Child support is computed according the New Mexico Child Support Guidelines.  The guidelines and the worksheet are strictly followed by the courts except in very limited situations.  To calculate the support in your case, click here and follow the steps.  Once you have completed the process, and assuming you have entered correct financial figures, you will have a child support figure very close to what the Court will order. 

Because child support is calculated by a statutorily defined formula and not subject to deviation, it is unwise to dispute support unless there are honest disputes over the figures to be entered into the worksheet. 

The first figure to be entered is the amount of time to be spent with each parent.  If one parent has the child over 65% of the time, the court will use worksheet A to reflect primary physical custody with one of the parents.  If not, the court will use Worksheet B which reflects a more equalized time-sharing between the parties. 

Once the time-sharing is determined, which may be hotly contested in the custody dispute, you will enter gross monthly income for you and your ex.  You will enter monthly medical, dental and eye insurance premiums.  You will enter monthly daycare expenses.  You may also enter other extraordinary monthly expenses associated with the care of the child.  These are generally limited to medical or dental care for the child.  It does not include private school, extracurricular activities, or other non-essential monthly expenses.