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Estimate in seconds what a Colombian family court or conciliator would likely set as child support (the Colombian legal term pensión alimenticia) in a Colombia–United States case. This free calculator applies the real legal criteria used in Colombia — the needs of the child and the economic capacity of the obligor — and gives you a realistic monthly range in Colombian pesos (COP) and U.S. dollars (USD).
Indicative estimate based on the percentage ranges typically used by conciliators and family judges in Colombia (the child’s needs + the obligor’s economic capacity, Articles 411 et seq. of the Civil Code and Childhood and Adolescence Code, Law 1098 of 2006).
⚖ This tool is a reference estimate and does not constitute legal advice. The final amount is set case by case by the judge or conciliator, based on the child’s real needs, the obligor’s economic capacity and the family’s standard of living. In cross-border cases (parent living in the United States), international cooperation rules also apply.
Book a consultation with a lawyer →Unlike the United States, where most states use a strict income-shares or percentage-of-income formula, Colombia has no statutory child support percentage. There is no "20% for one child" written into law. Instead, Article 411 and following of the Colombian Civil Code and the Childhood and Adolescence Code (Law 1098 of 2006) instruct the judge or conciliator to weigh:
Because the law is discretionary, two families with the same income can end up with different amounts. That is also why a good calculation plus good evidence is what actually moves the number — not a magic formula.
Even though there is no official table, Colombian conciliators and family lawyers routinely work with these reference bands (which the calculator uses):
| Children | Reference range (% of net income) |
|---|---|
| 1 child | 20% – 30% |
| 2 children | 30% – 40% |
| 3 children | 35% – 45% |
| 4 or more | 40% – 50% (capped) |
On top of that base, education and uncovered health costs are usually split between both parents in proportion to their incomes (often 50/50). The calculator adds 50% of those extras to the estimate.
The hard ceiling in practice is that the obligor must keep enough income to live — orders above ~50% of net income are rare and frequently appealed.
Raises it:
Lowers it:
Cross-border (U.S.–Colombia): when the obligor earns in USD and the child lives in Colombia, the judge converts at the prevailing rate and usually orders payment in Colombian pesos (COP). Use the editable exchange-rate field in the calculator to test different scenarios (for example, a strong or weak dollar).
Many of our clients are U.S. citizens or residents with children in Colombia after a separation, divorce or international custody case. The Colombian rules above still apply, but three extra points matter:
If your case is binational, the estimate above is a starting point — the real number depends on the evidence you present and on the judge or conciliator.
Typical timeline: 2 to 6 months for a straightforward case; longer if the obligor is abroad and must be served.
No. Colombia has no official percentage table. Judges and conciliators estimate the amount from the child's needs and the obligor's capacity, using reference ranges. The calculator applies those reference ranges as a starting point.
For a typical case it falls between 20% and 50% of the obligor's net monthly income, plus a share of education and uncovered health expenses. A single child with a middle-income parent often lands around 20–30% of income.
The basic amount covers food, housing and basic needs. Education and uncovered medical costs are usually added on top and split between both parents in proportion to their incomes (often 50/50).
Yes. If the child resides in Colombia, Colombian family courts can order support regardless of where the obligor lives, and the order can be enforced in the U.S. through UIFSA and the Hague maintenance conventions.
Identity documents of both parents, the child's birth certificate, proof of residence, the obligor's income evidence (pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements), and proof of the child's expenses (school receipts, medical bills, therapy invoices).
Either parent can request modification when there is a substantial change in income or in the child's needs. The process starts with a conciliation or a family court petition. Courts generally will not modify without documented changed circumstances.
The beneficiary can enforce the order (embargo of wages or assets) and, in serious cases, the obligor can face criminal liability for abandonment of family support under Colombian law.
Until the child reaches the age of majority (18) and is economically independent; it can extend if the child is still studying or has a disability.
Yes — through a conciliation center or a notarial agreement, which is faster and cheaper than litigation and still produces an enforceable title.
Yes, it can be claimed retroactively from the date of the petition or, in some cases, from the date the obligation arose, subject to evidence.
This calculator is for reference only. Every case is different — especially cross-border cases involving the United States and Colombia, where jurisdiction, evidence and enforcement add layers that a number alone cannot capture.
If you want a realistic estimate and a strategy for your situation, book a consultation with a Colombian family law attorney who handles international cases.
Disclaimer: This calculator and text are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. The amounts are estimates based on reference ranges used in Colombian family law practice; the competent judge or conciliator sets the final amount. Laws, exchange rates and court practice change — verify with a lawyer. Last updated: 2026.