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State Guide · Kentucky
Child Support in Kentucky: How It's Calculated, Modified & Enforced
A plain-English guide to Kentucky child support — the guideline model, how the number is computed, the modification and enforcement process, and where to find the official worksheet.
Direct answer
Gross monthly income, less preexisting support and maintenance, to reach combined monthly adjusted parental gross income.
Kentucky uses the Income Shares model under KRS 403.212 (amended effective July 1, 2025). It combines each parent's gross monthly income, subtracts preexisting support and maintenance to reach 'combined monthly adjusted parental gross income,' then applies the guidelines table. A self-support reserve protects low-income obligors, and the minimum order is $60/month. A shared parenting-time credit applies for parents with significant court-ordered parenting time (KRS 403.2122). Support ends at 18 (or 19 if in high school).
Open the Kentucky child support calculator to see your own number under the current guideline: Kentucky calculator.
How a support order is established in Kentucky
Apply through Kentucky Child Support Enforcement (CHFS) or file in court.
Establish paternity if unmarried (voluntary acknowledgment or court-ordered testing).
Complete the CS-71 Child Support Worksheet with both parents\' gross income and adjustments.
The court enters an order; the guideline amount is presumptive and deviations need written findings.
Payments via income withholding; Enforcement handles collection (wage garnishment, license suspension, tax intercepts).
To modify, file showing a change in circumstances; the worksheet is recalculated.
Worked examples
Illustrative example — gross-income split (one child) — Parent A gross $4,000/mo; Parent B $2,000/mo; combined $6,000/mo; one child; child health insurance $120/mo; childcare $200/mo. Parent A = 67% of combined. Look up the basic obligation for $6,000 combined and one child on the KRS 403.212 table; add-ons = $320. Parent A\'s share ≈ 0.67 × (basic obligation + $320). Kentucky allocates the basic obligation plus add-ons by each parent\'s percentage of combined gross income.
Illustrative example — self-support reserve — Obligor adjusted gross income near the low-income threshold with one child. When the obligor\'s income is at or below the self-support-reserve level, the obligation is computed on the obligor\'s income alone to protect basic self-sufficiency, and the minimum order is $60/month. Kentucky\'s self-support reserve and $60 minimum prevent orders that leave a low-income parent unable to meet basic needs.
Modifying or enforcing an order
Orders in Kentucky can be modified when there is a substantial change in income, custody, or circumstances. Use the modification eligibility check and the cross-state comparison tool to see how a move would change the outcome. Enforcement runs through the state agency and can include income withholding and contempt proceedings.
Official sources
Kentucky Child Support (Cabinet for Health and Family Services) — https://kentuckychildsupport.ky.gov
Kentucky Revised Statutes 403.212 (Child Support Guidelines) — https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=55832
Is Kentucky gross or net income?
Gross monthly income, less preexisting support and maintenance, to reach combined monthly adjusted parental gross income.
What is the minimum support?
The minimum guideline order is $60 per month, with a self-support reserve for low-income obligors.
Does shared parenting time change the amount?
Yes. A shared parenting-time credit (KRS 403.2122) applies for parents with significant court-ordered parenting time.
Can the court deviate?
Yes, only with written findings of extraordinary circumstances.
When does support end?
At age 18, or 19 if the child is still in high school.
What enforcement tools exist?
Wage garnishment, license suspension, tax intercepts, and possible criminal charges for flagrant nonsupport.
Kentucky child support calculator
Estimate for Kentucky
Kentucky uses the Income Shares model.
Enter the paying parent’s gross (pre-tax) monthly income.
Kentucky Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Generated September 22, 2026 · Model: Income Shares · Income basis: gross · Statute: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 403.212
This is an informal planning estimate, not a court worksheet and not legal advice. Confirm the current guideline with the state child-support agency or a licensed family-law attorney.
Estimated monthly support$822.22per month
Official schedule: Kentucky Revised Statutes §403.212(9) — Schedule of basic child support obligations (combined monthly adjusted parental gross income) (2024)
Annual estimate$9,866.64
Effective rate16.4%
MethodIncome Shares: combined income → official Kentucky schedule → split by income share (+ add-ons, parenting-time credit)
View calculation breakdown
Combined parental income
$9,000
Total basic obligation (schedule)
$1,480
Obligor income share
55.6%
Obligor basic obligation
$822
Estimated monthly support
$822
How the basic obligation splits between parents
56%
44%
Paying parent: $822 Other parent: $658
Each parent pays their proportional share of the combined basic obligation.
Estimated monthly support by number of children
At the incomes you entered, for 2 children.
This article is general education, not legal or tax advice. For your exact number, open your state calculator.
Not legal or financial advice. This estimate follows the state’s statutory guideline formula but cannot capture every factor a court considers (health insurance, childcare, prior orders, deviations, imputed income).
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