Reviewed August 2026
Child Support in Mississippi
Mississippi calculates child support as a percentage of the noncustodial parent's adjusted gross income, under the Mississippi Child Support Guidelines. It's not an income shares state. The custodial parent's income stays out of the calculation entirely, and the guideline percentage applies only to the paying parent's own income, rising with the number of children the order covers. Mississippi chancery courts hear child support matters. The Mississippi Department of Human Services' Division of Child Support Enforcement is the state's IV-D agency, and it helps parents apply for services and enforces the orders already in place.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how child support works under Mississippi law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Mississippi paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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The percentage of income guidelines
Mississippi's guidelines set child support as a percentage of the noncustodial parent's adjusted gross income, and that percentage increases with the number of children the order covers. The guidelines create a rebuttable presumption: the calculated percentage is the correct support amount. Courts can deviate. A chancery court may depart from that presumption based on the specific facts of a case, such as extraordinary expenses or a child's special needs. Any deviation must be supported by written findings explaining the reason.
Applying for services
A parent applies for services through the Division of Child Support Enforcement, using the Application for Child Support Services. It's available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The division charges a $25 application fee, unless the applicant already receives SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid benefits, in which case services are typically provided automatically. The division can help establish paternity, put a new support order in place, and enforce an order that already exists. It also assists with locating a parent whose whereabouts are unknown, a common first step before a case can move forward.
Who hears a Mississippi child support case
Mississippi chancery courts decide child support matters. They apply the percentage of income guidelines to the noncustodial parent's documented adjusted gross income. The Division of Child Support Enforcement works alongside that court system on IV-D cases, and it can request that the court establish a new order or enforce one that already exists.
Modifying an existing order
A parent can request an automatic review of a Mississippi child support order every three years, with no need to prove a change in circumstances. Outside that three-year cycle, it's different. A modification then requires proof of a substantial change in circumstances. This can include a significant income change, an increase in the child's needs or expenses, or a change in the health or medical needs of either parent or the child.
Enforcement tools
The Division of Child Support Enforcement uses a wide set of tools against parents who fall behind. These include income withholding, interception of unemployment benefits, and state and federal tax refund offsets. It can also use credit bureau reporting, seizure of workers' compensation or personal injury claim proceeds, bank account freezes, and state license suspension, plus passport revocation once arrears reach $2,500. Contempt is also possible. A parent can face contempt actions that carry the possibility of jail time.
Sources: Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement
Not independently confirmed
- Exact current percentage figures by number of children under Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-101
- Direct verified link to the Mississippi Code statute text online
Child Support in Mississippi: frequently asked questions
Does Mississippi use the income shares model for child support?+
No. Mississippi calculates child support as a percentage of the noncustodial parent's adjusted gross income only, with the percentage rising based on the number of children covered by the order. This differs from combining both parents' incomes the way an income shares state does.
How do I apply for child support services in Mississippi?+
You apply through the Division of Child Support Enforcement, using the Application for Child Support Services. It's available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. A $25 application fee applies, unless you already receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid benefits.
What court hears child support cases in Mississippi?+
Mississippi chancery courts. They decide child support matters, applying the state's percentage of income guidelines to the noncustodial parent's documented adjusted gross income.
When can I modify my Mississippi child support order?+
You can request an automatic review every three years, with no need to prove a change in circumstances. That cycle is fixed. Outside it, you need proof of a substantial change, such as a significant income change, increased needs of the child, or new health or medical needs.
What happens if a parent stops paying child support in Mississippi?+
The Division of Child Support Enforcement can use income withholding, unemployment and tax refund interception, credit bureau reporting, and bank account freezes. It can also seek license suspension and passport revocation once arrears reach $2,500, and contempt actions can carry the possibility of jail time. Jail is a real risk.
Is there an official Mississippi child support calculator?+
Mississippi's percentage of income guidelines are published as part of the Mississippi Child Support Guidelines. Confirm first, always. Check the current percentage table through the Division of Child Support Enforcement before estimating an amount.
This page is general information about child support in Mississippi, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Mississippi's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Mississippi. Virdix does not prepare or file Mississippi divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Mississippi.
More Mississippi divorce guides
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