Parents in Alaska often start their child support journey with a lot of questions. This guide explains how an experienced child support lawyer helps you understand Alaska Civil Rule 90.3, how to work with the Child Support Services Division (CSSD), when to modify an order, and what to expect if your case involves interstate issues under UIFSA or wage withholding. You will also find links to official Alaska resources, plain-language examples, and checklists. BFQ Law Alaska is a child support law firm based in Anchorage that provides child support legal services as part of its family law practice, along with personal injury, civil litigation, wills trusts & estates, settlement/dispute, and mediation. The firm is located at 807 G Street, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99501, and you can contact the team through the BFQ Law Alaska contact page or email blake@BFQLaw.com. This article also covers practical concerns like medical support, daycare credits, PFD garnishment, and wage withholding for civilian and military pay.
Table of Contents
- ➤ Why hire a child support lawyer in Anchorage
- ➤ Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 basics and percentages
- ➤ Required forms, worksheets, and calculators
- ➤ Primary, shared, divided, and hybrid custody under Rule 90.3
- ➤ Income, overtime, bonuses, self-employment, and imputation
- ➤ Medical support and child care credits
- ➤ Enforcement, wage withholding, arrears, and contempt
- ➤ Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) deductions and garnishment
- ➤ Interstate cases and UIFSA registration/modification
- ➤ When and how to modify child support
- ➤ Military families and tribal child support programs
- ➤ Parenting plans, schedules, and travel expense allocations
- ➤ How BFQ Law Alaska works your case
- ➤ FAQs
- ➤ Talk to an Anchorage child support attorney
- ➤ Educational information and important notes
Why hire a child support lawyer in Anchorage
Working with a child support lawyer ensures you apply Alaska law correctly, complete the proper forms, and present clear proof of income and expenses. BFQ Law Alaska helps parents calculate support under Alaska Civil Rule 90.3, handle CSSD communications, pursue enforcement or defense of enforcement, and prepare for hearings. If you searched for a child support lawyer near me Anchorage or Anchorage child support lawyer, you are likely trying to solve real issues such as how to modify child support in Alaska Rule 90.3, how seasonal work affects support, or how to coordinate child support and custody.
We also advise on related topics like wage garnishment child support lawyer issues, paternity and child support attorney questions for unmarried parents, child support mediation lawyer options, and custody and child support attorney strategy in divorce and legal separation. Our child support legal services include settlement discussions, mediation, court representation, and collaboration with financial professionals when needed.
Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 basics and percentages
Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 sets the formula for calculating support. Courts begin with the non-custodial parent’s adjusted annual income and apply a percentage: 20% for one child, 27% for two, 33% for three, plus 3% for each additional child. The rule also contains a high income consideration that limits the portion of adjusted income used for calculation and explains how extended visitation may reduce payments during long visits. You can read the rule in full through the Alaska Court System’s official publication on Civil Rule 90.3. The Self-Help Center also summarizes key points in its child support FAQs.
Lawyers sometimes call these documents the “child support order,” but they are supported by a child support worksheet and affidavit, which capture income, deductions, health insurance premiums, and child care costs. We regularly file and review these on behalf of clients as a child support attorney or Alaska child support attorney of record.
Required forms, worksheets, and calculators
Key Alaska court forms
- ➤ Child Support Guidelines Affidavit DR-305: required in most cases. See the official fill-in DR-305 affidavit.
- ➤ How to Calculate Child Support Under Civil Rule 90.3 DR-310: a detailed booklet that shows examples, including shared custody scenarios. See the Court System’s child support forms and information page for DR-310.
- ➤ The child support order form (combined order and modification) often used by Alaska courts includes sections for uncovered health care costs and travel. An example is the DR-303.
Using calculators with attorney guidance
Parents often search for Alaska child support calculator attorney guidance while budgeting. Calculators are helpful, but they still require correct inputs for adjusted annual income, parenting time, health insurance, and child care. A child support lawyer Anchorage AK will verify documentation, check deductions allowed by Rule 90.3, and identify issues like seasonal income or self-employment. This is where a child support consultation is valuable.
Primary, shared, divided, and hybrid custody under Rule 90.3
Primary physical custody
In primary custody, one parent has the child most of the year. The other parent (the obligor) pays support based on the percentage schedule in Rule 90.3.
Shared physical custody
In shared custody, support considers each parent’s adjusted income and their percentage of overnights. A custody schedule that reaches shared levels can lower the obligation proportionally. Extended visitation can allow temporary reductions during long visits, if specified in the order. See Rule 90.3 and the Court’s support FAQs for examples.
Divided and hybrid custody
Divided custody occurs when each parent has primary custody of at least one child. Hybrid custody is a mix of primary and shared across different children in the same family. In divided or hybrid arrangements, the court offsets the calculated obligations to reach a net amount. Understanding these categories helps align the parenting plan and support calculation so that parenting time and support work together fairly for both sides.
