Quick answer: Kentucky presumes, rebuttably, that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is in a child’s best interests. For child support, a parent with at least 88 days a year can get a shared parenting time credit of 15% up to 50% of the support obligation, depending on the number of days.
This Kentucky parenting time calculator turns a schedule into days a year and looks up the credit in KRS 403.2122. Enter the days in a 14-day cycle and any extra days: the result is arithmetic, and the court decides custody and support.
Kentucky parenting time and custody rules at a glance
| Rule | What Kentucky says |
|---|---|
| Best interests | The court determines custody in accordance with the best interests of the child, with equal consideration to each parent and any de facto custodian (KRS 403.270(2)) |
| Presumption | Rebuttable by a preponderance of the evidence that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is in the child’s best interests (403.270(2)) |
| If equal time is not ordered | The court constructs a schedule that maximizes the time each parent or de facto custodian has with the child, consistent with the child’s welfare (403.270(2)) |
| Domestic violence | A presumption against joint custody and equal time applies if the court finds a party committed two or more acts of domestic violence and abuse (403.270(2)) |
| Child support credit | At least 88 days a year: 15% for 88-115 days up to 50% at 182 to 182.5 days (KRS 403.2122) |
| Changing the schedule | A party may seek modification after a 15% change in the number of timesharing days and must prove a material change (403.2122(5)) |
How do custody and parenting time work in Kentucky?
- Joint or sole custody. See joint versus sole custody in Kentucky.
- Schedules. See parenting time schedules in Kentucky.
- Moving with a child. See moving away with a child in Kentucky.
What does this parenting time calculator check?
You enter the days the other parent has in a typical 14-day cycle and any extra days a year, such as summer and holidays. The calculator scales the cycle to 365 days, adds the extras, finds the parent with fewer days and shows the credit percentage for that count. Kentucky defines a day as more than 12 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period, so the count uses overnights as an approximation. It does not calculate child support: use the Kentucky child support calculator for that, and the Kentucky divorce timeline calculator for the dates of the case.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kentucky presume joint custody and equal time?
Yes, rebuttably. The statute presumes, unless rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence, that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is in the child’s best interests.
How many days start the Kentucky shared parenting time credit?
88 days a year, where a day is more than 12 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period.
How big is the Kentucky shared parenting time credit?
From 15% at 88 to 115 days up to 50% at 182 to 182.5 days of the total support obligation.
Does domestic violence affect Kentucky custody?
A presumption against joint custody and equal time applies when the court finds two or more acts of domestic violence and abuse.
Does this Kentucky calculator set child support?
No. It counts days and looks up the credit; the Kentucky child support calculator estimates the guideline amount.