How Kentucky Calculates Child Support
Kentucky looks up the combined monthly adjusted gross income in the statutory table for the number of children, adds child care and the children’s insurance, and divides the total between the parents in proportion to income, crediting each for what he or she pays directly.
Step 1: Adjusted gross income
Start with each parent’s monthly gross income, which includes income from any source except means-tested public assistance, and subtract maintenance actually paid for prior spouses and ordered in the case, child support actually paid for prior-born children, and support for prior-born children the parent provides without an order (KRS 403.212(3)). Income that is below zero after the deductions is zero. See the self-support reserve and the minimum.
Step 2: The table
Add the two adjusted incomes, find the combined amount in the guidelines table for the number of children for whom the parents share legal responsibility, and read the total obligation. The table has a row every $100 up to $30,000; six or more children share one column. Above $30,000 the court may use its judicial discretion.
Step 3: Shares, child care and insurance
The table amount is divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted income. Monthly child care and the children’s health insurance premium are added to the total before dividing, and each parent subtracts what he or she pays directly to the provider (CS-71 lines 8 to 12).
Step 4: The paying parent
Parent B is the parent with fewer days; with equal days it is the higher earner. After line 12B, Parent B pays that amount to Parent A, subject to the $60 minimum. If the shared parenting time credit applies, it comes off line 12B. See the shared parenting time credit.
A worked example
Two children live mostly with their mother (A), who earns $3,500 a month and pays $400 for child care. The father (B) earns $5,500, pays $120 for the children’s insurance and has 60 days a year.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly gross income: Parent A (more days) / Parent B (fewer days) | $3,500 / $5,500 |
| Combined monthly adjusted parental gross income (line 5C) | $9,000 |
| Percentage shares (line 6) | 38.9% / 61.1% |
| Table amount, two children, row $9,000 (line 7C) | $1,480 |
| Child care $400 paid by A plus insurance $120 paid by B (lines 8 and 9) | $520 |
| Total obligation (line 10C) | $2,000 |
| B’s share, 61.1% (line 11B) | $1,222.22 |
| Less the $120 B pays directly (line 12B) | $1,102.22 |
The monthly support is $1,102. The Kentucky child support calculator reproduces this example.
What to gather
Income records for both parents, records of maintenance and prior-born child support paid, the child care invoices, the premium that covers the children and a calendar of the actual days with each parent. The court uses the CS-71 worksheet.
Reading the table
The statute does not say how to read the table for an income between two rows. The calculator uses the nearest $100 row; the effect of that choice on a family is at most a few dollars.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kentucky use gross or net income for child support?
Gross income, less maintenance and prior-born child support, which is called adjusted gross income.
Is child care added to Kentucky child support?
Yes. Monthly child care and the children's health insurance premium are added to the table amount and shared in proportion to income, with credit to the parent who pays.
Who is Parent B in the Kentucky worksheet?
The parent with fewer days with the children; if the parents have equal time, the parent with the greater monthly gross income.
What if one parent has all of the income in Kentucky?
The Cabinet's exception worksheet, CS-71.1, is used instead of the standard worksheet.
Where does the Kentucky child support table come from?
KRS 403.212(9), which lists the amounts by combined income and number of children.
Official sources
- KRS 403.212: child support guidelines and table
- KRS 403.2122: shared parenting time credit
- Kentucky Worksheet for Monthly Child Support Obligation (CS-71)
- KRS 403.213: modification of child support
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Kentucky statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Kentucky attorney.