General
Citation: R.I. C.S.G. Administrative Order
Effective Date: September 1, 2017
Implementation Method: Admin Rule
Guidelines Model: Income Shares
Economic Study: Betson-Rothbarth 2010
Guidelines Responsibility: Rhode Island Child Support Task Force
Guidelines Approval: Rhode Island Family Court
Last Guidelines Review (2017)
Previous Guidelines Review ( )
Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) Schedule
Last Updated:
Income Base: Gross
Frequency: Monthly
Income Measure: Combined Monthly Income
Children Categories: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Minimum Income Bracket: $1200
Maximum Income Bracket: $30,000
More than Maximum Income:
BCSO Factors/Assumptions/Adjustments
Age: No
Cost of living: Yes. Adjusted for Rhode Island housing prices
Expenditures Measurement: Reflects average child-rearing expenditures from ages 0 through 17 years old for Rhode Island families
Low-Income: Yes
Medical Expenses: Yes. Assumes ordinary out of pocket medical expenses of $240 per child per year
Parenting Time:
Poverty Level: 2017 federal poverty level for one person ($1,005 per month))
Price Level: February 2017
Subsequent Children:
Taxes: Federal, State, and FICA in 2017
Low-Income1
SSR/LI Adjustment Amt: N/A
Discretionary: No
SSR/LI Adjustment Application: Minimum support order is built into table for combined monthly incomes from $800 to $1,050
Deviation Criteria: N/A
Threshold Income: N/A
Limitations: N/A
Minimum Child Support Amount: $50/month
Limitations on Minimum Child Support Amount: N/A
Notes: SSR based on FPL for one person must be revised each year to reflect annual updated FPL
Medical Expenses
Ordinary:
Extraordinary:
Childcare Expenses
Added to Basic Child Support Obligation
Education Expenses
No provision
Modification
Variance in child support at least 10%
Termination5
Age of Majority: 18 years of age
Ends: Age of majority unless the child is still in high school, then for 90 days following graduation but in no case past child’s 19th birthday.
Statute: R.I. Gen. Laws §15-5-16.2(b)
College Support beyond Age of Majority: No statute or case law holding parents to a duty to college support in the absence of an agreement.
Citation: N/A
Exception for Adults with Disabilities:
Criminal Penalties for Nonpayment3
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §11-2-1 R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-2-1.1
Crime: Misdemeanor; Felony ($10,000 and failure to pay three or more installments),
Maximum Penalty: 6 months; 5 years
Interest and Arrears4
Arrears: Yes
Summary: 1% per month on unpaid principle balance
Statute: R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.5 Interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum on any support debt due or owing, child or spousal support, shall be assessed unless the responsible party shall, for good cause shown, be relieved of the obligation to pay interest by the family court.
License Restrictions for failing to pay Child Support2
Citation:
Type:
Threshold:
Reinstatement:
State Contact
Name: Ms. Sharon Santilli
Title: Associate Director of Child Support Services
Email: sharon.santilli@dhs.ri.gov
Phone Number: (401) 458-4400
Address: 77 Dorrance Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Links
Child Support Calculator
Child Support Guidelines
FindLaw
References
1Judicial Council of California, Review of Statewide Uniform Child Support Guideline, October 25, 2017
2https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/license-restrictions-for-failure-to-pay-child-support.aspx
3https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/criminal-nonsupport-and-child-support.aspx
4https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/interest-on-child-support-arrears.aspx
5https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/termination-of-child-support-age-of-majority.aspx