Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines Updated: What Parents Should Know

Written by Suzanne Griest and Katelin Carter

Effective January 1, 2026, Pennsylvania has updated its child support guidelines. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania adopted a revised Basic Child Support Schedule along with corresponding updates to the rules governing how child support is calculated. The updates are part of the Court’s regular review of the guidelines ensuring that child support amounts reflect current economic data and the actual cost of raising children. Pennsylvania reviews and updates its child support guidelines on a periodic basis, typically every few years. These changes apply to new child support orders and modifications entered on or after January 1, 2026.

Practically speaking, the new guidelines result in a 15% increase in the amount of child support for one child, 16% for 2 children and 18% for additional children.  For high income cases ($25-$30K net per month) would result in approximately 25% increase.

As a result of these updates to the support guidelines, parents may wonder whether they should seek a modification of an existing child support order. In Pennsylvania, a support order may be modified when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances, and a change in the statewide guidelines can, in some cases, support a request for modification. Depending on the parties’ incomes, custody arrangement, and other factors, the latest schedule may result in a higher or lower support obligation than under prior guidelines.

That said, a guideline update does not automatically mean that a modification is advisable for all child support cases. Filing for modification reopens the entire support calculation, which may invite unwanted consequences. When a case is reviewed, the court may reassess income, custody percentages, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and other factors that can affect the final support amount. For that reason, it is important to speak with an attorney before filing anything with the court. An experienced family law attorney can review your current order, explain how the new guidelines apply to your specific circumstances, and help you weigh the potential risks and benefits of seeking a modification.

If you have questions about how the updated child support guidelines may affect you, or whether pursuing a modification makes sense for your family, the family law attorneys at MPL Law Firm are available to help you make an informed decision.