How Do I Know if the New Changes in Child Support Affect Me?

Updated for 2025

By Paul A. Seckel | Originally Posted June 19, 2019 | Updated 2025

When a child-support order changes, the effects can be significant — whether you pay or receive support. Alabama’s Rule 32 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration governs how child-support obligations are calculated, and several key updates since 2018 may affect your case.

At Guntersville Law, LLC, we stay up to date on every amendment to the law so we can help clients understand how these changes apply to their unique circumstances.

Major Rule 32 Updates

✅ 2018 Amendment – Credit for Third-Party Payments

Effective June 1, 2018, Alabama amended Rule 32 to clarify how third-party payments (like Social Security or Veterans’ benefits) affect child-support obligations.

If your child receives a third-party benefit based on the non-custodial parent’s earnings record or eligibility, that amount can now be credited against the support obligation.

Example:
If your total support obligation is $600 per month and your child receives $200 in Social Security dependent benefits tied to your record, you owe only $400 per month in direct payments.

However, not all third-party payments count. You cannot deduct:

  • Payments based on the child’s own disability

  • Payments not tied to the paying parent’s earnings record

  • Adoption subsidies under § 26-10-20 et seq., Code of Alabama 1975

  • Payments exceeding the monthly obligation

You can read the rule in full on the Alabama Judicial System – Rule 32 PDF.

✅ 2022 Amendment – True Joint Custody Cases

One of the most important modern updates arrived in 2022, affecting parents who share true joint physical custody.

Under the May 1, 2022 revision (effective for cases filed on or after June 1, 2023):

When parents share custody on an equal basis (50/50) — each parent has the child for roughly equal time — the court must still calculate child support using Rule 32, and one parent may still owe support depending on income differences, child-related expenses, and insurance costs.

Previously, many parents in true joint-custody arrangements assumed that child support would automatically be waived. The new rule makes it clear:

  • Joint physical custody does not automatically eliminate support.

  • The court will now apply a shared-custody adjustment formula to ensure fairness.

  • This formula accounts for time spent with each parent and the relative incomes of both.

You can access the official Alabama Child Support Guidelines and Calculator through the Administrative Office of Courts (AOC):

Using the calculator can help you estimate potential changes under Rule 32, though the final number always depends on the judge’s order and the specific facts of your case.

When Do These Rules Apply?

The updated child-support guidelines apply to all cases filed or modified after June 1, 2023. If your existing order was entered before that date, your support amount will not change automatically. You may need to file a petition to modify your child-support order if:

  • Your custody arrangement has changed to joint physical custody;

  • Your child now receives third-party benefits (e.g., Social Security); or

  • Your or the other parent’s income has changed significantly.

How to Know If the New Rules Affect You

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Do you share equal physical custody of your child (close to 50/50)?

  • Has your child started receiving a Social Security or veterans’ benefit due to your work record?

  • Has your income or your co-parent’s income changed substantially?

  • Do you believe your current child-support amount no longer reflects today’s guidelines?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, it may be time to review or modify your child-support order under Rule 32.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Child-support laws are complex, and the formulas in Rule 32 involve detailed calculations that can make or break your case. Having an experienced family-law attorney ensures that your rights are protected and your obligations accurately reflect your circumstances.

At Guntersville Law, LLC, we:

  • Review existing orders to determine whether the new laws apply to you

  • Use the AOC calculator to estimate support adjustments

  • File petitions to modify support when warranted

  • Represent you in court to ensure a fair and accurate ruling

Schedule a Consultation

Understanding whether these changes apply to your situation can save you time, stress, and money.

📞 Call Guntersville Law, LLC today at (256) 571-1529 or use our online contact form to schedule a $100, 30-minute consultation.

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