Indiana child support amounts depend on both parents' income, not a fixed number

Indiana does not have a set dollar amount for child support when you have two children. Instead, the state uses an income shares model: the court calculates what percentage of both parents' combined income should go toward the children, then divides that obligation between the parents based on each person's earnings.

The actual payment you owe or receive depends on your gross monthly income, your co-parent's gross monthly income, custody arrangement, and whether either parent pays for health insurance or child care. Two families with identical numbers of children can have very different support orders because their incomes are different.

Indiana publishes child support guidelines that show the percentage of combined parental income that should support children at each age. For two children, the guideline percentage is typically 20% of combined parental income, but this can be adjusted up or down based on specific circumstances.

Key Takeaways

  • Indiana calculates child support as a percentage of both parents' combined gross income, not a flat amount per child.
  • For two children, the guideline starts at 20% of combined income, but the actual order depends on each parent's individual earnings and custody time.
  • The court considers gross income from employment, self-employment, rental property, Social Security, and other sources when setting the amount.
  • You can find the current Indiana Child Support Guidelines table on the Indiana Supreme Court website or through your local court clerk.

How Indiana calculates the percentage and splits it between parents

The Indiana Supreme Court publishes a table showing what percentage of combined parental income should support children based on the number of children. For two children, the guideline percentage is 20% of the parents' combined gross monthly income.

Once the court determines the total obligation (20% of combined income), it divides that amount between the parents based on each parent's share of the total income. If one parent earns $3,000 per month and the other earns $2,000 per month, the total is $5,000. The first parent pays 60% of the obligation; the second pays 40%.

The parent with primary custody (the one the children live with most of the time) typically receives the payment from the other parent. If custody is split roughly equally, the calculation becomes more complex, and the parent with the higher income usually pays the difference to the lower-earning parent.

What counts as income in Indiana child support calculations

Indiana courts include gross income in the calculation, which means income before taxes are taken out. This includes wages from employment, self-employment income, rental income, Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, disability payments, and military allowances.

Income does not include means-tested benefits like TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), SNAP (food assistance), or SSI (Supplemental Security Income). If a parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court may "impute" income — assign an income level based on what the parent could earn — though this requires evidence and is not automatic.

Child support orders can be modified if either parent's income changes significantly. If you lose a job or your income drops, you can request a modification through the court. Similarly, if your income increases, the other parent can request an increase to the order.

Adjustments that change the amount from the guideline percentage

The 20% guideline is a starting point, not a final answer. Indiana law allows courts to adjust the amount based on several factors: whether either parent pays for health insurance for the children, whether either parent pays for child care, the custody arrangement, and whether there are other children the parent supports from other relationships.

If the combined parental income is very high (above the threshold listed in the guidelines, which varies by year), the court has discretion to set support above the guideline percentage. If either parent has significant parenting time — even if not exactly 50/50 — the court may reduce the paying parent's obligation.

The court can also deviate from the guideline if doing so would be unjust or inappropriate under the circumstances. This requires the judge to state reasons in writing. Common reasons include a parent's extraordinary debt, a child's special needs, or a parent's limited ability to work.

How to find the current Indiana Child Support Guidelines table

The Indiana Supreme Court publishes the official Child Support Guidelines, which include the percentage table and the income threshold for high-income cases. You can find this document on the Indiana Supreme Court website under "Court Rules" or "Family Law Resources."

Your local county court clerk's office also has copies of the guidelines and can explain how they apply to your situation. Many county courts have family law facilitators or self-help centers that can walk you through a basic calculation, though they cannot give legal advice.

If you are going through a divorce or paternity case, your attorney will use the guidelines to calculate a proposed amount. If you do not have an attorney, you can calculate an estimate yourself using the guideline percentages and income figures, though the actual court order may differ based on the judge's findings.

What happens after the court sets the amount

Once a judge signs a child support order, it becomes a legal obligation. The paying parent must send the payment to the Indiana Child Support Bureau or directly to the receiving parent, depending on what the order says. Many orders require payment through the state's centralized collection system.

If the paying parent falls behind, the state can intercept tax refunds, garnish wages, suspend driver's licenses, and file contempt charges. The receiving parent can also file a motion to enforce the order through the court.

Child support continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. If a child is still in high school after turning 18, support continues through graduation or age 19, whichever comes first. Support ends earlier if the child marries, joins the military, or is legally emancipated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I calculate my own child support amount using the Indiana guidelines?

You can make a rough estimate using the guideline percentage (20% for two children) and both parents' gross monthly income. However, the actual court order may be different because judges adjust for health insurance costs, child care, custody time, and other factors. A family law attorney can give you a more accurate prediction based on your specific situation.

What if one parent is self-employed or has irregular income?

Self-employment income is included in the calculation, but it requires documentation. The court typically looks at tax returns from the past two years to determine average income. If income is irregular or seasonal, the court may average it over time or use a recent year as the baseline. If a self-employed parent claims very low income, the court may impute income based on industry standards or the parent's earning history.

Does the amount change if I get custody of both children?

Yes. If the other parent previously paid support and you now have primary custody, you can file a motion to modify the order. The court will recalculate based on the new custody arrangement. If the other parent now has primary custody of both children, you would owe support instead of receiving it.

What if the other parent does not work or claims zero income?

Indiana courts can impute income to a parent who is unemployed or underemployed without good reason. The court may assign income based on the parent's work history, education, and job market conditions. However, imputation is not automatic — the parent requesting the modification must present evidence that the other parent is capable of earning more.

Can child support be modified after the order is signed?

Yes, if there is a substantial change in circumstances — such as a significant income change, job loss, or change in custody. Either parent can file a motion to modify through the court. The change must be significant enough to justify the cost of modification; small income fluctuations typically do not may have access to.