What Indiana Child Support Costs for Two Children

Indiana has no fixed dollar amount for child support — the court calculates it based on both parents' income, custody arrangement, and other expenses

Indiana does not set a flat rate for child support. Instead, the state uses an income shares model, which means the court looks at what both parents earn, adds those incomes together, and decides what portion each parent pays based on their share of the total household income. For two children, the percentage of income owed is typically higher than for one child, but the exact dollar amount depends entirely on your situation.

The calculation starts with gross monthly income from both parents — wages, self-employment, bonuses, rental income, and certain other sources. The court then subtracts specific deductions (like taxes, health insurance premiums, and support for other children), applies the Indiana child support guideline percentages, and divides the obligation between parents based on custody time and who earns more.

If you need to know what you or the other parent would owe, you need three pieces of information: both parents' gross monthly income, the custody arrangement (how many overnights each parent has), and whether either parent is paying support for other children. A family law attorney or the local child support office can walk through the calculation with your actual numbers.

Key Takeaways

• Indiana child support is calculated as a percentage of combined parental income, not a fixed amount per child.
• For two children, the guideline percentage is typically 20 percent of combined adjusted income, but this varies based on custody time and other factors.
• Both parents' gross income, custody arrangement, and existing child support obligations all affect the final amount.
• The Indiana Child Support Bureau or a family law attorney can calculate the specific amount for your case using your actual income and custody details.
• Child support orders can be modified if either parent's income changes significantly or custody time shifts.

How Indiana Calculates the Percentage for Two Children

Indiana's child support guidelines set a base percentage of income that goes toward child support depending on how many children are involved. For two children, the guideline percentage is 20 percent of combined adjusted income when the parents share custody equally or when one parent has primary custody and pays the other parent support.

This 20 percent is not split evenly between the two children — it is the total obligation for both. The court then divides this obligation between the two parents based on their individual income shares. For example, if Parent A earns 60 percent of the combined income and Parent B earns 40 percent, Parent A pays 60 percent of the 20 percent obligation, and Parent B pays 40 percent.

The percentage can shift if one parent has the children significantly more than half the time. If one parent has primary custody (more than 183 overnights per year), the other parent typically pays a higher percentage because the custodial parent is already spending money on housing, food, and utilities for the children. The non-custodial parent's obligation may increase to 22 percent or higher depending on the exact custody split.

What Income Counts and What Gets Subtracted

The court starts with gross monthly income, which includes wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, interest and dividend income, and certain other sources. It does not include means-tested benefits like TANF or SNAP, but it does include unemployment benefits and workers' compensation in most cases.

From gross income, the court subtracts specific deductions before explore the 20 percent guideline. These deductions include federal, state, and local income taxes; Social Security taxes; health insurance premiums for the children; and child care costs directly related to work or education. If either parent is already paying child support or spousal support for other children, that amount is also subtracted.

Self-employed parents must report net income (revenue minus ordinary business expenses), not gross revenue. If you own a business, bring tax returns and profit-and-loss statements to show what you actually take home. The court will not accept inflated business expenses to artificially lower income, and it will not accept claims that income is lower than tax returns show.

How Custody Time Affects the Amount

The number of overnights each parent has with the children directly changes the child support calculation. Indiana recognizes that the parent with more overnights is already paying for housing, utilities, food, and other expenses for the children during that time, so the other parent's obligation is higher.

If parents split custody roughly equally (each has the children around 183 overnights per year), the calculation uses the base 20 percent guideline and divides it by income share. If one parent has significantly more overnights — say 250 or more per year — the non-custodial parent's percentage obligation increases. The exact increase depends on the custody split, but it can range from 22 percent to 25 percent or higher for two children.

Custody time is counted by overnights, not by daytime hours. An overnight means the child sleeps at that parent's home. If you have the children every weekend but they sleep at the other parent's house, those do not count as your overnights. The court will ask for a detailed custody schedule or parenting time agreement to count accurately.

When Child Support Orders Change

An Indiana child support order is not permanent. Either parent can request a modification if circumstances change significantly. The most common reason is a change in income — if one parent loses a job, gets a substantial raise, or starts a new business, the support amount may need to adjust.

A custody change also triggers a modification. If the non-custodial parent gains more overnights, or if the custodial parent's circumstances shift, the court can recalculate. Indiana also allows automatic review every three years if the order is more than three years old, even if neither parent requests it.

To modify an order, you file a motion with the court that issued the original order. You will need to show the change in circumstances with recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other income documentation. The process typically takes several weeks to a few months, depending on the court's schedule and whether the other parent contests the modification.

Where to Get Your Calculation Done

The Indiana Child Support Bureau, part of the Family and Social Services Administration, can calculate child support based on your income and custody arrangement. You can contact your local county child support office to request a calculation or to discuss an existing order. Many offices offer this service at no cost.

A family law attorney can also run the calculation and explain how the numbers work in your specific case. If you are going through a divorce or custody case, your attorney will prepare the child support calculation as part of the paperwork. If you are modifying an existing order, an attorney can help you gather the right documentation and file the motion.

Some parents use online calculators designed for Indiana, but these are only estimates. They cannot account for all the deductions and adjustments the court considers, and they should not be treated as the final amount. Use them to get a rough idea, but confirm the actual calculation with the child support office or an attorney before relying on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Indiana have a maximum child support amount?

Indiana's guideline percentages explore to combined adjusted income up to a cap, which changes yearly. Once income exceeds that cap, the court has discretion to order support above the guideline percentage or stick with the guideline amount. The court considers the children's standard of living and the parents' ability to pay when deciding. You can check the current income cap with the Indiana Child Support Bureau or a family law attorney.

What if one parent is self-employed or has irregular income?

Self-employed income is calculated as net income from tax returns, usually averaged over the past two years to account for ups and downs. If income is highly variable, the court may average it or use the most recent year depending on the circumstances. Bring complete tax returns, profit-and-loss statements, and business records to court so the judge can see the actual income picture.

Can child support be waived or reduced if parents agree?

Parents can agree to a child support amount different from the guideline, but the court must approve it. The judge will review any agreement to make sure it is not unfair to the children. If the agreed amount is significantly below the guideline, the court may reject it or ask questions about why both parents think it is appropriate. An agreement cannot eliminate child support entirely unless the court finds it is in the children's best interest.

What happens if the paying parent loses their job?

If income drops significantly, the paying parent can request a modification. However, the court will not reduce support just because someone quit a job voluntarily. If the job loss was involuntary, bring documentation like a termination letter or layoff notice. The court may temporarily reduce support while you search for work, but it typically expects you to find employment at a similar income level within a reasonable time.

Does child support end when a child turns 18?

In Indiana, child support generally ends when a child turns 18, but it can continue if the child is still in high school. If a child graduates before age 18, support ends at graduation. If a child is still enrolled in high school after turning 18, support continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first. Support does not continue for college or post-secondary education unless the parents agree in writing.