Oregon Child Support Calculator & Guide (2025)

Overview of Oregon Child Support

Oregon uses the Income Shares Model under ORS §107.105 and OAR 137-050. Both parents' gross incomes are combined to determine the support obligation, based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have enjoyed if the parents lived together.

Oregon's child support guidelines are administered through the Oregon Department of Justice - Child Support Program. The state is notable for its consideration of post-secondary education costs and its robust shared custody adjustment provisions.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Oregon

The Oregon child support formula works as follows:

1. Determine each parent's monthly gross income: Include wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and other sources
2. Calculate combined monthly gross income for both parents
3. Find the base obligation from the Oregon child support schedule based on combined income and number of children
4. Allocate each parent's share proportionally based on their percentage of combined income
5. Add health insurance premiums for the child
6. Add childcare costs
7. Consider post-secondary education costs if applicable

Key Factors in Oregon Calculations

Gross Income Basis

Oregon uses gross income for child support calculations. This includes all income from all sources before taxes and deductions, providing a comprehensive view of each parent's financial resources available for child support.

Self-Support Reserve

Oregon maintains a self-support reserve of $1,152 per month (2024). This ensures that the parent obligated to pay support retains enough income to meet their own basic living needs. If the support calculation would leave the obligor below this threshold, the obligation may be reduced.

Shared Custody Adjustments

Oregon provides adjustments for shared custody arrangements. When both parents have significant overnight parenting time, the support calculation accounts for the duplicated expenses each parent incurs during their parenting time, typically resulting in a lower support obligation.

Post-Secondary Education

Oregon is one of the states that may consider post-secondary education costs in the child support calculation. This can include college tuition, books, and related expenses, potentially extending the support obligation beyond the child's 18th birthday.

Minimum and Maximum Amounts

Minimum: Oregon does not have a fixed statutory minimum, but the self-support reserve ensures the obligor retains at least $1,152/month for their own needs.

Maximum: The support schedule extends to higher combined income levels, and the court has discretion for high-income cases above the schedule through rebuttal of the presumption.

Modification and Enforcement

Modification

Oregon allows modification when:

• There has been a substantial change in circumstances
• A significant change in either parent's income has occurred
• Custody or parenting time arrangements have changed
• The child's needs have materially changed

Enforcement

The Oregon Department of Justice - Child Support Program enforces child support through:

• Income withholding from paychecks
• Tax refund interception
• Driver's license suspension
• Professional license suspension
• Credit bureau reporting
• Contempt of court proceedings
• Liens on property and financial accounts

Get your Oregon estimate: Use our free Oregon child support calculator to see what you might owe or receive under Oregon guidelines.