Kentucky Child Support Calculator

Estimate Kentucky child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under KRS § 403.212. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

Kentucky follows the Income Shares model under KRS § 403.212. 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.

Kentucky does not bake a sliding overnight credit into its basic guideline math the way some states do. The number starts from both parents' combined gross income and each parent's share of it. Extended visitation or extra parenting time is instead treated as a possible reason for the court to deviate up or down from the guideline figure. If you have substantial time with the child, you can ask the judge to consider that, but the standard calculator output will not automatically lower the number for overnights.

The cost of the child's health insurance premium is added on top of the basic support obligation in Kentucky. Under the Income Shares approach in KRS 403.212, that premium is split between the parents in proportion to each parent's percentage share of combined income, the same ratio used for the base support amount. The parent who actually pays the premium typically receives credit for the other parent's share. The on-page calculator is only an estimate, so confirm the exact split on the official worksheet.

Work-related child care, such as daycare needed so a parent can keep a job, is treated as an add-on in Kentucky. It is added to the basic obligation and then divided between the parents pro rata, meaning by each parent's percentage share of the combined gross income. This is the same proportional split Kentucky uses for the health insurance premium. Only reasonable, work-related care generally qualifies, and the final allocation is set on the official guideline worksheet, not by this estimator.

Kentucky's guideline amount is presumed correct, but a judge may deviate when applying it would be unjust or inappropriate in a specific case. KRS 403.212 and related law allow factors like extended visitation, split custody, other dependents in the home, or a child's extraordinary needs to support a different number. The parent asking for a deviation carries the burden of showing why the guideline figure should not apply, and the court must put written findings in the record explaining the reason for any departure.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in Kentucky?

Kentucky uses the Income Shares model under KRS 403.212. The court first combines both parents' monthly gross incomes. It then looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that combined income level and the number of children. That obligation is divided between the parents by each parent's percentage share of the combined income, so a parent who earns 60 percent of the total generally owes 60 percent of the support. Add-ons like health insurance and work-related child care are layered on top. The calculator here gives an estimate only, and the official worksheet controls the final number.

Is there an official Kentucky child support worksheet I have to use?

Yes. Kentucky's child support is set on the official guideline worksheet built from KRS 403.212, and the state Division of Child Support also offers an online estimator at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. That worksheet, not any third-party tool, is the controlling document the court relies on, because it pulls the basic obligation straight from the state guideline schedule. The calculator on this page mirrors the same Income Shares logic to give you a quick preview, but you should complete the official Kentucky worksheet and have a licensed attorney review it before relying on a figure in court.

What income counts when figuring Kentucky child support?

Kentucky bases support on gross income from nearly any source. Under KRS 403.212 that includes wages, salaries, commissions, self-employment earnings, bonuses, fringe benefits, severance, pensions, retirement, Social Security, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and even gifts. Because the standard is gross rather than take-home pay, the number is calculated before taxes are subtracted. If you already pay support under a prior court order, that existing obligation is deductible from your gross income. Self-employed parents generally subtract ordinary business expenses to reach gross. The estimator can only approximate this, so verify every income line on the official worksheet.

Do bonuses, overtime, and self-employment income affect my Kentucky support amount?

Yes. Kentucky's definition of gross income under KRS 403.212 is broad and specifically reaches commissions, bonuses, fringe benefits, and self-employment earnings, so irregular or extra pay is not automatically excluded. For self-employed parents, gross income is generally business receipts minus ordinary and reasonable operating expenses, which can differ from what a tax return shows. Overtime and bonuses can be counted, especially when they are a regular part of your earnings. Because these amounts can swing, courts look at a realistic picture rather than a single check. Run the official worksheet and consider an attorney's help when income is variable.

Can a Kentucky judge order a different amount than the guideline says?

Yes, but the guideline number is presumed correct, so a judge needs a reason to depart. KRS 403.212 and related law let the court deviate when the guideline result would be unjust or inappropriate, citing factors like extended visitation, split custody, other dependents living in the home, or a child's extraordinary medical or educational needs. The parent requesting the deviation must prove why the standard figure should not apply, and the court must enter written findings explaining the departure. The estimator on this page shows only the baseline guideline figure and cannot predict whether a judge will deviate.

When does child support end in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, child support typically ends when the child turns 18. If the child is still attending high school full time at that point, support can continue up to age 19. Support does not always stop automatically on a birthday, so review your order and the controlling Kentucky rules to confirm the exact end date for your situation. Kentucky also allows continuing support for a disabled adult child who cannot be self-supporting. Because every order is worded differently, check your specific judgment and the official guidance rather than assuming, and ask an attorney if the termination date is unclear.

How do I change a Kentucky child support order, and how does enforcement work?

To change an order, you file a motion to modify in family or circuit court or request a review through the Kentucky Division of Child Support. A 15 percent difference between your existing order and a fresh guideline calculation creates a presumption of a substantial change, which generally supports modification. On enforcement, Kentucky uses immediate income withholding, tax refund intercepts, driver and professional license suspension, liens, credit reporting, and contempt that can include jail. This estimator can help you see whether a recalculation might cross that 15 percent line, but confirm everything on the official worksheet.