Kentucky combines both parents' gross monthly incomes into one figure, looks up the result on a state guideline table, and splits the obligation between the parents based on their share of that combined income. Health insurance and work-related child care costs get added on top and divided the same way. A major guideline overhaul took effect July 1, 2025, raising the income ceiling on the table and codifying a shared parenting time credit that reduces support based on overnights.
Kentucky's income shares calculation under KRS 403.212, what counts as income, the July 2025 guideline update and its $30,000-a-month ceiling, the $915 self-support reserve, a worked example, the shared parenting time credit under KRS 403.2122, health insurance and child care add-ons, and how modification works.
Kentucky's income shares model: combine, then split
Kentucky uses an income shares model under KRS 403.212. The idea behind income shares is that a child should generally receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if both parents lived in the same household. To get there, courts add both parents' gross monthly incomes together, then figure out what percentage of that combined total each parent contributes.
That combined-income approach is what separates Kentucky from a small number of states that apply a flat percentage to only the paying parent's income. In Kentucky, both parents' earnings are part of the calculation from the very first step, and both parents share responsibility for the basic obligation in proportion to what they earn.
The basic steps: table, split, add-ons
The calculation follows a consistent sequence set out in the statute and the Kentucky Attorney General's child support worksheet.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Determine gross income | Each parent's gross monthly income is established, with deductions for pre-existing maintenance and child support obligations to other households |
| 2. Combine incomes | Both parents' adjusted gross incomes are added together to get the combined monthly adjusted parental gross income |
| 3. Find each parent's share | Each parent's income is divided by the combined total to get a percentage contribution |
| 4. Look up the basic obligation | The combined income and number of children are matched against Kentucky's child support guidelines table |
| 5. Split the basic obligation | Each parent's percentage share (step 3) is applied to the basic obligation (step 4) |
| 6. Apply the lowest of three calculations | The obligor pays the lowest amount produced by the standard split, the self-support reserve calculation, or the shared parenting time credit, whichever applies |
This sequence produces the standard obligation before health insurance and work-related child care costs are added at the end.
What counts as income in Kentucky
Kentucky's guidelines define gross income broadly — most money coming in before taxes generally counts toward the calculation.
| Income type | Generally included? |
|---|---|
| Wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses | Yes |
| Self-employment income | Yes — gross receipts minus ordinary business expenses |
| Pension, retirement, and Social Security income | Yes |
| Disability and workers' compensation payments | Yes |
| Alimony or maintenance received | Yes |
| Means-tested public assistance (SNAP, TANF) | Generally excluded |
If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or working below their earning capacity, a court may impute income — assigning a figure based on employment history, education, and job opportunities in the local labor market, rather than accepting a reduced paycheck at face value. Courts generally do not impute income to a parent who is incarcerated, physically or mentally incapacitated, or caring for a very young child, age three or younger, that both parents are responsible for.
The July 2025 update: a higher income ceiling
Kentucky's guidelines were amended by 2024 House Bill 244, effective July 1, 2025. The update raised the combined gross income ceiling on the guideline table to $30,000 a month, up from a much lower cap under the prior version of the statute. For combined incomes above that ceiling, judges have discretion to set support based on the child's needs and other factors rather than reading a number straight off the table.
The self-support reserve: protecting a minimum income
Before finalizing an obligation, Kentucky's guidelines apply a self-support reserve of $915 a month, current under the guidelines effective July 1, 2025. This reserve is meant to leave a lower-income paying parent enough to cover basic subsistence needs after child support is paid. When a parent's own monthly adjusted gross income falls at or below a set threshold, the obligation is calculated using that parent's income alone instead of the combined total.
| Number of children | Self-support reserve income threshold |
|---|---|
| 1 child | $1,100/month or less |
| 2 children | $1,300/month or less |
| 3 children | $1,400/month or less |
| 4 or 5 children | $1,500/month or less |
| 6 or more children | $1,600/month or less |
Even with this protection, Kentucky still sets a minimum monthly child support obligation of $60. The obligated parent ultimately pays whichever is lowest: the standard income-shares split, the self-support reserve calculation, or the shared parenting time credit calculation described below.
