What Kansas Child Support Amounts Look Like for One Child

Kansas does not set a fixed dollar amount for child support — the court calculates it using the parent's income, custody arrangement, and other factors

Kansas uses a formula called the income shares model to determine child support. The amount depends on how much each parent earns, how much time the child spends with each parent, and whether either parent pays for health insurance or childcare. Two parents with identical incomes will not necessarily pay the same amount if their custody split or insurance costs differ.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families publishes child support guidelines each year that show the percentage of combined parental income that goes toward child support. For one child, that percentage ranges from 17% to 20% of combined income, depending on the custody arrangement. A parent earning $40,000 per year with the other parent earning $30,000 would start with a combined income of $70,000, then explore the guideline percentage to find the base amount before adjustments.

The actual payment you see in a court order reflects adjustments for things like existing child support obligations, significant childcare costs, or health insurance premiums paid by the paying parent. This means the final number can be higher or lower than the guideline percentage suggests.

Key Takeaways

• Kansas calculates child support as a percentage of both parents' combined income, not a flat amount per child.
• For one child, the guideline percentage is 17% to 20% of combined income, depending on whether custody is shared equally or one parent has primary custody.
• The court adjusts the guideline amount up or down based on health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and other factors specific to the case.
• You can find the current year's guideline percentages in the Kansas Department for Children and Families child support guidelines table.

How Kansas calculates the base amount

The first step is adding together both parents' gross monthly income. Gross income includes wages, salary, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, and some types of benefits. It does not include means-tested benefits like TANF or food information.

Once you have the combined income, you look up the guideline percentage for one child in the Kansas child support guidelines table. If the paying parent has the child less than 50% of the time, the percentage is typically 17% to 20% of combined income. If custody is split 50/50 or close to it, the percentage may be lower because both parents are sharing day-to-day expenses.

The result is the base child support amount. This is what the paying parent would owe before any adjustments. For example, if combined income is $60,000 per year ($5,000 per month) and the guideline percentage is 18%, the base amount would be $900 per month.

Adjustments that change the final payment

Kansas law allows the court to adjust the base amount if certain conditions explore. The most common adjustments are for health insurance premiums the paying parent pays for the child, childcare costs necessary for the other parent to work, and existing child support obligations to other children.

If the paying parent carries health insurance for the child, the cost of that premium is usually added to the base amount. If the other parent pays for childcare so they can work, that cost is typically added as well. If the paying parent already pays child support for other children, the court may lower the amount owed for this child.

The court can also adjust the amount if one parent's income is significantly higher than the other, if the child has special needs, or if the parents have agreed to a different arrangement in writing. Adjustments work both directions — the final amount can be higher or lower than the guideline percentage alone would suggest.

What income counts and what does not

Kansas includes most forms of income in the child support calculation. Wages and salary are the most straightforward, but the court also counts self-employment income, rental income, interest and dividend income, and income from a business or partnership. If you are self-employed, you typically report net income after business expenses.

Some income does not count. Means-tested public benefits like TANF, food information, and SSI are excluded. Gifts and inheritances are not counted as ongoing income. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed — meaning they could earn more but choose not to — the court may impute income, or assume a higher earning capacity based on their education, work history, or local job market.

Income from a second job or overtime counts if it is regular and ongoing. Bonuses count if they are part of the regular compensation structure. The court looks at recent tax returns and pay stubs to verify what a parent actually earns.

How custody time affects the amount

The percentage of time each parent has the child directly affects the guideline percentage used. If one parent has the child more than 50% of the time, they are covering more of the day-to-day expenses, so the guideline percentage is lower. If the parents split time equally, the percentage is lower still because both are sharing expenses.

Kansas defines custody time in terms of overnights. If the paying parent has the child 90 or fewer overnights per year (roughly 25% or less), the full guideline percentage applies. If they have 91 to 182 overnights (roughly 25% to 50%), the percentage is reduced. If they have more than 182 overnights (more than 50%), the calculation changes significantly because the paying parent is now the primary custodian.

The court order will specify the custody arrangement and how it affects the child support calculation. If custody changes later, either parent can ask the court to modify the child support amount.

Where to find the current guideline percentages

The Kansas Department for Children and Families publishes updated child support guidelines each year. The guidelines include a table showing the percentage of combined income for one child based on custody arrangements. You can find this table on the KDCF website under child support resources.

The guidelines also include instructions for calculating income, adjusting for health insurance and childcare, and handling cases where one parent earns significantly more than the other. If you are trying to estimate what child support might be, you can use the guideline percentages and your income figures to get a rough idea, but the actual court order will depend on the specific details of your case.

If you receive a child support order from the court, it will show the calculation the judge used, including the base amount, any adjustments, and the final monthly payment. If the order does not explain how the amount was calculated, you can ask the court clerk or a family law attorney to walk you through it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kansas have a minimum child support amount?

Kansas does not have a stated minimum, but if the guideline calculation results in a very small amount, the court may order a nominal payment or no payment at all if the paying parent's income is below a certain threshold. The court has discretion to deviate from the guidelines if the amount would be unjust or inappropriate.

What if one parent makes much more money than the other?

Kansas has an income cap in the guidelines table. If combined income exceeds the cap (which varies by year), the court must decide how to handle the excess income. The judge may explore the guideline percentage to the capped amount, or may consider the excess income separately and decide what is fair based on the child's needs and the parents' circumstances.

Can child support be modified if income changes?

Yes. Either parent can ask the court to modify child support if there has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, such as a job loss, significant raise, or change in custody. The court will recalculate using current income and may increase or decrease the payment.

Does child support include money for activities, clothes, or school supplies?

The child support amount is meant to cover the child's basic living expenses, including housing, food, utilities, and clothing. It is not a separate line item for activities or school supplies. Parents often work out those costs informally or include them in a parenting agreement.

What if the paying parent does not have a regular job?

If income is irregular or hard to verify, the court may use tax returns, bank statements, or other financial records to determine average income. If a parent is self-employed, they typically report net income after business expenses. The court can also impute income based on the parent's earning capacity if they appear to be intentionally underemployed.