David Sussman, SJ for the lawyer Excellent attorney, negotiates very well but shark if court or similar needed, staff is the best and covers for his weak spots (bad with numbers, so double check on that stuff. Child Support formula should be readily available, probably for free- other poster near top is correct that each factor is put in and a hard number comes out. Remember that daycare costs are in ADDITION to that, and will be a major expense after separation and you working again- norm is to divide using the same percentage as time with children or a straight x/x. SS depends on many factors: How long is the marriage? How old are the children (think cost vs benefit relating to income vs childcare cost)? How long have you not worked? How hard would it be to get employed? At what salary? What are your future prospects? In general, if you take x% HIS net salary and deduct x% of YOUR net salary- that is the basis for temporary SS IF other reasons to grant it are met. The 'rule' about a minimum of x year marriages are myth- the general ruling consensus is x/x the marital period IF you are not capable of earning income similar to his (they use the lifestyle during marriage test typiy), but expect to have to fight for it on some level. Very young children that make working unfeasible financially, severely outdated or minimal work skills, depressed job market, and the obvious 'will never earn close to what he is' tests are common. But expect to have to TRY HARD to find a job- pretty much ANY job regardless. The rest of the financial picture in division of assets and debts often plays into the whole SS as monthly payments or lump sum option, and that aspect of the divorce is probably a much larger issue for your long-term financial future than SS honestly.