Alaska child support basics are governed by specific guidelines that determine how much financial support children receive from their parents. The state uses Civil Rule 90.3 to calculate child support amounts and ensure consistency across all cases.
All parents in Alaska have a legal obligation to financially support their children until age 18, or age 19 if the child has not graduated from high school. This obligation exists regardless of whether parents were married or lived together.
The Child Support Services Division (CSED) administers child support in Alaska. CSED works to collect and disburse child support payments and helps establish child support orders when parents are not living together.
How Child Support is Calculated
Alaska uses the Percentage of Income Model to calculate child support. This method bases the child support amount primarily on the noncustodial parent income.
Income Calculation Process
The first step involves determining the noncustodial parent's adjusted annual income. This includes all income sources minus allowable deductions such as:
- Federal income taxes owed
- State unemployment insurance premiums
- Mandatory retirement contributions
- Health insurance premiums for the parent and children
- Child support ordered for children from previous relationships
- Work-related childcare expenses
Support Percentages
Once the adjusted annual income is determined, the following percentages apply:
- One child: 20% of adjusted annual income
- Two children: 27% of adjusted annual income
- Three children: 33% of adjusted annual income
- Each additional child: 3% more
Alaska requires a minimum monthly child support payment of $50.
Calculation Example
Let’s have a look at an example for a noncustodial parent with gross annual income of $60,000:
Step 1: We calculate adjusted annual income
- Gross annual income: $60,000
- Federal taxes owed: $8,000
- Health insurance premiums: $2,400
- Adjusted annual income: $49,600
Step 2: Apply Support Percentage
- For one child: $49,600 × 20% = $9,920 annually
- Monthly child support: $9,920 ÷ 12 = $827 per month
Or
- For two children: $49,600 × 27% = $13,392 annually
- Monthly child support: $13,392 ÷ 12 = $1,116 per month
Custody Arrangements and Support
The type of custody arrangement affects how child support is calculated. Alaska recognizes four custody types:
Primary Physical Custody
When one parent has the children for at least 70% of the time (256+ nights per year), they have primary physical custody. The noncustodial parent pays child support based on the standard percentage formula.
Shared Custody
In shared custody, children spend at least 30% of time with each parent (110+ nights annually). The calculation considers both parents' incomes and the time children spend with each parent.
Divided Custody
This occurs when there are multiple children and each parent has primary physical custody of at least one child. Each parent's support obligation is calculated separately.
Hybrid Custody
Hybrid custody exists when parents have shared custody of some children and primary physical custody of others. This requires complex calculations using specialized forms.
Establishing Child Support Orders
In Alaska, child support orders can be established through two methods:
Administrative Orders (CSED)
CSED can establish child support orders when:
- One parent applies for child support services
- A parent receives public assistance
- Parents need help calculating child support amounts
Court Orders
Alaska Superior Court establishes child support orders during:
- Divorce proceedings
- Custody cases
- Legal separation cases
- Paternity proceedings
Court orders can modify existing CSED orders, but CSED cannot modify court orders.
Health Insurance Requirements
Child support orders in Alaska typically include medical support provisions. Parents must provide health insurance when it is available at reasonable cost, generally defined as 5% or less of the parent's adjusted annual income.
Medical support requirements include:
- Health insurance coverage
- Dental and vision coverage when reasonable
- Payment of uninsured medical expenses
- Reimbursement procedures for medical costs
Enforcement Methods
Alaska uses several methods to collect and disburse child support payments:
Income Withholding
Automatic income withholding is the primary collection method. Employers must withhold child support from the paying parent's wages. The maximum amount that can be withheld is generally 40% of net disposable earnings, or 50% when health insurance coverage is included.
Other Collection Tools
- Federal tax refund interception
- Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend seizure
- Bank account garnishment
- Property liens
- Professional and driver's license suspension
- Credit bureau reporting
Modifying Child Support
Child support orders can be modified when there is a material change in circumstances. Alaska presumes a material change exists if the new calculation would result in a support amount that differs by 15% or more from the current order.
Common reasons for modification include:
- Significant changes in either parent's income
- Changes in custody arrangements
- Changes in the child's needs
- Job loss or new employment
Special Circumstances
Courts may deviate from standard child support guidelines in cases involving unusual circumstances:
- Very high or low income levels
- Children with special medical or educational needs
- Large families
- Geographic factors affecting living costs
Any deviation from the guidelines must be documented and justified in writing.
Minimum Support Requirements
Alaska requires a minimum child support payment of $50 per month for all children covered by an order, even if the guideline calculation results in a lower amount.
Support Duration
Child support continues until the child reaches age 18, or age 19 if the child is still attending high school. Support may be extended beyond age 18 if the child is pursuing a high school diploma or equivalent vocational training while living as a dependent.
Resources and Assistance
Parents can access help with alaska child support basics through several resources:
- CSED customer service representatives
- Alaska Courts Self-Help Center
- Online child support calculators
- Legal aid organizations
- Family law attorneys
CSED provides forms, guidelines, and assistance to help parents understand their child support obligations and ensure children receive their support.
Payment Processing
All child support payments in Alaska are processed through CSED, which collects payments from the paying parent and disburses them to the custodial parent. This system ensures proper record-keeping and helps track payment history.
Enforcement Consequences
Failure to pay child support can result in various enforcement actions including wage garnishment, asset seizure, license suspension, and credit reporting. The goal is to ensure children receive the financial support they need while encouraging compliance with child support orders.
If you are familiar with Alaska’s child support basics, you are a step forward in navigating the system effectively and ensuring children receive appropriate financial support. For specific questions about individual cases, you should contact CSED or consult with a family law attorney.