Income, overtime, bonuses, self-employment, and imputation
Adjusted annual income and deductions
- ➤ Adjusted annual income includes wages, salary, tips, commissions, and most other income.
- ➤ Allowable deductions can include mandatory taxes and certain court-recognized expenses. The details appear in Rule 90.3.
Overtime and seasonal work
Anchorage has many seasonal jobs. Courts can average income over a reasonable period to reflect overtime, bonuses, or shift differentials. If the non-custodial parent’s income is seasonal, the order can set unequal monthly amounts across the year.
Self-employment and potential income
Self-employed parents need careful documentation. The court may impute potential income if a parent is voluntarily underemployed or if assets generate little income. See the discussion of potential income in Rule 90.3.
High income situations
Rule 90.3 includes a cap on the adjusted income used for basic calculation and permits additional support above the cap if justified by the child’s needs and the parent’s ability to pay. For background, review the Court’s support FAQs.
We counsel clients on specialized issues like high income child support Alaska calculation lawyer questions, self employed child support calculation Alaska attorney strategies, and overtime and bonus child support Alaska lawyer analysis.
Medical support and child care credits
Orders must address health insurance and reasonable health care expenses not covered by insurance. The forms and the rule describe how to allocate these costs between parents. See DR-303’s health care section and the medical support provisions referenced in Rule 90.3 and related Alaska statutes. Review the Court’s child support information page for links to DR-310 and related guidance.
- ➤ Medical support Alaska: who carries insurance, how premiums are allocated, and how uncovered expenses are reimbursed within the deadlines in the order.
- ➤ Daycare childcare credits child support Alaska lawyer perspective: the court can account for work-related child care expenses in the calculation.
- ➤ Healthcare and child support Alaska attorney topics include dental, vision, and counseling costs built into orders.
Enforcement, wage withholding, arrears, and contempt
Enforcement happens through the courts and through the Alaska Child Support Services Division. CSSD can collect payments, track arrears, and coordinate with employers for wage withholding. See CSSD’s home page for contact details and services at the State of Alaska’s Child Support Services Division. Their information pages also cover payment portals and employer reporting.
- ➤ Wage withholding child support Alaska attorney guidance: most orders include income withholding. Employers deduct support and send it to the appropriate agency.
- ➤ Child support enforcement help Anchorage includes seeking judgments for arrears, pursuing contempt when appropriate, and negotiating repayment plans.
- ➤ Unpaid child support arrears Alaska lawyer strategies can include intercepts, liens, and, for some cases, license actions through the agency.
If you receive a notice from CSSD or the court regarding enforcement, a child support enforcement lawyer can review the figures, confirm credits, and verify that payments were applied correctly.
Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) deductions and garnishment
Many parents ask about Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend impacts. CSSD can take all or part of an annual PFD to pay child support arrears, subject to statutory rules. The agency provides an overview on its PFD information page and PFD also explains garnishment and deductions on its site under PFD payments and deductions. If your dividend is garnished, PFD notes you will receive a notice and can view deductions in your myPFD account in the PFD FAQ.
- ➤ PFD garnishment child support attorney Alaska: planning for intercepts and ensuring arrears accounting is accurate.
- ➤ Alaska CSSD lawyer support: coordinating with CSSD on arrearage balances and addressing disputes about amounts owed.
Interstate cases and UIFSA registration/modification
When an order was issued in another state, Alaska follows UIFSA for registering, enforcing, or modifying that order. The Alaska Court System’s jurisdiction FAQ explains that the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act is codified at AS 25.25.101 et seq., with procedures for registering foreign orders. See the Court’s jurisdiction FAQ and the legislative materials for Alaska’s UIFSA updates, such as the HB 106 analysis.
- ➤ UIFSA interstate child support Alaska lawyer tasks include registration, contesting jurisdiction, and modification standards.
- ➤ Modify out of state child support order in Alaska attorney steps require careful notice and venue selection.
When and how to modify child support
Parents call about reduce child support after job loss Alaska, increase child support for increased income Alaska, or changes from shared custody 50 50 child support Alaska attorney questions. Under Rule 90.3 and related court guidance, a significant change in income or parenting time can justify a modification. Seasonal workers can seek orders that fit the income pattern across the year. If you experience long overtime periods or layoffs, talk to an Alaska child support attorney for modification about filing early. Delays can increase arrears.
- ➤ Temporary child support order Alaska attorney actions while a case is pending.
- ➤ Emergency child support order Alaska attorney options in urgent cases.
- ➤ Child support back pay negotiation Alaska attorney solutions, including stipulations and payment plans.
Parents also raise paternity testing and child support Anchorage attorney issues, especially for unmarried parents. Establishing legal paternity is necessary for a support order and can be handled through CSSD or the courts, often with genetic testing.
