Kentucky Child Support Calculator
Calculate child support in Kentucky using the state's official Income Shares Model. Includes custody adjustments, health insurance credits, and childcare deductions.
Kentucky divorces typically cost 57% less than the national average of $12,900.
Child Support in Kentucky
- Formula
- Income Shares Model
- Income cap
- None specified
- Equal parenting presumption
- Yes - 50/50 default
- Property system
- Equitable distribution
Child Support Calculator in Kentucky: What You Should Know
Kentucky uses the Income Shares Model, combining both parents' monthly gross incomes to set the support obligation from a guideline table. Each parent then covers a share in proportion to their income, with the lower-time parent typically paying their portion to the other. Kentucky was the first state to adopt a presumption of equal, shared parenting, in 2018, and that shared schedule factors into how time and support are allocated. Work-related childcare and health insurance are added on top of the base amount.
Key point: Kentucky follows the Income Shares Model on combined monthly gross income, and its 2018 equal-parenting presumption shapes how parenting time enters the calculation.
Tell us the basics
Locked to Kentucky on this page.
Use your gross (before-tax) monthly income. If you are paid annually, divide by 12.
Use their gross (before-tax) monthly income. If they are paid annually, divide by 12.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
Child Support in Kentucky - Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in Kentucky?
Kentucky uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support. Both parents' gross incomes are combined, and each parent's share of the total obligation is proportional to their share of the combined income.
Can child support be modified in Kentucky?
Yes. Either parent can request a child support modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, change in custody arrangements, or changes in the child's needs. Courts in Kentucky typically require a change of at least 15-20% in the support amount to justify modification.
Does custody arrangement affect child support in Kentucky?
Yes. Parenting time is a significant factor in child support calculations. Kentucky presumes equal parenting time by default. Parents with shared custody (typically defined as 40% or more overnights) receive a proportional reduction in their child support obligation.
Is there an income cap for child support in Kentucky?
Kentucky does not set a specific income cap in its child support formula. However, courts have discretion to deviate from the guideline amount in cases with very high incomes.
How long does child support last in Kentucky?
Child support in Kentucky typically continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. Support may continue longer if the child has a disability or if the parents agree to extend support for college expenses.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.