Kansas Child Support Calculator

Kansas uses the income shares model under KSA 23-3002, which combines both parents' gross incomes and applies schedule-based tables from the Kansas Child Support Guidelines. The court determines each parent's proportional share of the combined income and assigns that percentage of the total child support obligation. The schedules account for the number of children and three age groups: 0–5, 6–11, and 12–18.

Kansas courts consider domestic gross income from all sources, including wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, overtime, self-employment earnings, rental income, and investment returns. Public assistance and child support received for other children are excluded. Courts then subtract allowable deductions such as income taxes, FICA, and mandatory retirement contributions to arrive at each parent's child support income.

If the noncustodial parent has the child more than 35% of the time (excluding school and daycare hours), Kansas guidelines allow a reduction in support: 10% for 35–39% parenting time, 20% for 40–44%, and 30% for 45–49%. When parents share equal custody at 50/50, a separate calculation formula applies that may significantly lower the obligation for both parties.

Kansas law allows child support modification when the difference between the existing order and a new calculation would be at least 10%. Either parent can request a review through Kansas Child Support Services or file a motion with the court. Common grounds include job loss, significant income changes, changes in custody arrangements, or changes in the child's needs such as new medical expenses.

The base child support obligation covers food, clothing, shelter, and basic necessities. Kansas guidelines allow additional costs to be added to the total obligation, including premiums for health, dental, and vision insurance for the child, and work-related childcare expenses. Extraordinary expenses such as special education needs or ongoing medical costs may also be factored in at the court's discretion.

Kansas has no fixed statutory minimum or maximum. The child support schedules cover combined parental income up to approximately $18,000 per month. For income above that level, courts use a discretionary extended formula in Appendix II of the guidelines. At the lower end, courts impute minimum-wage income of roughly $1,256 per month and apply an ability-to-pay safeguard based on the federal poverty guideline for a single-person household.

Under KSA 23-3001, Kansas child support terminates when the child turns 18. If the child turns 18 while still attending high school, support automatically continues until June 30 of that school year. In rare cases, courts may extend support until age 19 if the child remains in high school. Parents can also agree in writing, with court approval, to extend support beyond age 18.

Kansas enforces child support through wage garnishment of up to 50–65% of disposable earnings under KSA 60-2310, tax refund interception, property liens, driver's license suspension, and passport denial. Unpaid child support accrues interest at 10% per year under KSA 16-204. A court may also find the non-paying parent in contempt, which can result in fines or imprisonment.