Child custody and support in Montana

Custody and child support in a Montana divorce: the legal term for custody, the official support calculator and the child support agency.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026

In short

Montana law uses the term “parenting plan (parenting time and decision-making)” for custody. Montana publishes an official child support calculator or guidelines.

Custody term: Parenting plan (parenting time and decision-making)
Child support calculator: Official child support calculator or guidelines
Child support agency: Montana DPHHS Child Support Services Division (CSSD)

Custody terms in Montana

Parenting plan (parenting time and decision-making)

Child support in Montana

Child support follows Montana's guidelines. Estimate it with the official calculator, and contact the state's child support agency for help setting up or collecting it.

Good to know

No change found to the core divorce statutes (40-4-104, -105, -108, -202, -203) in 2024-2026; Montana child support guideline tables were updated effective Feb. 1, 2026 (CSSD).

Children in a Montana divorce: what the process includes

Custody
The court's orders use Montana's term for custody: parenting plan (parenting time and decision-making).
Child support
Estimate it first: the official calculator
The child support agency
For help setting up or collecting support, contact the state's child support agency.

Questions about custody and child support in Montana

What is child custody called in Montana?

Montana uses the term “parenting plan (parenting time and decision-making)”.

Is there an official child support calculator for Montana?

Yes. Montana's official calculator or guidelines: the official calculator

Which agency handles child support in Montana?

Montana DPHHS Child Support Services Division (CSSD).

More about divorce in Montana

Custody and support in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.