Last verified: February 2026
Indiana uses the Income Shares Model for child support calculations, ensuring children receive the same level of support they would have received if their parents remained together. This guide covers Indiana’s 2024 updated guidelines, including calculation methods, modification procedures, and enforcement actions.
Quick Summary: Indiana Child Support
- Model Used: Income Shares Model
- Age of Termination: 19 years old
- Governing Law: Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines
- Major Update: New guidelines effective May 14, 2024
- Statute of Limitations: 10 years after child turns 18; 20 years for judgments
- Customer Service: KIDSLINE 1-800-840-8757
If after reading this you have further questions and would like a consultation, you can get a free case consultation from a local lawyer here.
Table Of Contents
Overview of Indiana Child Support Guidelines
Indiana’s child support guidelines, originally adopted in 1989 and most recently updated May 14, 2024, serve three primary functions:
- Ensure an appropriate standard of support for children based on parental ability to pay
- Make child support awards equitable through consistent treatment
- Improve the efficiency of the court process
The guidelines are based on the Income Shares Model, which assumes the child should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents remained together.
2024 Guideline Changes
The May 2024 Indiana Child Support Guidelines update brought several significant changes:
- Updated Support Schedule: New calculation tables reflecting current economic data
- Health Care Costs: Revised treatment of health care expenses, including removal of the “6% Rule” for cash medical support
- Multiple Parenting Schedules: New instructions for calculating parenting time credit when children have different schedules
- Worksheet Requirements: Enhanced emphasis on filing complete Child Support Obligation Worksheets with the court
For families with multiple children and different parenting schedules for each child, the 2024 amendments require running multiple worksheets (one per schedule) and averaging the resulting parenting time credits.
How Child Support Is Calculated in Indiana
Use the official Indiana Child Support Calculator to estimate your support obligation. The calculator guides you through entering information about children, income, parenting time, health care, and other costs.
Basic Calculation Steps
- Determine each parent’s weekly gross income and make “certain adjustments”
- Add both parents’ adjusted income to get combined gross income
- Compare combined income to the support tables in the Indiana Schedule of Weekly Support Payments
- Add additional expenses including health insurance premiums and basic support
- Calculate each parent’s proportionate share based on their percentage of combined adjusted income
Deviations from Guidelines
Indiana judges may deviate from the guidelines if strict application would yield a harsh, unreasonable, or inappropriate result. Factors justifying deviation include:
- Significant travel expenses for parenting time
- Unusual daily work commute expenses
- Support of an elderly parent
- Military housing benefits
- Extraordinary personal expenses of the non-custodial parent
- Purchase of school clothes by non-custodial parent
What Counts as Income in Indiana
Indiana uses “gross weekly income” for support calculations. Income includes:
- Salaries, wages, and self-employment income
- Commissions and bonuses
- Overtime (regular or expected)
- All forms of irregular income
- Royalties
- Trust income
- Disability benefits
- Workers’ compensation
- Unemployment benefits
Additional Expenses That May Be Covered
Beyond basic support, child support orders may address:
- Daily needs (food, housing, clothing)
- Medical insurance and expenses
- Private school or college educational needs
Note: Extra-curricular activities (sports leagues, summer camp, etc.) are considered “optional expenses” and require parental agreement on how costs will be shared.
How to Modify Child Support in Indiana
Indiana allows child support modification with or without the other parent’s agreement:
- With Agreement: Fill out this form
- Without Agreement: Fill out this form
Modification procedures may vary by county. View county guidelines here.
Grounds for Modification
- Substantial and continuing change in circumstances (involuntary unemployment, disability, illness)
- Current support differs by at least 20% from what guidelines would calculate based on changed circumstances
- At least 12 months have passed since the original order or last modification
- Change in parenting time
- Additional children born to either parent
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
Before discussing enforcement, it is important to understand: if paternity has not been established, you should do so before signing any binding agreement. Indiana law presumes the husband is the father if a child is born within 300 days after a marriage legally ends.
For enforcement assistance, contact your Local County Child Support office.
Contempt of Court
If you fail to pay child support, the court will hold you in contempt and summon you to explain. Even if unemployed, the court may require you to find a job or order community service.
Civil Enforcement Actions
For willful non-payment, Indiana can:
- Suspend or Revoke Licenses:
- Driver’s license
- Professional licenses
- Horse gaming commission licenses
- Tobacco/alcohol employee permits
- Income Withholding: Automatic payroll deductions
- Tax Intercept: Federal and state refund seizure
- Liens: Against vehicles and real property
- Bank Account Garnishment
Criminal Penalties
Under Indiana Code 35-46-1-5, knowingly and intentionally failing to pay child support carries serious consequences:
- Class D Felony: Fine up to $10,000 and/or 1.5 to 3 years imprisonment
- Class C Felony (arrears exceeding $15,000): Up to 8 years imprisonment
Federal charges may also apply in certain circumstances.
When Child Support Ends in Indiana
In Indiana, the age of emancipation is 19. However, child support does not end automatically. The court decides whether payments will cease or continue, considering:
- Whether the child can care for themselves
- Mental or physical disabilities (payments may continue indefinitely)
- Educational status
Even after termination, child support collection may continue for up to four weeks.
Early Termination Options
Emancipation forms allow child support to end before age 19 if the child:
- Gets married
- Joins active military service
- Demonstrates financial independence to the court
Statute of Limitations
- Enforcement orders: 10 years after child turns 18 or emancipation
- Child support judgments: 20 years
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check how much child support I owe?
Call the KIDSLINE at 1-800-840-8757 or contact your attorney if you have one. The automated phone service is available 24/7, and live customer service is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
How are payments received?
Payments are distributed weekly or monthly depending on your agreement via Direct Deposit or MasterCard.
What if I was not told about the child and now face back support?
If you are unsure about paternity, push for genetic testing before signing any agreements. Contact the county prosecutor’s Title IV-D office for paternity establishment services.
Can the other parent withhold visitation if I cannot pay?
No. Visitation rights and child support obligations are legally separate issues. Contact the court if visitation is being withheld.
What happens if my employer does not forward the withheld support?
Employers who fail to comply with income withholding orders face penalties. Report the issue to your local child support office.
For a free consultation with a local family law attorney, reach out here.
Related Indiana Laws