Kentucky Child Support Calculator

Kentucky uses the Income Shares model under KRS § 403.212, which combines both parents' adjusted gross monthly incomes and applies a statutory guideline table based on the number of children. Each parent's share of the total obligation is proportional to their percentage of the combined income. Additional costs—health insurance, work-related childcare, and extraordinary medical expenses—are added to the base amount and split proportionally between both parents.

Kentucky courts count virtually all income sources under KRS § 403.212, including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, dividends, rental income, pensions, and self-employment earnings. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, courts may impute potential income based on their work history and qualifications. The minimum wage baseline for imputation is approximately $1,256.67 per month, calculated at 40 hours per week at minimum wage.

Under KRS § 403.2121, Kentucky provides a shared parenting time credit when the non-custodial parent exercises 73 or more overnights per year with the child. This credit reduces the standard child support obligation to reflect the additional direct costs the visiting parent incurs during those overnights. Kentucky enacted a presumption of Equal Shared Parenting in 2018, making shared-time adjustments more common in dissolution of marriage proceedings.

Yes. Under KRS § 403.213, child support can be modified upon a material change in circumstances that is substantial and continuing. Kentucky law presumes a material change exists when recalculation would produce at least a 15% difference from the current order. Either parent, or a nonparental custodian, may request a modification review through the Kentucky Child Support Program or by filing a motion with the court.

Beyond the base guideline amount from the KRS § 403.212 table, Kentucky child support includes health insurance premiums paid for the child, work-related childcare expenses, and extraordinary medical costs not covered by insurance. These add-on expenses are divided proportionally based on each parent's share of combined income. The base obligation itself covers food, housing, clothing, transportation, and ordinary medical care as built into the statutory table.

Kentucky sets a minimum child support obligation of $60 per month under KRS § 403.212(6), unless a court finds that amount unjust or inappropriate. The guideline table covers combined monthly adjusted parental gross incomes up to $30,000 ($360,000 annually). For combined incomes exceeding $30,000 per month, no statutory table applies—courts use judicial discretion to determine a fair amount based on the children's needs and the parents' financial circumstances.

Under KRS § 403.213(3), Kentucky child support continues until the child turns 18 (emancipation). If the child is still attending high school at age 18, support extends through the school year in which the child turns 19. Child support may terminate earlier if the child marries, enters military service, or parental rights are terminated. Kentucky does not require child support for college expenses unless the parents agree in writing.

The Kentucky Child Support Program has multiple enforcement tools for collecting unpaid child support, including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension (driver's, professional, and recreational), passport denial, and property liens. A parent who fails to pay can also be held in contempt of court under Kentucky law, which may result in fines or jail time. Kentucky processed approximately 14,500 dissolution of marriage filings in 2022, and enforcement actions are actively pursued statewide.