What Massachusetts Parents Should Know: December 1, 2025 Child Support Update

As of December 1, 2025, Massachusetts courts will begin using updated child support guidelines — a significant change that could affect many families across Boston, Metro-West Boston, [MP1] South Shore, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and beyond.

 Key Changes Under the 2025 Guidelines

•     Higher income cap for support calculations: The combined parental income threshold used to calculate base child support has increased from $400,000 to $450,000 per year
•     Adjusted support formula percentages.
•     Updated child-care cost sharing: The guidelines clarify how reasonable out-of-pocket child care costs (including camps or activity-based care) should be handled. Child care paid by a parent — not a third-party — may now be factored into support if the services are necessary to allow the parent to work, train, or attend school.
•     Recognition of families with more than two legal parents: Thanks to the 2025 update, in line with the earlier Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA), courts now explicitly recognize that a child may have more than two legal parents. When that’s the case, the support calculation may be adapted — courts will “consider the financial circumstances and parenting time of the legal parents” to reach an equitable result.

What This Means for Families in Metro-West, South Shore & Duxbury

For many families in the Boston Metro-West suburbs or South Shore, these changes may lead to higher support orders — especially where parents' combined incomes approach or exceed the prior cap, or when child-care expenses are substantial. It also means that modern family structures — including multi-parent households — are more likely to be accommodated under the law, giving flexibility and recognition to diverse parenting arrangements.

If you have an existing child support or custody order, this may be a good time to review it with an experienced family-law attorney. The new guidelines can serve as a legitimate basis to request a modification if your circumstances (income, childcare costs, parenting time, or family structure) have changed.

Why Choose Long Hagan Huff-Harris for Your Family Law Needs

At Long Hagan Huff-Harris, we understand that every family is unique. Whether you’re dealing with high-income support calculations, navigating co-parenting with more than two legal parents, or facing substantial child-care costs — our firm is well-versed in the 2025 Massachusetts child support framework.

With deep roots in the Metro-West and South Shore communities, we offer:

•     Personalized guidance through the revised guidelines
•     Skilled representation when seeking modifications
•     Sensitive handling of modern family dynamics (blended families, multi-parent households)
•     Local knowledge of courts and family law practices in the region

If you or someone you know could benefit from a review of your child support or custody order under the new guidelines, please contact us to schedule a consultation.