Kentucky uses a formula, not a fixed dollar amount

Kentucky does not set a single dollar amount for child support. Instead, the state uses a income shares model, which means the court calculates support based on both parents' gross monthly income. The formula accounts for custody arrangement, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. A parent with one child and $3,000 monthly income will pay a different amount than a parent earning $5,000 — and the difference is built into the math, not left to a judge's discretion.

The actual payment you see depends on how much each parent earns, who has custody, and whether either parent pays for the child's health insurance or daycare. Because of this, the only way to know the exact amount for your situation is to run the numbers through Kentucky's formula or have a family court do it.

Key Takeaways

  • Kentucky calculates child support using both parents' gross monthly income, not a flat rate per child.
  • The formula produces a combined support obligation, which is then split between parents based on their income percentage.
  • Health insurance premiums and childcare costs are added to the base amount before the split.
  • A family court order sets the final amount, and it can be modified if either parent's income changes significantly.

How the income shares formula works in practice

Kentucky's formula starts by adding both parents' gross monthly income together. The state then applies a percentage based on the number of children — for one child, that percentage is roughly 17 to 20 percent of combined income, though the exact figure depends on the combined income level. That combined obligation is then divided between the parents in proportion to their individual incomes.

For example: if Parent A earns $3,000 per month and Parent B earns $2,000 per month, their combined income is $5,000. If the formula sets the combined obligation at $850 per month for one child, Parent A (who earns 60 percent of the total) would pay roughly $510, and Parent B (who earns 40 percent) would pay roughly $340. The parent without primary custody typically pays the other parent.

The formula also adjusts for who has the child overnight. If both parents share custody roughly equally, the calculation changes because each parent is already covering the child's expenses during their time. Kentucky's courts use the parenting time adjustment to account for this.

What gets added to the base amount

The base calculation is not the final number. Kentucky law requires the court to add certain costs on top:

  • Health insurance premiums paid by either parent for the child
  • Childcare costs (daycare, preschool, after-school care) needed so a parent can work
  • Extraordinary medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance
  • Educational expenses beyond public school

These additions are split between parents the same way the base amount is — proportional to their income. If Parent A pays $200 per month for the child's health insurance, that $200 is added to the combined obligation before the split. This means both parents end up contributing to it, not just the one who pays the premium.

Income that counts and income that does not

Gross income includes wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, and interest or dividend income. It also includes unemployment benefits and workers' compensation. The court uses gross income before taxes are taken out.

Some income does not count toward child support: means-tested public benefits (TANF, SNAP, SSI), child support received from another child, and spousal support received. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed — meaning they could earn more but choose not to — the court may impute income, or assign an income level based on their work history or local job market rates.

Self-employed parents must provide tax returns and business records. The court looks at net self-employment income (revenue minus legitimate business expenses) averaged over the past two years.

When child support orders change

A child support order stays in place until the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later. Either parent can request a modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances — typically a 15 percent or more change in either parent's income, a significant shift in custody, or a major change in childcare or health insurance costs.

The parent requesting the change must file a motion with the family court that issued the original order. The court will recalculate using current income and circumstances. Until the court issues a new order, the old amount remains due.

If a parent loses a job or has income reduced involuntarily, they should file for modification as soon as possible. Waiting does not stop the obligation to pay the old amount, and arrears (unpaid support) accumulate with interest.

Where to find the actual calculation for your situation

Kentucky's Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) publishes a child support guidelines table that shows the combined obligation for different income levels. You can request a copy from your local family court or find it through the DCBS website. The table gives you a starting point, but it does not account for your specific childcare costs, health insurance, or custody arrangement.

If you are going through a divorce or custody case, your attorney or the court will calculate the amount. If you are not represented by a lawyer, you can ask the family court clerk for a worksheet or contact a legal aid organization in your county — many offer free or low-cost help with child support calculations.

If child support is being enforced through DCBS (because you receive TANF or applied for enforcement services), the agency will calculate the amount and include it in the court order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kentucky have a minimum or maximum child support amount?

Kentucky does not set a hard minimum, but courts rarely order less than $50 per month for one child. There is no statutory maximum — the amount depends entirely on the parents' income. High-income parents may pay several thousand dollars per month.

What if one parent has no income or very low income?

If a parent has no income, the court may still order a small amount (often $50 to $100 per month) or may find that the other parent's income alone covers the child's needs. If a parent is disabled or unable to work, the court considers that in the calculation. Imputation of income is used only when a parent is voluntarily not working.

Does child support change when the child turns a certain age?

No. Kentucky does not adjust the amount as the child ages. The order stays the same until the child turns 18 or finishes high school. If circumstances change — such as a parent's income rising or falling — either parent can request a new calculation, but age alone does not trigger an automatic change.

Can child support be waived or reduced if the parents agree?

Parents can agree to a different amount, but the court must approve it. The judge will review the agreement to make sure it is not unfair to the child. A parent cannot simply decide not to pay because the other parent said it was okay — the order must be formally modified by the court.

What happens if the paying parent does not pay?

Unpaid child support becomes a debt with interest. Kentucky can enforce collection through wage garnishment, tax refund interception, driver's license suspension, and contempt of court charges. DCBS can pursue enforcement if the case is in the system, or the receiving parent can file a motion to enforce in family court.