How to Fill Out Worksheet for Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines (CCSG-001)

The Worksheet for the Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines (Form CCSG-001) is a mandatory and foundational document used in all Connecticut family law cases involving minor children, including divorce, legal separation, and custody actions. Its primary purpose is to calculate the presumptive amount of weekly child support one parent will pay to the other, based on a specific formula established by state law (C.G.S. §46b-215a). The form walks you through a series of calculations, starting with each parent's gross weekly income and applying specific, allowable deductions to arrive at a net income figure.

This worksheet ensures that child support orders are consistent, fair, and predictable across the state. It considers the income of both parents, the number of children, health insurance costs, work-related daycare expenses, and any past-due support (arrearages). The final calculated amount is called the 'presumptive support amount.' While judges have the authority to deviate from this amount, they must have a legally valid reason to do so, which is also documented on this form. Completing this worksheet accurately is critical, as it directly impacts the financial well-being of your children and the financial obligations of both parents for years to come.

Requirements

Before you begin filling out this form, gather the following documents and information for both yourself and the other parent. Accuracy is key, and you will need to attach proof of your income.

• Completed Financial Affidavit: You will need a fully completed Financial Affidavit (JD-FM-006-SHORT or JD-FM-006-LONG). Most of the numbers for this worksheet come directly from the affidavit.
• Income Verification: At least your three most recent pay stubs. If you are self-employed, you'll need business profit and loss statements and other proof of income.
• Tax Returns: Your most recent federal and state income tax returns.
• Health Insurance Costs: A document from your employer or insurance provider showing the weekly cost to cover yourself and your children for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Childcare Costs: Invoices or a contract from your daycare provider showing the weekly cost for work-related childcare.
• Other Court Orders: If you pay or receive alimony or child support for children from another relationship, you will need a copy of that court order.
• Information on Other Children: The names and dates of birth of any other biological or adopted children you support who live with you.
• Connecticut Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations: This is a chart published by the Connecticut Judicial Branch that you will need to reference. You can find it on the CT Judicial Branch website or by searching for 'Connecticut Child Support Guidelines.'
• A Calculator: The form requires extensive arithmetic.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Case and Children Information

This top section of the form identifies the parents, children, and the court case. It's crucial to be consistent with how you label 'Parent A' and 'Parent B' throughout all your court documents.

PARENT A / PARENT B: Enter your full name in one box and the other parent's full name in the other. It doesn't legally matter who is A or B, but it's common for the person filling out the form to be Parent A. Be consistent.

CUSTODIAN: Check the box for the parent with whom the child(ren) primarily reside. This is often referred to as the 'custodial parent.' If you have a shared custody arrangement where the child spends equal time with both parents, you may need to complete two separate worksheets, one with each parent as the custodian, to see how it affects the calculation. Check 'Other' if a third party has custody.

COURT: Enter the name of the Superior Court where your case is being heard (e.g., 'Superior Court, Judicial District of Hartford').

D.N./CASE NO.: Enter your case docket number, which can be found on any previous paperwork you have filed or received from the court.

NUMBER OF CHILDREN: Enter the total number of minor children you have with the other parent in this case.

CHILD'S NAME / DATE OF BIRTH: List the full name and date of birth for each minor child involved in this case. If you have more than three children, attach a separate sheet with the additional children's information.

Part I: Net Weekly Income

This is the most critical section of the worksheet. You will calculate each parent's net weekly income by starting with gross income and subtracting only the specific deductions allowed by the Connecticut Guidelines. All amounts must be weekly. If you have a monthly figure, multiply by 12 and then divide by 52. If you have a bi-weekly figure, divide by 2.

Gross income (attach verification): Enter each parent's gross weekly income before any taxes or deductions. This information should match Section I of your Financial Affidavit. You must attach proof, such as recent pay stubs. Example: If you earn $78,000 per year, your weekly gross income is $1,500 ($78,000 / 52). ⚠️ Do not use your take-home pay. You must start with your total gross income.

Number of hours used in calculation: Enter the number of hours per week your gross income calculation is based on (e.g., 40). This helps the court understand if overtime or a second job is included.

Federal, Social Security, Medicare, State and local income tax: Enter the actual weekly amount deducted from your pay for each type of tax. Use your pay stub to find these exact amounts. Do not estimate. If you are self-employed, you will need to calculate your weekly tax liability based on your quarterly estimated payments.

Medical/hospital/dental insurance premiums (including HUSKY) for parent and all legal dependents: Enter the weekly cost you pay for health insurance for yourself and your dependents (including the children in this case). This is only your portion of the premium, not the total amount paid by your employer.

Court-ordered life/disability insurance, mandatory union dues, mandatory uniforms/tools: Enter the weekly cost of any other mandatory, work-related deductions. These must be required by your employer or a court order. Voluntary deductions, like 401(k) contributions, are not allowed here.