Military families and tribal child support programs
Military pay and income withholding
Child support obligations can be collected from military pay through garnishment processes administered by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. For procedural guidance and schedules, see DFAS resources for garnishment and military child support withholding. A child support lawyer can coordinate the order language so payments process smoothly.
Tribal child support programs
Some Alaska tribal organizations operate child support programs under federal Tribal IV-D rules. The U.S. Administration for Children and Families provides contact lists for tribal child support agencies, and the federal regulations for Tribal IV-D are in 45 CFR Part 309. If your case touches state, tribal, or federal benefits, a tribal court child support Alaska lawyer can help you understand jurisdiction and enforcement.
Parenting plans, schedules, and travel expense allocations
Parenting plans determine overnights and schedules, which affect support in shared arrangements. Courts can also allocate reasonable travel expenses needed to exercise visitation under Rule 90.3. That matters when parents live far apart or when travel is seasonal or weather dependent.
- ➤ Parenting plan and child support Anchorage attorney alignment ensures the order reflects real parenting time.
- ➤ Relocation and child support Alaska lawyer guidance is essential if a move changes overnights or costs.
- ➤ Step parent and child support questions Alaska attorney consultations can clear up common misconceptions about who is responsible to pay.
How BFQ Law Alaska works your case
As an Anchorage child support attorney team, we begin with your goals and a clear review of Rule 90.3. We prepare the DR-305 child support guidelines affidavit and gather proof of earnings, tax returns, and expenses. We also prepare for any proof of daycare, medical premiums, and uncovered health care reimbursements. If your case involves wage withholding, CSSD coordination, or PFD intercepts, we handle the details.
- ➤ We represent parents in contempt of court child support Alaska attorney proceedings when appropriate.
- ➤ We help with Alaska child support enforcement help Anchorage, including arrears accounting and judgments.
- ➤ We handle parenting schedule changes that trigger shared custody calculations, including 50-50 plans.
- ➤ We advise on Alaska child support calculator attorney guidance and review any figures produced by calculators or agencies.
We also serve nearby communities. If you searched Eagle River child support lawyer near Anchorage, or Wasilla Palmer child support attorney Alaska, we invite you to reach out. You can meet with an Anchorage downtown child support attorney 99501 at our office at 807 G Street, Suite 100. For fast scheduling, use the BFQ Law Alaska contact page or email blake@BFQLaw.com.
FAQs
How is child support calculated for one, two, or three children?
Courts apply the Rule 90.3 percentage to adjusted annual income. The percentages are 20% for one child, 27% for two, 33% for three, plus 3% for each additional child. See the Alaska Court System’s official text of Rule 90.3.
Can support change if I lose my job or work fewer hours?
Yes, a substantial change in income may justify a modification. File promptly to avoid arrears. An Alaska child support attorney for modification can prepare the DR-305 and supporting proof to show the change.
What if I have seasonal income or significant overtime?
Orders can account for seasonal patterns or variable overtime, and courts can average income or set unequal monthly amounts, consistent with Rule 90.3.
What is medical support and who pays for it?
Medical support refers to health insurance and reasonable uncovered health care expenses. Orders allocate premiums and set reimbursement rules. See the Court’s forms and information page and the DR-303 example order language.
How does the PFD affect child support?
CSSD can take all or part of a Permanent Fund Dividend to pay child support arrears. See the CSSD PFD information and PFD’s deductions page.
How do interstate orders work under UIFSA?
If your order is from another state, Alaska’s UIFSA statutes govern registration, enforcement, and possible modification. See the Court’s jurisdiction FAQ.
Can the court impute income if a parent is underemployed?
Yes. Courts may use potential income when appropriate, especially if a parent is voluntarily underemployed or has low-producing assets. See Rule 90.3.
Will the military withhold support from pay?
DFAS can process withholding from military pay with proper orders. See DFAS guidance for military child support withholding.
Talk to an Anchorage child support attorney
If you need a divorce and child support lawyer, a child support modification attorney, or help with paternity and child support, BFQ Law Alaska is ready to help. Call, email, or visit us in downtown Anchorage. Internal inquiries should use the BFQ Law Alaska contact page to open within the same tab.
- ➤ Address: 807 G Street, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99501
- ➤ Email: blake@BFQLaw.com
- ➤ Practice areas: personal injury, family law, civil litigation, wills trusts & estates, settlement/dispute, and mediation
Educational information and important notes
- ➤ This article is for general information only and is not legal advice.
- ➤ Laws and procedures can change. Always consult current Alaska rules and forms.
- ➤ For legal advice tailored to your case, contact BFQ Law Alaska via the contact page.
Address and contact reminder: BFQ Law Alaska, 807 G Street, Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99501. Contact through the BFQ Law Alaska contact page or email blake@BFQLaw.com.
