Kentucky Child Support
Estimate for Kentucky
Kentucky uses the Income Shares model.
Official schedule: Kentucky Revised Statutes §403.212(9) — Schedule of basic child support obligations (combined monthly adjusted parental gross income) (2024)
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
Estimated monthly support by number of children
§ How Kentucky calculates support
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).
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case 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.
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: 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.
Walk-through: 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).
Takeaway: Kentucky allocates the basic obligation plus add-ons by each parent's percentage of combined gross income.
Scenario: Obligor adjusted gross income near the low-income threshold with one child.
Walk-through: 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.
Takeaway: Kentucky's self-support reserve and $60 minimum prevent orders that leave a low-income parent unable to meet basic needs.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://kentuckychildsupport.ky.gov · https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=55832 · KRS 403.212; KRS 403.2122