Federal law requires that states establish guidelines for child support. Pennsylvania’s child and spousal support statute, 23 Pa.C.S. Section 4322(a), provides for a Supreme Court rule establishing a statewide support guideline. Pennsylvania’s support guidelines cover the calculation of both child support and spousal support/alimony pendente lite. Pennsylvania’s support guidelines begin at Rule 1910.16-1. Rule 1910.16-3 is a child support chart applicable when the combined monthly net income of the parties is $30,000 or less. Rule 1910.16-3.1 governs child and spousal support cases where the combined monthly net income of the parties exceeds $30,000.

Pursuant to the Pennsylvania support guidelines, the guidelines shall be reviewed at least once every four years. After the most recent review, the new support guidelines were adopted and made effective Jan. 1.