Reviewed for current 2026 law

Rhode Island Child Support Arrears Calculator

Model the unusually high statutory interest rate without hiding its court-relief exception.

Reviewed by SupportDecode Editorial Team Page content reviewed Sources Methodology Update log

arrears calculator

Arrears owed

The unpaid support amount itself, before any interest.

Accrual period
How do you want to enter the period?

Estimated arrears with interest: $5,006.00

Interest of $6.00 at 0.12% simple per year (R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.5).

How this estimate was computed
Line itemAmount
Arrears principalR.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.5 — Interest on unpaid child support (Rhode Island General Assembly)$5,000.00
Simple interest at 0.12% per year for 12 month(s) (R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.5)Past-due support generally accrues 12% annual interest. Family Court may relieve interest for good cause, and payment timing should be verified before relying on a projection.R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.5 — Interest on unpaid child support (Rhode Island General Assembly)$6.00
Arrears principal plus interestR.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.5 — Interest on unpaid child support (Rhode Island General Assembly)$5,006.00

Assumptions

  • Accrual period expressed as 12 month(s); partial months prorate.

Estimate only. The court or state agency calculation controls.

Rhode Island arrears interest under R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.5; rules last reviewed 2026-08-10.

Past-due support generally earns 12%

Section 15-5-16.5 applies 12% annual interest to unpaid support.

Family Court can relieve interest for good cause, so a ledger projection is not a judgment balance.

Annual rate
12%source
Method
Simple interestsource
Relief
Good-cause discretionsource

Use dated principal balances

A single-balance estimate cannot reproduce changing monthly delinquencies or credits.

What this estimate includes

  • 12% simple projection

What it leaves out

  • Payment-by-payment ledger
  • Good-cause ruling
  • Fees and credits

Rhode Island arrears calculator FAQs

What rate applies?

The statute states 12% annually.

Is it compound interest?

This projection uses simple interest.

Can interest be relieved?

Yes, Family Court may grant relief for good cause.

Does every missed installment share one start date?

No.

Is this the official balance?

No.

Should prior orders be checked?

Yes.

Official sources

Official sources last verified: .

Changelog: page reviewed . Material changes appear in the update log.