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 Arkansas, child support guidelines are established by the state's family code and are used to calculate child support payments. These guidelines take into account various factors such as the number of children, the income and financial resources of both parents, the needs and income of the custodial parent, the needs of the children (including any special needs), and the standard of living the children were accustomed to before the divorce or separation. While these guidelines provide a framework for determining child support, Arkansas courts have the discretion to deviate from the suggested amounts when it is in the best interest of the children. This means that a court may order higher or lower payments than the guideline amount if the circumstances warrant such a decision. The primary goal is to ensure that the children's needs are met in a manner that reflects their best interests.