Non-arrearage payments on court ordered alimony and child support (for other than parent/child(ren) of this order): If you are under a court order to pay alimony or child support for a different ex-spouse or child from another relationship, enter the weekly amount you pay here.

Amount reserved to support qualified child(ren): This complex section is for parents who support other biological or adopted children who live with them. Follow the sub-lines carefully: 12a: Enter the number of your other children who live with you. 12b: Add the number of children in this case to the number from 12a. 12c: Add up all your deductions from lines 2 through 11. 12d: Subtract your total deductions (12c) from your gross income (line 1). 12e: Using the 'Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations,' find the support amount for your income from 12d and total children from 12b. 12f: Divide the amount from 12e by the number of children from 12b. This is the per-child support amount. Finally, for Line 12 itself, multiply the per-child amount (12f) by the number of qualified children (12a). Enter this result in the main column for Line 12. ⚠️ This is a common area for errors. Read the instructions for each sub-line carefully. If you do not have other children living with you, you will leave this section blank.

Add lines 2 through 12 and enter amount here: Sum up all your deductions from lines 2 through 12. This is your total weekly allowable deductions.

Net weekly income (line 1 – line 13 = ): Subtract your total deductions (Line 13) from your gross income (Line 1). This is your Net Weekly Income, a key figure for the rest of the worksheet.

Part II: Current Support

In this section, you will use the Net Weekly Income figures from Part I and the state's 'Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations' to determine the presumptive weekly support amount.

Combined net weekly income: Add Parent A's Net Weekly Income (Line 14) and Parent B's Net Weekly Income (Line 14). Enter the total in the box. Round this number to the nearest $10.

Basic child support obligation (from Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations): Look at the 'Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations' chart. Find the row that corresponds to your combined net weekly income (Line 15) and the column for the number of children in this case. Enter the dollar amount from the chart here. Example: If your combined net income is $2,000/week and you have 2 children, you would find the corresponding amount on the schedule and enter it here.

Each parent's percentage share of line 15: For each parent, divide their individual Net Weekly Income (Line 14) by the Combined Net Weekly Income (Line 15). The result is their percentage share of the combined income. The two percentages should add up to 100%. Example: If Parent A's net is $1,200 and the combined net is $2,000, Parent A's share is 60% ($1,200 / $2,000).

Each parent's share of the basic child support obligation: For each parent, multiply the Basic Child Support Obligation (Line 16) by their percentage share (Line 17). This shows how much of the basic support amount is attributable to each parent's income.

Social Security dependency benefits adjustment: If the child receives Social Security dependency benefits on behalf of the noncustodial parent (e.g., due to retirement or disability), enter the weekly amount of that benefit in the noncustodial parent's column.

Presumptive current support amount: For the noncustodial parent, subtract any SS benefits (Line 19) from their share of the obligation (Line 18). This result is the 'Presumptive Current Support Amount.' This is the base child support payment. Enter this amount in the noncustodial parent's column and also carry it down to Line 30 on page 2.

Parts III, IV & V: Additional Expenses

These sections calculate each parent's share of unreimbursed medical expenses and work-related childcare costs. The calculation is based on 'Net Disposable Income,' which is different from the 'Net Weekly Income' in Part I.

Net Disposable Income: This calculation determines the income available after basic child support is paid. For the custodial parent, add the support amount (Line 30) to their net income (Line 14). For the noncustodial parent, subtract the support amount (Line 30) from their net income (Line 14). Adjust for any SS benefits on Line 22 to arrive at the final Net Disposable Income for each parent on Line 23.

Each parent's percentage share of combined net disposable income: Add both parents' Line 23 amounts to get the combined total for Line 24. Then, for Line 25, calculate each parent's percentage share of that total (Individual Line 23 / Combined Line 24). These percentages will be used to divide any of the children's medical bills not covered by insurance. Enter these percentages on Line 33b.

Child Care Contribution: This determines the noncustodial parent's share of work-related childcare costs. The calculation depends on whether each parent's income (from Line 23) falls within the 'shaded area' of the 'Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations.' Follow the form's logic carefully to determine the correct percentage, which you will then enter on Line 34b. ⚠️ This is a complex conditional calculation. Read the instructions on the form for lines 27 and 28 very carefully. If there are no childcare costs, you can skip this section.

Parts VI & VII: Arrearage and Summary

This is where you calculate any payments towards past-due support (arrearage) and summarize all the components of the total child support award.

Arrearage Payment: If there is past-due child support, a weekly payment towards that balance must be calculated. The presumptive amount is 20% of the current support order (Line 30 x 0.20). However, if certain conditions apply (e.g., the paying parent is a low-income obligor), you must check the appropriate box (A, B, C, or D) and follow its specific calculation. Enter the final weekly arrearage payment amount here and carry it to Line 31.

