South Dakota · Custody and support · Updated Oct 2026
Child custody and support in South Dakota
Custody and child support in a South Dakota divorce: the legal term for custody, the official support calculator, custody mediation and the child support agency.
In short
South Dakota law uses the term “custody and visitation (parenting time; Standard Guidelines / Shared Parenting Guidelines)” for custody. South Dakota publishes an official child support calculator or guidelines.
- Custody term
- Custody and visitation (parenting time; Standard Guidelines / Shared Parenting Guidelines)
- Child support calculator
- Official child support calculator or guidelines
- Child support agency
- South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support
Custody terms in South Dakota
Custody and visitation (parenting time; Standard Guidelines / Shared Parenting Guidelines)
Mediation
Required in custody or visitation disputes between parents: the court must order mediation, except in cases of domestic abuse conviction and similar situations. SDCL 25-4-56.
Child support in South Dakota
- Child support calculator: Official child support calculator or guidelines
- Child support agency: South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support
Good to know
Mediation is mandatory for parents' custody and visitation disputes, with DV exceptions. (SDCL 25-4-56)
Children in a South Dakota divorce: what the process includes
Custody
The court's orders use South Dakota's term for custody: custody and visitation (parenting time; Standard Guidelines / Shared Parenting Guidelines).
Mediation
Required in custody or visitation disputes between parents: the court must order mediation, except in cases of domestic abuse conviction and similar situations.
Child support
The official calculator or guidelines: Official child support calculator or guidelines
The child support agency
South Dakota's child support agency: South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support
Questions about custody and child support in South Dakota
What is child custody called in South Dakota?
South Dakota uses the term “custody and visitation (parenting time; Standard Guidelines / Shared Parenting Guidelines)”.
Is there an official child support calculator for South Dakota?
Yes. South Dakota's official calculator or guidelines: Official child support calculator or guidelines
Which agency handles child support in South Dakota?
South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support.
Is mediation required for custody in South Dakota?
Required in custody or visitation disputes between parents: the court must order mediation, except in cases of domestic abuse conviction and similar situations. SDCL 25-4-56.
More about divorce in South Dakota
- All South Dakota divorce laws
- Uncontested divorce in South Dakota
- South Dakota divorce forms and filing fees
- Serving divorce papers in South Dakota
- Divorce timeline estimator for South Dakota
- Divorce checklist for South Dakota
- How to file for divorce without a lawyer
- Served with divorce papers: what to do
Custody and support in nearby states
- Official child support calculator or guidelines
- South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support
- SDCL 25-4-2
- SDCL 25-4-30
- SDCL 25-4-34
- SDCL 25-4-41
- SDCL 25-4-44
- SDCL 25-4-47
- SDCL 25-4-56
- SD UJS: Divorce Information & Forms
- SD UJS: Schedule of Court Costs (FY2027 PDF)
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.