larson, P.C., our Batavia child support lawyer offers free consultations to help parents make sense of Illinois’ support guidelines. With years of experience handling cases in Kane County courts, we can explain how the law applies to your situation and fight for fair support payments.

How Is Child Support Calculated in Illinois?

Illinois uses what is called an "income shares" model to set child support payments. This means the court looks at both parents’ incomes and calculates how much of the child’s financial needs each parent should cover. The idea is that children should receive the same proportion of their parents’ combined income that they would have if the parents were still living together.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services publishes child support guidelines and tables that show the basic support obligation for a given combined income and number of children. Once the basic amount is set, each parent’s share is determined by their percentage of the combined income, as well as how much parenting time (visitation) they have.

For example, if you earn 70 percent of the total income between you and your spouse, you may be responsible for 70 percent of the child support amount.

Does Parenting Time Affect Child Support Amounts?

The number of nights a child spends with each parent can definitely affect child support. If both parents have the child at least 146 nights a year (which is 40 percent of the time), Illinois law considers it a "shared parenting" arrangement. In this case, the formula adjusts down to account for the fact that both parents are directly providing for the child’s needs more evenly.

What Costs Can Be Added to Child Support?

Child support does not stop with the basic guideline amount. Courts can also order parents to share other expenses, such as:

• Health insurance premiums

• Uncovered medical or dental costs

• Daycare or childcare expenses

• Educational costs and school fees

• Extracurricular activities

These expenses are usually divided between the parents based on their share of the combined income.

Can the Court Change Child Support from the Guidelines?

While Illinois courts typically follow the income shares formula, judges have the discretion to change payment amounts if following the guideline would be unfair. For example, if a child has unusual medical needs or if one parent’s income is very high or very low, the court may set a different amount. The goal in every case is to make sure the child’s best interests are protected.

What If My Income Changes Later?

Child support is not set in stone. If you lose your job, earn a promotion, or your parenting time changes, you can ask the court to modify the order. To succeed, you must show a substantial change in circumstances. This process is common and ensures that support orders remain fair over time.

Contact a Batavia, IL Child Support Lawyer

If you are going through a divorce and want to know how much child support you might have to pay, it is important to understand the Illinois guidelines. At Van A. Larson, P.C., our Kane County, IL divorce attorney offers free consultations to explain your options and protect your finances. Call 630-879-9090 today to schedule your first meeting.