Child Support Calculation Worksheet

IMPORTANT: THIS IS A PREPARATION GUIDE — NOT THE OFFICIAL COURT WORKSHEET

Rhode Island requires the use of official form FC-78 (Child Support Guideline Worksheet) for child support calculations.
This template provides the substantive content and calculation methodology to help you
prepare — but you must transfer your figures to the official worksheet before filing.
The official form is available at https://www.courts.ri.gov/Forms/ or https://ocss.ri.gov/resources/forms.
Do not file this document directly with the court.

CHILD SUPPORT CALCULATION WORKSHEET

State of Rhode Island

Court: Rhode Island Family Court
Case No.: [________________________________]
Judge/Magistrate: [________________________________]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Party and Children Identification
2. Calculation Model
3. Gross Income Determination
4. Adjustments to Income
5. Child Support Obligation Formula
6. Healthcare Expenses
7. Childcare Expenses
8. Extraordinary Expenses
9. Deviation Factors
10. Duration and Termination
11. State-Specific Notes

1. PARTY AND CHILDREN IDENTIFICATION

Custodial Parent:

• Full Name: [________________________________]
• Date of Birth: [__/__/____]
• Employer: [________________________________]

Non-Custodial Parent:

• Full Name: [________________________________]
• Date of Birth: [__/__/____]
• Employer: [________________________________]

Children Subject to This Order:

2. CALCULATION MODEL

Model: Income Shares Model
Number of Children: [____]

3. GROSS INCOME DETERMINATION

4. ADJUSTMENTS TO INCOME

Mandatory Deductions:

Optional Deductions (Court Discretion):

5. CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATION FORMULA

Step 1: Combined Monthly Adjusted Gross Income: $[________]

Step 2: Guideline Chart Amount (for [__] children): $[________]

Step 3: Add Work-Related Child Care (adjusted for tax credit): $[________]

Step 4: Total Monthly Child Support Obligation: $[________]

Step 5: Each Parent's Percentage:

• Custodial Parent: $[________] / $[________] = [____]%
• Non-Custodial Parent: $[________] / $[________] = [____]%

Step 6: Non-Custodial Parent's Monthly Obligation: $[________] x [____]% = $[________]

Step 7: Weekly Obligation (÷ 4.3333): $[________]

6. HEALTHCARE EXPENSES

7. CHILDCARE EXPENSES

8. EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES

9. DEVIATION FACTORS

☐ No deviation requested
☐ Deviation requested based on:

☐ Financial resources of the child
☐ Financial resources of the custodial parent
☐ Standard of living the child would have enjoyed
☐ Physical and emotional condition of the child
☐ Educational needs of the child
☐ Financial resources and needs of the non-custodial parent
☐ Substantially equal parenting time (49%+ each)
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Deviation Amount: $[________] per month
Written Justification: [________________________________]

10. DURATION AND TERMINATION

Child support continues until the earliest of:

• Child reaches age 18 and has graduated from high school
• Court may order support for 90 days post-graduation if child turns 18 before graduation
• Child marries or is emancipated
• Further order of the court

11. STATE-SPECIFIC NOTES

• Weekly to Monthly Conversion: Multiply weekly income by 4.3333.
• Interest on Arrearages: R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.5 allows 12% per annum interest on child support arrears.
• Income Imputation: The court may order community service for able-bodied unemployed parents per § 15-5-16.2(f).
• Shared Custody: When both parents have at least 49% parenting time, a different formula applies.
• Modification: Requires a substantial change of circumstances resulting in at least a 10% change in the order.

SUMMARY OF CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATION

Paid by [________________] to [________________]: $[________] per week / $[________] per month

Prepared By: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]
RI Bar No.: [________]

Sources and References:

• RI Office of Child Support Services — Guidelines
• R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.2
• RI Family Court Administrative Order 2023-02