How Is Child Support Calculated in Kansas?

Child support in Kansas follows a structured

income shares model

designed to approximate the financial support children would receive if parents remained together. Courts use official

Child Support Guidelines

to calculate obligations based on both parents’ incomes, number of children, and their ages. This ensures fairness while prioritizing children’s needs.

The process involves completing a

Domestic Relations Affidavit

and

Child Support Worksheet

, which detail incomes, expenses, and adjustments. Judges rarely deviate from worksheet results unless justified in the child’s best interest.

The Income Shares Model

Kansas employs the

income shares model

, where support reflects the combined parental income proportional to each parent’s contribution. Basic child support obligations are derived from schedules in the guidelines, categorized by children’s ages: 0-5, 6-11, and 12-18 years.

For combined monthly incomes exceeding schedule maximums (typically around $16,000), an

extended formula

applies: Combined monthly income raised to the power of 0.61209, multiplied by 5.749332, then adjusted for age categories. For example, for $16,000 income and one child aged 12-18: $16,000^0.61209 × 5.749332 ≈ $2,152 monthly obligation.

• One child (12-18): Base $2,152; adjust down 6% for 6-11 ($2,023), 16% for 0-5 ($1,807).
• Multiple children: Sum individual obligations from age-specific calculations.

Each parent’s share is their proportion of combined income applied to the total obligation.

Child Support Schedules

Guidelines include

Child Support Schedules

(tables) listing monthly obligations by combined income and child count/age. For one child:

Combined Income	0-5 Years	6-11 Years	12-18 Years
$2,000	$552	$618	$692
$4,000	$878	$983	$1,101
$8,000	$1,302	$1,458	$1,632
$16,000*	$1,807	$2,023	$2,152
*Uses extended formula

Similar tables exist for 2+ children. Parents lookup values, sum for multiple ages, and proceed to proportionate shares.

Determining Parental Income

**Gross income** includes wages, bonuses, self-employment earnings, investments, and imputed income for voluntary unemployment/underemployment. Courts impute based on work history, skills, job market, health, and age.

**Deductions** yield monthly child support income: federal/state taxes, FICA, mandatory retirement, health insurance, prior child support. Self-employed deduct business expenses.

• Verify via pay stubs, tax returns; non-disclosure risks court-imputed income.
• Imputed income example: Unemployed skilled worker imputed at median wage for their field.

Basic Child Support Obligation

After income determination, locate

basic obligation

from schedules or extended formula on Worksheet Line D.3. For mixed ages, sum age-specific amounts (e.g., 4-year-old $552 + 7-year-old $618 = $1,170).

Adjustments to the Obligation

Parenting Time Adjustment

Non-primary parent receives credits for substantial parenting time:

• 35-39%: 10% reduction
• 40-44%: 20% reduction
• 45-49%: 30% reduction
• 50%+ shared: Special equal/shared expense formulas

Apply after basic obligation (Line D.5), then recalculate proportionate shares (Line D.6).

Child Care and Health Insurance

**Child care costs** added after federal tax credit adjustment (max 34% credit, capped per table). Example: $525/month × 34% = $179 (capped $85), net $440 added.

**Health insurance** premiums for children added to obligation, split proportionately.

Multiple Family Adjustments

Adjust for other children: Sequential (prior-born) or simultaneous (same-time born). Reduces current obligation via specified percentages.

Ability to Pay Calculation

For low-income parents, subtract federal poverty guideline (one-person household, e.g., ~$1,255/month in recent years) from support income. If result < obligation, court sets amount in child's best interest.

Formula: Child support income (Line D.1) – poverty level = ability to pay (Line F.5a). Cap support at this if lower.

Final Child Support Order

Worksheet culminates in:

1. Basic obligation (F.1)
2. Adjustments (F.2: +child care/insurance, -credits)
3. Ability to pay cap (F.5)
4. Enforcement fee (e.g., 4% of obligation, split)

Non-custodial pays custodial their share. Agreements deviating from worksheet require justification.

Deviations from Guidelines

Courts deviate only for extraordinary reasons, documented in findings: child’s extraordinary needs, parental resources, standard of living.

Child Support Calculators

Online tools like eFamilyTools, Bradley Software, or CustodyXChange estimate obligations. Official: Kansas Courts worksheets. Always verify with worksheet for court.

Modifying Child Support

Modify for 10%+ change in circumstances (income, custody) lasting 12+ months. File motion; use updated worksheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kansas child support formula?

Kansas uses income shares: combined income → schedule/extended formula → proportionate shares with adjustments.

How does parenting time affect child support?

Credits: 10-30% for 35-49% time; shared formulas for 50%+.

Can child support be imputed?

Yes, for voluntary unemployment based on earning capacity.

What if income exceeds schedules?

Use extended exponential formula; check ‘extended formula used’ box.

How to calculate enforcement fees?

Typically 4% of obligation, split equally (e.g., $2,000 × 4% × 0.5 = $40/parent).