Quick answer: Indiana uses the income shares model of the Indiana Child Support Guidelines, and it works in weekly amounts. Each parent’s weekly gross income, less subsequent-born child and prior-born support adjustments, is weekly adjusted income. The combined figure is looked up in the Guideline Schedules for Weekly Support Payments (from $100 to $9,200 a week for one to eight children) to get the basic child support obligation; work-related child care and the children’s health insurance premium are added; and each parent owes his or her percentage share. The noncustodial parent then receives credits for the child care and insurance he or she pays and a parenting time credit that starts at 52 overnights a year.
How the Indiana worksheet works
- Weekly adjusted income. Weekly gross income less the adjustments in Guideline 3C. See what income and adjustments count.
- Basic obligation. The schedule row nearest the combined weekly adjusted income, for the number of children.
- Total obligation and shares. Basic obligation plus child care and insurance, times each parent’s percentage of the combined income.
- Credits. Child care and insurance the parent pays, and the parenting time credit. See the parenting time credit.
The full walk-through, with a worked example, is in how Indiana calculates child support.
What this calculator checks
The engine reproduces the Guidelines’ own worked credits for a parent earning $600 a week and a parent earning $850 a week with three children: $28.95 at 56 overnights, $134.94 at 120 and $206.95 at 180, averaging $123.61 for a child with each. Post-secondary education support, split custody, extraordinary expenses and deviations are not included.
Child support across Indiana
The Guidelines apply in every Indiana court, from Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, Carmel or Fishers. The amount they produce is a rebuttable presumption, and a court that deviates must state its reasons in writing. The Indiana Judicial Branch also publishes a free online calculator that produces court-ready worksheets.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Indiana?
Under the Indiana Child Support Guidelines' income shares model, combined weekly adjusted income is looked up in the weekly schedule for the number of children, child care and the children's insurance are added, and each parent pays a percentage share, less credits and the parenting time credit.
When does the Indiana parenting time credit start?
At 52 overnights a year, which is about alternate weekends. The credit grows with the overnights and is not automatic.
Does Indiana use weekly or monthly income?
Weekly. The schedule and the worksheet are in weekly amounts, so monthly income is converted to weekly.
What if parenting time is equal in Indiana?
At 181 to 183 overnights the court designates which parent pays the controlled expenses, and the other parent is given the parenting time credit.
Can the Indiana court depart from the Guidelines amount?
Yes, if it finds the amount unjust or inappropriate, with a written factual basis for the deviation.