How Kentucky Calculates Child Support
Kentucky uses the Income Shares model for child support. The governing law is Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 403.212. Kentucky's guidelines use combined adjusted parental gross income as the basis for the calculation, a figure that starts with gross income but allows specific adjustments before the two parents' incomes are combined.
The Income Shares model in Kentucky reflects the principle that a child's financial support should mirror what both parents would have contributed if the household had stayed intact. Both parents' adjusted gross incomes are combined, the total obligation is found in Kentucky's schedule, and each parent pays their proportional share.
The Kentucky Child Support Formula
Kentucky's calculation follows five steps.
Step one is determining each parent's monthly gross income. Step two is calculating each parent's adjusted gross income by subtracting any court-ordered child support or maintenance payments currently being paid for other relationships, and for self-employed parents, one-half of self-employment taxes. Step three is adding both adjusted gross incomes together to produce the Combined Adjusted Parental Gross Income (CAPGI). Step four is finding the Basic Child Support Obligation in Kentucky's schedule using the CAPGI and number of children. Step five is calculating each parent's percentage of the CAPGI and applying it to the obligation.
A concrete example: Parent A has an adjusted gross monthly income of $5,000. Parent B has an adjusted gross monthly income of $2,000. CAPGI is $7,000. Parent A's income share is 71.4 percent. If Kentucky's schedule shows a Basic Child Support Obligation of $1,300 for one child at $7,000 CAPGI, Parent A's obligation is $928 per month before add-ons and parenting time adjustments.
Kentucky's schedule has a maximum combined income level. When CAPGI exceeds that cap, courts have discretion to set support above the maximum table amount based on the children's reasonable needs.
What Counts as Income in Kentucky
KRS 403.212 uses a broad income definition. Courts include wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, overtime, self-employment income, business profits, rental income, pension and retirement distributions, Social Security benefits, SSDI payments, veterans' benefits, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, and income from any regular source.
For self-employed parents, Kentucky adds back one-half of the self-employment tax to income. This adjustment places self-employed parents on equal footing with wage earners for the formula.
Courts in Kentucky can impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed based on employment history, education, skills, and local job market conditions.
Step-by-Step: How to Use This Calculator
Step 1. Get your gross monthly income. Include all income sources. If you are self-employed, add back one-half of your self-employment taxes to get the adjusted figure Kentucky courts use.
Step 2. Subtract existing court-ordered obligations. If you are currently paying court-ordered child support or maintenance for someone outside of this case, subtract that amount from your gross income.
Step 3. Estimate the other parent's adjusted gross income using the same method.
Step 4. Enter the number of children covered by this order.
Step 5. Enter your parenting time percentage. Count actual overnights per year and divide by 365. Kentucky applies a credit when parenting time is significant, scaling as overnights increase toward 50 percent.
Step 6. Add healthcare costs. Enter the monthly premium for the children's health insurance.
Step 7. Add childcare costs. Enter monthly work-related childcare expenses.
Step 8. Review the full breakdown, paying particular attention to the adjusted gross income figures for both parents.
Parenting Time Adjustments in Kentucky
Kentucky applies a parenting time adjustment when the paying parent has substantial time with the children. The credit recognizes that a parent who has the children for a meaningful portion of the year is spending directly on food, clothing, and daily needs during that time.
At standard visitation, the adjustment is minimal. As parenting time increases toward 50 percent, the credit grows. At near-equal parenting time, Kentucky courts calculate both parents' obligations and offset them, with the higher earner paying the net difference to the lower earner.
Equal parenting time does not automatically mean zero child support in Kentucky. When one parent earns significantly more, a net payment still flows even at 50/50 custody.
Add-On Expenses in Kentucky
Kentucky adds healthcare premiums and work-related childcare costs to the base obligation, allocated proportionally by CAPGI share. Courts may also address extraordinary medical expenses and, in appropriate cases, significant travel costs for parenting time.
Reading Your Results
The results display shows each parent's adjusted gross income, the CAPGI, the Basic Child Support Obligation from Kentucky's schedule, income share percentages, the parenting time adjustment if applicable, add-on costs, and the final monthly obligation.
If you made adjustments for prior support obligations or self-employment taxes, confirm those are reflected accurately in the adjusted gross income line. These adjustments can meaningfully shift the income share percentages and the final number.
After You Get Your Estimate
Kentucky courts follow the KRS 403.212 guidelines in all standard cases. Deviation is allowed when the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate. Courts can consider extraordinary financial obligations, special needs of the child, significant in-kind contributions, or other relevant factors.
Modification in Kentucky requires a material change in circumstances. Courts typically apply a 15 percent or more change in the calculated obligation as the threshold for granting a modification. Income changes, parenting time shifts, and changes in the children's needs are the most common grounds.
A licensed Kentucky family law attorney can help you verify your adjusted gross income and review your modification options. Many offer a free initial consultation.