Quick answer: Kansas uses the income shares model of the Kansas Child Support Guidelines. The parents’ combined gross monthly income, after the allowed adjustments, is looked up in a child support schedule for the total number of children, and the schedule gives an amount for each child by age group (0 to 5, 6 to 11 and 12 to 18). The amounts for all the children are added to get the gross child support obligation, and each parent pays his or her proportionate share. The parent not having primary residency then adds a share of the children’s health insurance premium and work-related child care, subtracts what he or she already pays for them, and may receive a parenting time adjustment of 10%, 20% or 30% once the child spends 35% or more of the time with him or her.
How the Kansas worksheet works
- Child support income. Domestic gross income, less court-ordered child support paid in other cases and maintenance paid, plus maintenance received. See income, insurance and child care.
- Gross obligation. The schedule for the number of children at the combined income, one amount per child by age.
- Proportionate shares. Each parent’s income divided by the combined income.
- Adjustments. Parenting time, extended parenting time and equal parenting time. See the parenting time adjustments.
- Premiums and child care. Prorated by share, with credit to the parent who pays.
The full walk-through, with a worked example, is in how Kansas calculates child support.
What this calculator checks
The engine follows lines D through I of the official worksheet, with the schedules transcribed from Appendix II and checked row by row for internal consistency. The cost of living differential, the multiple family application, the direct expense formula, long-distance parenting time costs, special needs and the other discretionary adjustments are not included, and the court may deviate with written findings.
Child support across Kansas
The guidelines apply in every Kansas district court, from Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Topeka, Olathe or Lawrence. Support is paid through the Kansas Payment Center unless the parties agree otherwise. The amounts in the schedules are a rebuttable presumption.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Kansas?
Combined gross monthly income is looked up in the schedule for the number of children, which gives an amount for each child by age group; the amounts are added, each parent pays a proportionate share, and premiums, child care and parenting time are then taken into account.
At what parenting time does Kansas reduce child support?
If the child spends 35% or more of the time with the parent not having primary residency, the court decides whether an adjustment is appropriate: 10% for 35% to 39%, 20% for 40% to 44% and 30% for 45% to 49%.
Does Kansas use the age of the child for child support?
Yes. The schedules have separate amounts for ages 0 to 5, 6 to 11 and 12 to 18, using the child's age on the nearest birthday.
What is the top of the Kansas child support schedule?
$18,000 of combined gross monthly income. Above that the court decides additional support.
Does Kansas consider the poverty level for child support?
Yes. The court subtracts the federal poverty guideline for a household of one from the parent's child support income to find the income available for support.