Kansas does not set a fixed dollar amount for one child — the court calculates support based on both parents' income, custody arrangement, and other factors

Kansas uses an income shares model, which means the court adds both parents' gross monthly income, applies a percentage based on how many children need support, and divides the obligation between them according to each parent's share of the total income. For one child, that percentage is 17% of combined parental income. The actual payment depends entirely on what both parents earn.

If one parent earns $3,000 per month and the other earns $2,000 per month, the combined income is $5,000. Seventeen percent of $5,000 is $850. The parent owing support pays their proportional share of that $850 — in this example, the higher earner would owe roughly $510 per month. But if incomes are different, the amount changes. There is no statewide minimum or maximum for a single child, though individual judges may apply caps based on case law.

The calculation also accounts for who has custody, whether either parent pays for health insurance or childcare, and tax credits. A parent with 50% custody pays less than a parent with no overnight time. These adjustments happen after the base percentage is applied.

Key Takeaways

  • Kansas calculates child support as 17% of both parents' combined gross income for one child, divided between them based on each parent's earnings share.
  • The actual monthly payment varies widely depending on both parents' income — there is no single statewide amount.
  • Custody time, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and tax credits all reduce or adjust the base calculation.
  • The court order will show the calculation method and the final amount the paying parent owes each month.

How the 17% figure works in practice

The 17% is a statewide guideline, not a suggestion. Kansas courts are required to use it unless both parents agree to something different or the judge finds the guideline amount would be unjust. The percentage applies to gross income, which includes wages, salary, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, and some benefits — but not child support or spousal support already being paid to someone else.

The paying parent's share of the 17% depends on their proportion of the combined income. If Parent A earns $4,000 and Parent B earns $1,000, Parent A's share is 80% of the combined $5,000. Parent A would owe 80% of the $850 base amount, or $680 per month. Parent B would owe 20%, or $170 per month. In most cases, only one parent pays the other, so the calculation stops at the higher earner's obligation.

Self-employed parents and those with irregular income file tax returns or provide recent pay stubs to establish their income. The court uses an average if income fluctuates. If a parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income based on their work history or earning capacity, though this is contested more often and requires a hearing.

Adjustments that change the final amount

The base 17% calculation is a starting point. Several factors reduce it or add to it. If the paying parent has custody 40% or more of the time, the obligation decreases because they are directly supporting the child during those days. The reduction is proportional — a parent with 50% custody pays roughly half the base amount.

Health insurance premiums paid by either parent for the child lower the obligation. If the paying parent carries the child on their health plan and pays $150 per month in premiums, that $150 is deducted from their support obligation. Childcare costs — daycare, after-school care, or preschool — are also shared between parents based on their income share, which reduces the support payment.

Tax credits matter too. The federal child tax credit and Kansas child and dependent care credit reduce the paying parent's tax liability, which the court accounts for by lowering the support amount. The exact reduction depends on the parent's tax bracket and whether they claim the child as a dependent.

What happens if income changes

A child support order remains in effect until the child turns 18 (or 19 if still in high school), unless the order says otherwise. If either parent's income changes significantly — a job loss, a substantial raise, or a career change — either parent can ask the court to modify the order. Kansas law allows modification if there has been a "substantial and continuing change in circumstances."

A 10% change in either parent's income is generally considered substantial enough to warrant a review. The parent requesting the change files a motion with the court and provides recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other income documentation. The other parent has a chance to respond. If the court agrees circumstances have changed, it recalculates the obligation and issues a new order.

Modifications are not automatic. If you do not file, the old amount stays in place even if you lost your job or got a significant raise. The change takes effect on the date the court signs the new order, not retroactively to when the income changed, unless the court decides otherwise.

Where to find the actual order and calculation

The child support order issued by the Kansas court will show the calculation on its face or in an attached worksheet. It will list both parents' gross income, the 17% base amount, any adjustments for custody or insurance, and the final monthly payment. You can request a copy from the district court clerk in the county where the order was entered, or from the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) if they are enforcing the order.

If you are receiving support, the Kansas Payment Center processes payments and sends you a statement each month showing what was received and when. If you are paying support, your order will specify whether you pay through the Payment Center or directly to the other parent. Most orders go through the Payment Center so there is a record of payment.

You can also contact the DCF Child Support Enforcement office in your county to request a calculation review or to ask questions about how your specific order was computed. They cannot change the order, but they can explain it and help you understand what each line means.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a minimum or maximum child support amount in Kansas for one child?

Kansas has no statewide minimum or maximum for a single child. The amount is calculated from the 17% guideline applied to actual income. However, individual judges may apply a cap based on case law or may find the guideline unjust in high-income cases. If you believe the amount is unreasonable, you can ask the court to review it at a hearing.

What if one parent makes much more money than the other?

The higher earner pays a larger share of the 17% base amount because the calculation is proportional to income. If one parent earns $10,000 and the other earns $1,000, the higher earner's share is roughly 91% of the obligation. There is no cap that stops this from happening, though a judge can deviate from the guideline if they find it unjust.

Does child support stop if the paying parent loses their job?

The order does not stop automatically. You must file a motion to modify with the court and show that the job loss is real and ongoing. Until the court issues a new order, you still owe the original amount. If you fall behind, the other parent can pursue enforcement. File the modification request as soon as possible after losing income.

Can both parents agree to a different amount than the guideline?

Yes. If both parents sign an agreement stating they want a different amount, the court can approve it if it is in the child's best interest. The agreement must be in writing and presented to the judge. The court is not required to approve it, but most judges will if both parents consent and the amount is reasonable.

How often can child support be modified?

Either parent can request modification at any time if there has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. However, courts often require at least a year between modifications unless the change is dramatic. If you modify the order, the new amount applies going forward from the date the court signs it.