Arkansas Child Support Laws

Child Support Laws as they apply to the state of Arkansas
📑 Table of Contents (click to expand)

Last verified: February 2026. Arkansas child support guidelines are governed by Administrative Order No. 10, adopted by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Arkansas transitioned from the Percentage of Obligor Income model to a limited Income Shares Model effective July 1, 2020. This was a significant change that affects how support is calculated.

Quick Summary: Arkansas Child Support at a Glance

  • Calculation Method: Income Shares Model (since July 2020)
  • Governing Law: Administrative Order No. 10 of the Arkansas Supreme Court
  • Previous Method: Percentage of Obligor Income (before July 2020)
  • Age of Termination: 18 years old (or 19 if still in high school)
  • Enforcement Agency: Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE)
  • Interest on Arrears: 10% per year
  • Statute of Limitations: 5 years past age 18 for collecting arrears

Arkansas’s New Child Support Law (2020)

In March 2020, Arkansas made a significant change to its child support guidelines. Before this change, Arkansas used the “Percentage of Obligor Income” model, which calculated support based solely on the non-custodial parent’s income. This placed the entire financial burden on one parent.

The new law, effective July 1, 2020, adopted a limited version of the “Income Shares Model.” Under this system:

  • Both parents’ incomes are considered
  • The child’s share of support is based on combined parental income
  • The amount of time the non-custodial parent spends with the child is factored in
  • The model assumes children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents lived together

Important: If you have an existing child support order from before July 2020, the new guidelines may constitute a “material change of circumstances” sufficient to petition for modification. However, existing orders are not automatically changed.

How is Child Support Calculated in Arkansas?

Under the current Administrative Order No. 10, child support is calculated using these steps:

  1. Determine gross income of both parents
  2. Calculate net income by subtracting FICA, federal income tax, and state income tax
  3. Combine both parents’ net incomes
  4. Find the base support obligation using the Family Support Chart based on combined income and number of children
  5. Determine each parent’s proportional share based on their percentage of combined income
  6. Add adjustments for health insurance, extraordinary medical expenses, and work-related childcare

The base support obligation can be adjusted for:

  • Health insurance premiums paid for the child
  • Out-of-pocket medical expenses exceeding $250 per child per year
  • Work-related childcare expenses

You can estimate your support obligation using the Arkansas Child Support Calculator.

Child support in Arkansas is ultimately at the discretion of the court. A judge will determine the final amount, which may differ from the guideline calculation in certain circumstances.

What Counts as Income in Arkansas?

Under Administrative Order No. 10, “income” includes any form of payment, whether periodic or lump sum:

  • Wages, salaries, and tips
  • Commissions and bonuses
  • Self-employment income
  • Workers’ compensation benefits
  • Disability benefits
  • Pension and retirement benefits
  • Social Security benefits
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Rental income
  • Interest and dividends
  • Trust income
  • Alimony received from another relationship

How to Modify Child Support in Arkansas

To modify an existing child support order in Arkansas, you must demonstrate that there has been a material change in circumstances. The court considers several factors:

  • Extraordinary travel expenses for court-ordered visitation
  • Court-ordered responsibility for a stepchild
  • Education expenses
  • Significant change in either parent’s income
  • Change in custody arrangements
  • Change in the child’s needs

Grounds for deviating from the minimum order:

  • The paying parent is incarcerated
  • The only income is SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
  • Verified mental or physical disability that prevents work
  • Documented inability to work

Any deviation from the guidelines must be presented in writing with specific justification.

Note: Arkansas charges 10% annual interest on missed child support payments. The statute of limitations on collecting arrears is five years past the child’s 18th birthday. Arrears do not disappear just because the child turns 18.

Enforcement and Penalties for Non-Payment

Willful failure to pay child support in Arkansas results in a “contempt citation.” If found in contempt of court, the judge may order you to pay all past-due support immediately. Failure to comply can result in fines and jail time.

Enforcement measures the court can use:

  • Income withholding: Wages can be garnished directly from paychecks
  • Property liens: Liens can be placed on vehicles, homes, and other property
  • Property seizure: Property may be sold to satisfy arrears
  • Bank account garnishment: Funds can be seized from bank accounts
  • Tax refund interception: State and federal tax refunds can be seized
  • Passport flagging: Passports may be denied or revoked
  • Public assistance exclusion: The delinquent parent may be excluded from Medicaid or other public assistance
  • Attorney fees: The delinquent parent may be ordered to pay the other parent’s legal costs

You have the right to represent yourself in court (“pro se”). Resources are available at the Arkansas Courts website. However, given the complexity of family law, consulting with an attorney is strongly recommended.

Arkansas state outline

Felony Thresholds for Non-Payment

Arkansas has specific criminal penalties based on the amount of unpaid child support:

  • $10,000+ in arrears: Class C felony
  • $25,000+ in arrears: Class B felony
  • Leaving the state to avoid payment: Class D felony if you leave for more than 30 days, owe more than $2,500, or owe at least 4 months of back support

According to the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), fleeing the state to avoid child support is punishable by up to 6 years in prison plus a $10,000 fine.

When Does Child Support End in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, child support normally ends when the child:

  • Turns 18 and has graduated from high school, OR
  • Turns 19, regardless of high school completion status
  • If the child drops out of high school, support ends at age 18

Child support may also end if:

  • The child dies
  • The child becomes legally emancipated
  • The child marries
  • The parents remarry each other

Important considerations:

  • Termination of support does not erase existing arrears. You must still pay any back child support owed.
  • The court may order additional support to cover college expenses, so support does not always end at 18.
  • Support does not terminate automatically. You must notify OCSE, your employer (if wages are withheld), the clerk of court, and the custodial parent when support should end.

How to Get Emancipated in Arkansas

A minor in Arkansas can become emancipated before age 18 through several methods:

  • Marriage: Arkansas allows 17-year-olds (and 16-year-old girls with parental consent) to marry, which results in emancipation
  • Military service: Joining the military results in emancipation
  • Court declaration: Filing for a judicial declaration of emancipation

To petition for court emancipation, you must:

  • Be at least 17 years old
  • Be financially stable with a legal source of income
  • Demonstrate that emancipation is in your best interest

The emancipation petition form is available through Arkansas Legal Services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the new 2020 guidelines apply to my existing order?

Existing orders are not automatically changed. However, the difference between your current order and what would be calculated under the new Income Shares Model may constitute a “material change of circumstances” allowing you to petition for modification.

Can child support be modified retroactively in Arkansas?

Modifications generally apply only to future payments from the date of filing. Past-due amounts cannot be retroactively changed.

What if I can’t afford my child support payment?

If you cannot make a payment, contact OCSE or file a motion for modification immediately. Do not simply stop paying, as arrears will accumulate at 10% annual interest. If you lose your job or become disabled, you may qualify for a reduction.

Can I represent myself in court?

Yes. Arkansas allows “pro se” representation. However, child support cases can be complex, and your argument must be legally sound. Consulting with an attorney is strongly recommended.

How do I calculate my support obligation?

Use the Arkansas Child Support Calculator for an estimate. For a precise calculation, consult the Family Support Chart in Administrative Order No. 10 or speak with an attorney.

Additional Resources

Arkansas Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE)

Official Documents:

Arkansas child support laws continue to evolve. For the most current information and personalized legal advice, consult with a family law attorney in Arkansas.

More Arkansas Laws

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