Worked example — the basic calculation
This is a hypothetical example for illustration only. Use the child support calculator for an estimate based on your own numbers.
This is the basic figure before health insurance and child care are added, and before any shared parenting time credit is applied.
The shared parenting time credit
Kentucky codified a shared parenting time credit under KRS 403.2122. A parent who has care, custody, or control of the children for 73 or more days a year — roughly one out of every five nights — may qualify for a credit that reduces their calculated support obligation. The credit scales up as overnights increase, with its largest effect at equal, 50/50 parenting time. A "day" generally means more than 12 consecutive hours of care in a 24-hour period.
A parent with 73 or more court-ordered overnights doesn't automatically receive the credit — Kentucky's guidelines generally require the parent to actually and consistently exercise that time. A parent with an order for significant parenting time who exercises far less of it in practice may not receive the full credit. The shared parenting time credit and the self-support reserve calculation generally cannot both apply to the same case — the obligor pays whichever of the applicable calculations produces the lowest amount.
Worked example — shared parenting time credit
Simplified for illustration. The actual percentage applied depends on Kentucky's official worksheet and the exact number of overnights.
Because Parent B has more than 73 overnights and consistently exercises that time, Parent A's obligation is reduced by the applicable credit percentage. The closer parenting time gets to an even 182.5/182.5 split, the larger the reduction.
Health insurance, medical expenses, and child care add-ons
The basic obligation covers everyday costs like housing, food, and clothing. Reasonable and necessary uninsured medical expenses beyond routine care are generally divided between the parents in proportion to their income share. Whichever parent pays the premium for the children's health insurance generally receives a credit for the portion of that premium covering the children. Work-related child care costs are typically added to the total obligation and divided the same way, based on each parent's percentage of combined income.
For a broader look at how property and spousal support are handled alongside child support, see the Kentucky divorce finances overview. We also have a companion guide on how alimony is calculated in Kentucky, where courts use the term "maintenance" and weigh statutory factors rather than a formula.
When can Kentucky child support be modified?
Either parent can ask a court to modify an existing order when there has been a material change in circumstances — a significant increase or decrease in either parent's income, a new parenting time schedule, a change in a child's medical or child care costs, or enough time passing since the last review. Informally reducing or skipping payments without a modified order is not a safe substitute for going back to court, since the original order generally stays enforceable until it's formally changed. For more on how the modification process typically works, see our general guide on child support modification.
See a child support estimate for your situation
Free calculator — no signup, no upsell.
Common questions about Kentucky child support
How is child support calculated in Kentucky? Kentucky combines both parents' gross monthly incomes, looks up the combined obligation on the state's child support guidelines table, splits it based on each parent's income share, and then adds health insurance and work-related child care costs divided the same way. For a broader explanation of income shares versus other state models, see our general guide on how child support is calculated.
What is Kentucky's self-support reserve? It's a $915-a-month income floor built into the guidelines effective July 1, 2025. When a paying parent's own income falls at or below a threshold that ranges from $1,100 to $1,600 depending on the number of children, the obligation is calculated using only that parent's income, and the minimum obligation is $60 a month.
How does the shared parenting time credit work in Kentucky? A parent with 73 or more overnights a year who consistently exercises that time may qualify for a credit under KRS 403.2122 that reduces their support obligation. The credit scales up as overnights increase, reaching its largest effect at an even 50/50 split.
Can Kentucky child support be modified? Yes, when there's been a material change in circumstances — a significant income change, a new parenting time schedule, or a change in a child's costs. The change generally needs to go through the court to be enforceable.
Educational purposes only. This article provides general information about how Kentucky child support is typically calculated and is not legal or financial advice. Every case is different and outcomes vary significantly based on specific circumstances, judicial discretion, local rules, and factors not captured here. Always consult a licensed family law attorney in Kentucky for advice specific to your situation.