Child Custody Cost Calculator
Calculate child custody related expenses including legal fees, child support estimates, and shared parenting costs.
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Custody Cost Estimate
Child custody costs include legal fees and ongoing expenses.
Legal costs for custody cases:
- Uncontested: $1,500–$5,000
- Mediated: $3,000–$10,000
- Contested (litigation): $10,000–$50,000+
Ongoing expenses to consider:
- Childcare/daycare
- Health insurance and medical costs
- School expenses and activities
- Transportation between homes
- Clothing and personal items
Child support is typically based on:
- Both parents’ incomes
- Number of children
- Custody arrangement (percentage of time)
- Childcare and health insurance costs
Rough child support estimate: A common guideline is 20% of non-custodial parent’s net income for one child, plus 5% per additional child.
Disclaimer: This is a rough estimate only. Child support varies significantly by state. This is not legal advice. Consult a family law attorney.