Indiana Child Support Calculator
Estimate Indiana child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under Indiana Child Support Guidelines (Ind. Code § 31-16-6). Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.
Indiana follows the Income Shares model under the Indiana Child Support Guidelines. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that income level and number of children, then prorates the obligation between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of the combined income.
Indiana uses a shared-care formula, so overnights matter. The court applies a parenting-time credit calculated under the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, which reduces the support number based on how many overnights the paying parent provides. More overnights generally mean a larger credit and a lower payment. The on-page calculator only estimates this, so confirm your overnight count and the resulting credit on the official Indiana worksheet.
Under the Indiana Child Support Guidelines, the cost of the child's portion of a health insurance premium is treated as an adjustment in the calculation. The premium attributable to the children is factored in and shared between the parents according to their percentage shares of combined income. Because this affects the bottom-line number, enter accurate premium figures, and remember the official worksheet controls the final amount.
Indiana counts work-related child care as an adjustment in the support calculation. Daycare and similar costs that a parent pays to be able to work are added to the basic obligation and then divided between both parents in proportion to their income shares. The calculator on this page estimates that split, but the Indiana Child Support Guidelines and the official worksheet determine the final figure.
The guideline number from the Indiana Child Support Guidelines is presumed correct, but a judge may deviate when applying it would be unjust or inappropriate in a specific case. The parent asking for a different amount must show the court why the deviation is justified, and the judge must put written findings in the record explaining the departure. This calculator cannot predict a deviation, so treat its result as an estimate, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Indiana?
Indiana uses the Income Shares model under the Indiana Child Support Guidelines (Ind. Code section 31-16-6). The court combines both parents' weekly gross incomes, then looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that combined income and the number of children. That obligation is prorated between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of the combined income. The court then applies adjustments such as health insurance, work-related child care, and the parenting-time credit. The result is an estimate of what each parent contributes. The official Indiana worksheet controls the final order, so use this page only as a starting point.
Is there an official Indiana child support worksheet I have to use?
Yes. The Indiana Child Support Guidelines require the support figure to be calculated on the official child support obligation worksheet, which is the controlling form the court relies on. The Indiana Child Support Bureau, part of the Department of Child Services, and the state courts publish the guidelines and an official calculator. You can see the rules at in.gov/courts/rules/child_support and the agency at in.gov/dcs/child-support. The calculator on this page mirrors the same Income Shares method, but it only produces an estimate. The worksheet a judge signs is what actually sets your support amount.
How do overnights and shared parenting change child support in Indiana?
Indiana applies a shared-care formula, so the number of overnights the paying parent has affects the support amount. Using the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, the court calculates a parenting-time credit that lowers the basic obligation as overnights increase. A near-equal schedule produces a larger credit than an every-other-weekend schedule. Because the credit depends on an accurate overnight count, small differences can shift the number. This page estimates the effect, but the official Indiana worksheet, and ultimately the judge, determine how your specific parenting schedule changes the final support figure.
How are self-employment income, bonuses, and overtime counted in Indiana?
The Indiana Child Support Guidelines use weekly gross income from any source, so bonuses and overtime are generally part of income unless the court finds they are truly non-recurring. For self-employed parents, income includes net earnings from self-employment, partnership distributions, and ownership income, which means business deductions are scrutinized to find true available income. Means-tested public benefits are excluded. Because irregular income can be averaged or adjusted by a judge, the estimate here may differ from your order. Confirm the income figures on the official worksheet, and consider a licensed Indiana attorney for complicated income.
What happens if a parent is unemployed or underemployed in Indiana?
When an Indiana court believes a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, it can impute income, meaning it bases support on what that parent could reasonably earn rather than what they actually report. The court looks at work history, education, skills, and local job opportunities. This keeps a parent from lowering support by quitting or taking less work on purpose. Imputed income is a judgment call by the court, so this calculator cannot reflect it. Treat any result as an estimate, and raise an imputation argument directly with the court or your Title IV-D caseworker.
When does child support end in Indiana?
Indiana child support typically ends when the child reaches age 19, because Indiana lowered the emancipation age for child support from 21 to 19, with limited exceptions. Two situations can extend financial responsibility. A separate educational support order can require contribution toward post-secondary college expenses, and a child who is disabled may receive continuing support as an adult. Support does not automatically stop on its own in every case, so check the terms of your specific order. This page gives an estimate, not legal advice, and the court order controls the actual end date.
How do I modify an existing Indiana child support order?
In Indiana you can ask for a modification by petitioning the court that issued the order, or by requesting a review through your local Title IV-D agency run under the Indiana Child Support Bureau. Modification is generally supported when there is a 20 percent variance between your existing order and a new guideline calculation, or when the order is at least 12 months old. You will still recalculate support under the current Indiana Child Support Guidelines using updated incomes and parenting time. Use this calculator to see whether your numbers may have changed enough, then confirm with the court.