Most states have child support guidelines in their statutes—often in the statutes collected in the state’s family code. These child support guidelines provide percentages and methods of calculating child support payments based on the number of children; the parents’ incomes and financial resources; the income and needs of the custodial parent; the needs of the children, including any special needs; and the standard of living for the children before the parents’ divorce or separation. The child support guidelines are just guidelines, and the court generally has discretion to order more or less child support based on the best interest of the children.

In Alabama, child support guidelines are established by Rule 32 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration. These guidelines are designed to provide a standard for setting child support amounts and are based on the Income Shares Model, which takes into account the combined income of both parents. The guidelines consider various factors such as the number of children, the gross income of each parent, and include a schedule for the basic child support obligation. Additional expenses like health insurance, childcare costs, and educational expenses may also be factored into the support amount. While these guidelines are intended to ensure consistency and predictability in child support awards, Alabama courts do have the discretion to deviate from the guidelines when it is determined to be in the best interest of the child. Such deviations may be based on circumstances like the child's special needs, shared physical custody arrangements, or other relevant factors that could affect the child's well-being.