Collect current income information
Recent pay stubs, tax documents, benefit information, and records of other regular income are a useful starting point. If income varies, bring several months of information rather than one unusually high or low period.
Clarify the parenting schedule
Support discussions often depend on more than salary alone. Bring a calendar or written schedule showing the practical division of parenting time, including school nights, weekends, holidays, and transportation.
Identify child-related costs
Health insurance, childcare, school expenses, recurring medical costs, and other regular child expenses can matter to the overall discussion. Keep receipts or statements where possible instead of relying only on estimates.
Do not assume an online estimate is final
Online calculators can be useful for orientation, but they are not a substitute for case-specific advice. Inputs, credits, income characterization, and existing orders can change the analysis.
Ask how changes are handled
If income or parenting time has changed significantly, ask what information is needed to evaluate whether a modification should be discussed. Do not assume an informal change automatically updates an existing order.