Kansas Child Support Calculator

Estimate Kansas child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under Kansas Child Support Guidelines (Kan. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order). Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

Kansas follows the Income Shares model under the Kansas 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.

Kansas reduces support for parenting time through a parenting-time adjustment that scales with the number of overnights each parent has. When parents share care more equally, the Kansas Child Support Guidelines also allow a shared-care formula that recognizes both households carry direct costs for the children. The more overnights you exercise, the larger the potential adjustment, but the judge still applies the guideline schedule first. This on-page tool gives an estimate only, and the official worksheet controls the final figure.

Under the Kansas Child Support Guidelines, the cost of the child's health, dental, and vision insurance premium is added into the support calculation as an adjustment. The premium for the children's portion of coverage is generally split between the parents in proportion to their share of combined income, the same way the basic obligation is prorated. The parent who actually pays the premium typically receives credit for it on the worksheet. Enter your real premium amounts so the estimate reflects how Kansas handles this add-on.

Work-related child care, such as daycare a parent needs to hold a job, is treated as an adjustment under the Kansas Child Support Guidelines. These costs are added into the calculation and divided between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of combined income, rather than being paid by one parent alone. Only reasonable, work-related care is counted. Use your actual monthly child care figures in the calculator, because the official Kansas worksheet is what ultimately sets the shared amount.

Kansas judges start from the guideline amount produced by the Kansas Child Support Guidelines, and that number is presumed correct. A judge may deviate when the parent asking for the change shows that following the guideline would be unjust or inappropriate in the specific case. The court must put written findings on the record explaining the reason for any deviation. The parent requesting a departure from the guideline figure carries the burden of proving why it is justified. This calculator does not predict deviations and is not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in Kansas?

Kansas uses the Income Shares model under the Kansas Child Support Guidelines, which are issued as a Kansas Supreme Court Administrative Order. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state guideline schedule for that income level and the number of children, then prorates that obligation between the parents by each parent's percentage share of the combined income. Adjustments for health insurance, work-related child care, the age of the child, and parenting-time overnights are then applied. Our calculator follows this approach to give an estimate, but the official Kansas worksheet and a licensed attorney control the actual order.

What is the official Kansas child support worksheet, and does it control my case?

Yes. The controlling form in Kansas is the worksheet built into the Kansas Child Support Guidelines, published by the Kansas courts. Every Kansas support order is supposed to be supported by a completed worksheet that shows both parents' gross incomes, the basic obligation from the guideline schedule, each parent's income share, and any adjustments. The figure the judge signs comes from that worksheet, not from any unofficial estimator. You can find the guidelines and worksheet through the Kansas courts at kscourts.org. Treat the number on this page as an estimate, and rely on the official worksheet or an attorney for the binding amount.

What income counts when figuring Kansas child support?

The Kansas Child Support Guidelines use domestic gross income from any source, so wages, salary, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and similar earnings generally count before taxes. For a self-employed parent, income is figured net of reasonable business expenses, which means the court subtracts legitimate costs of running the business but not personal expenses. Means-tested public assistance is excluded from the calculation. Because Kansas starts from gross income rather than take-home pay, your support number can look higher than a guess based on your paycheck. Enter accurate gross figures, and confirm the result against the official worksheet.

How do overnights and a 50/50 schedule change child support in Kansas?

Kansas applies a parenting-time adjustment that scales with how many overnights each parent has, so more shared time can lower the paying parent's amount. When parents split time more evenly, the Kansas Child Support Guidelines also allow a shared-care formula that accounts for both homes covering direct costs for the children. Even with a near 50/50 schedule, support does not automatically drop to zero, because the guideline first compares each parent's income share. The exact effect depends on the overnight count and the incomes you enter. This tool estimates that effect, and the official worksheet sets the final number.

Can the judge order an amount different from the Kansas guideline figure?

Yes, but the guideline amount under the Kansas Child Support Guidelines is presumed correct, so a judge needs a reason to depart from it. A court may deviate when applying the guideline would be unjust or inappropriate given the facts of the case, and the judge must write findings explaining the departure. The parent asking for a different amount carries the burden of proving why the deviation is justified. Common grounds involve special expenses or unusual circumstances, but each case is decided on its own record. Use this calculator for a baseline estimate only, and talk to a licensed Kansas attorney about any deviation request.

When does child support end in Kansas?

Kansas child support generally continues until the child turns 18, or until the child graduates from high school if that happens later, but not past age 19. So a child who is still finishing high school after turning 18 can keep receiving support until graduation, with that age-19 outer limit. Post-secondary or college support is not automatic in Kansas, though parents can agree to it. Support does not always stop on its own, so you may need a court order or to coordinate with Kansas Child Support Services. This page is an estimate and not legal advice about your specific end date.

How do I change or enforce a Kansas child support order?

To change an order, you file a motion to modify in the district court or request a review through Kansas Child Support Services, which is part of the Department for Children and Families. Kansas supports modification when there is a 10 percent variance from the current order or a material change in circumstances, such as a significant income shift. On enforcement, Kansas Child Support Services can use automatic income withholding, tax intercept, driver and professional license suspension, lien filings, credit reporting, and contempt of court. You can reach the agency through dcf.ks.gov. This calculator estimates a current amount but does not file or enforce anything for you.