Summary of Worksheet / Total Child Support Award Calculation: This section consolidates all your calculations into a final order. Transfer the amounts from the corresponding lines:

• Line 30: Presumptive Current Support (from Line 20)
• Line 31: Arrearage Payment (from Line 29)
• Line 32: The total amount of past-due support owed.
• Line 33: The percentage split for unreimbursed medical expenses (from Line 25 or 26).
• Line 34: The weekly dollar amount for childcare and the noncustodial parent's percentage share (from Lines 27/28).
• Line 35a: The total weekly payment (Line 30 + Line 31 + weekly childcare amount). This is the total cash award.
• Line 35b: Calculates the total award as a percentage of the paying parent's net income.

Part VIII: Deviation Criteria

This section is for asking the court to order a child support amount that is different from the 'presumptive' amount calculated on the worksheet. You must have a legally recognized reason to request a deviation.

Reason(s) for deviation from presumptive support amounts: Review the checklist of possible reasons for deviation. If you believe the calculated support amount is unfair or inappropriate due to one or more of these factors, check all the boxes that apply. Examples include shared physical custody, extraordinary expenses for the child (like private school tuition), or a significant difference in parental income. You must attach a separate sheet explaining in detail why you are requesting a deviation. ⚠️ Simply disagreeing with the amount is not enough. You must have a valid reason that fits one of the listed criteria for the judge to consider a deviation.

Signature Block

The final step is to sign and date the form.

PREPARED BY / TITLE / DATE: Enter your name in the 'PREPARED BY' field. If you are representing yourself, you can write 'Self-Represented' or 'Parent A/B' in the 'TITLE' field. Enter the date you completed the form.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Monthly/Bi-Weekly Income: The form requires all financial figures to be weekly. Convert all income and expenses to their weekly equivalent before entering them.
2. Incorrect Gross Income: Using net (take-home) pay instead of gross (pre-tax) pay on Line 1. The entire calculation is based on gross income.
3. Errors in the Qualified Child Deduction (Line 12): This multi-step calculation is complex and easy to miscalculate. Follow the sub-lines (12a-12f) precisely.
4. Forgetting to Attach Verification: You must attach proof of income (like pay stubs) to the worksheet when you file it with the court.
5. Ignoring Low-Income Obligor Rules: The guidelines have special rules for parents with low incomes (low-income obligors). These rules can affect the calculation for medical and childcare contributions. Failing to apply them when appropriate is a common error.
6. Not Requesting a Deviation When Appropriate: If you have a valid reason for the support amount to be different (e.g., shared custody), you must check the boxes in Section VIII and provide a written explanation. If you don't, the judge will likely order the presumptive amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations' and where do I find it? It is a table created by the State of Connecticut that shows the combined, basic child support obligation for parents based on their combined net weekly income and the number of children they have. It is a critical part of the calculation. You can find the most current version on the Connecticut Judicial Branch website, usually as part of the official Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines packet.

What if the other parent refuses to provide their financial information? Both parents are legally required to disclose their financial information in cases involving child support. If the other parent refuses, you can file a 'Motion to Compel' with the court, asking a judge to order them to provide the documents. If they still refuse, the judge has the authority to 'impute' income to them—meaning, the judge will assign an income level based on their education, work history, and earning potential, and then calculate child support based on that assumed income.

Do we have to use this form if we've already agreed on a child support amount? Yes. Even if you and the other parent have reached an agreement, the court requires you to complete and submit the worksheet. The judge will use it to ensure your agreed-upon amount is reasonable and not substantially different from the state's guidelines. If your agreement deviates from the guideline amount, you will need to note that in Section VIII.

What does 'shared physical custody' mean for this worksheet? The standard worksheet calculation assumes one parent is the primary custodian. If you have a shared physical custody arrangement where parenting time and expenses are more evenly split, the presumptive calculation may not be appropriate. In this situation, you should check the 'shared physical custody' box in the Deviation Criteria (Section VIII) and explain your parenting arrangement. Often, parties in a shared custody situation will prepare two worksheets—one with each parent as the custodian—to show the court different possibilities.

What is a 'low-income obligor'? A 'low-income obligor' is a noncustodial parent whose net weekly income is below a certain threshold set by the Connecticut guidelines (currently $249/week). There are special, more lenient rules for calculating their share of medical and childcare expenses to ensure the total support order is manageable.

Next Steps

After you have completely filled out the Worksheet for Child Support:

1. Review and Sign: Double-check all your calculations for accuracy. Sign and date the form.
2. Attach Documents: Make a packet that includes the completed CCSG-001 worksheet, your signed Financial Affidavit, and your income verification (e.g., three recent pay stubs).
3. Make Copies: Make at least two copies of the entire packet. You will need one for your records and one to provide to the other parent.
4. File with the Court: File the original packet with the Superior Court clerk's office where your case is located.
5. Serve the Other Party: Provide a copy of the complete packet to the other parent or their attorney, following the court's rules for service.

The judge will review your worksheet, the other parent's worksheet, and your financial affidavits. The court will then issue a formal child support order. This order may match the presumptive amount on your worksheet or it may be different if the judge agrees that a deviation is warranted.