Last verified: February 2026
Kansas child support guidelines consider parental financial care as an equal obligation of both parents, whether married or unmarried. What determines how much child support you pay in sole physical custody cases is primarily your income and the amount of time you spend with your child. This guide explains Kansas child support calculations, modifications, and enforcement.
Quick Summary: Kansas Child Support
- Model Used: Income Shares Model (with Shared Expense and Equal Parenting Time formulas)
- Age of Termination: 18 years old (or 19 if still in high school)
- Governing Law: Kansas Child Support Guidelines; Kansas Statutes 23-3001 to 23-3103
- Recent Update: Guidelines updated May 1, 2025
- Criminal Nonsupport: Level 10 felony (up to 7 months jail, $100,000 fine)
- Paternity Help: 888-757-2445
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
How Child Support Is Calculated in Kansas
Kansas uses the Child Support Schedules to determine support based on the combined monthly gross incomes of both parents and the number of children. The schedules rely on national data regarding average family expenditures and are updated periodically. The most recent update took effect May 1, 2025.
Kansas does not provide an official state calculator. However, you can access fillable worksheets and the current guidelines from the Kansas Courts Child Support Guidelines page.
Key Resources
Basic Calculation Process
- Determine each parent’s gross income from all sources
- Make adjustments (deductions for child support paid to other relationships, spousal maintenance, etc.)
- Calculate combined child support income
- Find the basic support obligation from the Schedule based on combined income, number of children, and ages
- Determine each parent’s proportional share
- Apply applicable adjustments (parenting time, health insurance, child care, etc.)
The Child Support Schedules include different amounts based on child age groups (0-5, 6-11, and 12-18), recognizing that older children typically cost more to support.
What Counts as Child Support Income
Kansas starts with gross income and makes specific adjustments to arrive at “child support income.”
Gross Income Includes:
- Wages, salary, and tips
- Bonuses and commissions
- Overtime and shift differential pay
- Vacation pay
- Military or National Guard pay (including housing allowances when on active duty)
- Disability payments
- Workers’ compensation benefits
- Distributions from retirement plans
- Self-employment income (after reasonable business expenses)
What Is NOT Included:
- Child support received for other children
- Public assistance based on financial need (Medicaid, SSI, TANF)
- Gifts and inheritances (generally)
Adjustments to Gross Income
- Court-ordered child support actually being paid for other children
- Spousal maintenance paid (to ex-spouses or the other parent in this case)
- Cost-of-living differential (when parents live in different states or metropolitan areas)
Imputed Income
If a parent appears deliberately unemployed or underemployed, Kansas judges may impute income based on earning capacity. Judges consider the parent’s assets, earnings history, work search efforts, job skills, education, age, health, and employment barriers.
Adjustments to Child Support
Beyond the basic support obligation, Kansas guidelines allow several adjustments:
Health Insurance and Child Care
- Health Insurance Premiums: Cost for the child’s health, dental, vision, and mental health coverage (must be reasonable)
- Child Care: Work-related child care costs necessary for a parent to work or seek employment (reduced by available tax credit)
- Unreimbursed Medical Expenses: Both parents share proportionally
Parenting Time Adjustments
When the non-custodial parent has significant parenting time, the guidelines allow for reduced support:
- 35-39% parenting time: Up to 10% reduction
- 40-44% parenting time: Up to 20% reduction
- 45-49% parenting time: Up to 30% reduction
An “actual cost adjustment” based on increased costs and the custodial parent’s savings may also apply.
For extended parenting time (more than 14 consecutive days, such as summer vacations), monthly support may be reduced by up to 50% proportionately.
Other Adjustments
- Long-distance parenting time costs (such as airfare)
- Tax exemption allocation effects
- Special needs expenses
- Agreements to support a child past age 18
- Overall financial circumstances justifying deviation
Shared Custody and Equal Parenting Time
Kansas provides two formulas for shared custody situations:
Shared Expense Formula
Used when parents need to divide direct expenses (enrollment fees, sports fees, field trips) but do not have equal time. This requires cooperation and record-keeping.
Equal Parenting Time Formula
Discretionary with the court when:
- A shared residential custody arrangement is in the child’s best interest
- Parents share the child’s time equally
Under this formula, one parent pays all direct expenses (clothing, school costs, extracurriculars) while the other parent’s support is adjusted to balance the arrangement.
These formulas apply when parents fail to reach agreement, when the shared formula would be unfair, or when another approach is in the child’s best interest.
How to Modify Child Support in Kansas
To modify child support in Kansas, you must file the following with the court:
- Motion to Modify Child Support
- Child Support Worksheet
- Short-form Domestic Relations Declaration of Facts (affidavit) with supporting documents
- Notice of Hearing
- Request and Service Instruction Form
When to Modify
- After 3 years: Either parent can petition without proving changed circumstances
- Before 3 years: Must demonstrate a “substantial change in circumstances” such as:
- Involuntary job loss
- Change in earnings
- Change in child’s age group
- Change in residential custody
Important: Retroactive modifications are generally NOT allowed. Appeals must be based on evidence presented to the trial court.
Follow these steps to modify child support.
Retroactive Child Support
While retroactive modifications are not permitted, judges can order retroactive support in certain situations considering the obligor’s net resources and paternity knowledge.
Paternity Warning: Do not sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity if:
- You are not sure you are the father
- The mother is separated but not legally divorced
- The mother was legally married at the time or within 300 days
Paternity must be established before the child turns 18. For paternity concerns, call 888-757-2445.
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
Kansas Child Support Services (CSS) enforces child support orders. If a parent falls behind for more than 30 calendar days, CSS can:
- Report to credit bureaus: Affecting credit scores and ability to borrow
- Issue income withholding orders: Automatic payroll deductions
- Place liens: Against real property, home, car, and other assets
- Suspend licenses: Professional, recreational, and driver’s licenses
- Deny or revoke passport: If arrears exceed $2,500
- Intercept tax refunds: Federal and state
- Initiate contempt proceedings: May result in jail time
Child Support Evaders List
Kansas maintains a child support evaders web page where delinquent parents may be publicly listed with their photo, last known location, and case information.
Criminal Nonsupport
Under Kansas Statutes Chapter 21 (Crimes and Punishments) Section 21-5606, “criminal nonsupport” is defined as:
- Parental failure, neglect, or refusal without lawful excuse to provide maintenance and support of a child in necessitous circumstances
- An individual’s failure without cause to provide support to a spouse in necessitous circumstances
Penalties:
- Level 10 felony: Up to 7 months imprisonment
- Fine: Up to $100,000
What If You Cannot Pay?
If you lose your job or circumstances change significantly:
- Contact CSS or the court immediately
- Work with the other parent on a payment plan
- If receiving unemployment benefits, CSS will collect from those benefits
Jail is typically a last resort because it hinders the parent’s ability to earn income.
When Child Support Ends in Kansas
Under Kansas Statute 23-3001, child support ordinarily ends when the child turns 18. However:
- High School Student: Support continues until the end of the school year if the child is still in high school after turning 18 (may extend another year in certain circumstances)
- Written Agreement: Parents can agree to provide support beyond age 18 (such as for college)
- Disability: Support may continue indefinitely for children with special needs
Termination of Parental Rights
Kansas recognizes three statutory methods for terminating parental rights:
- Formal petition to relinquish rights, approved by a state agency
- State determination that parents cannot adequately care for the child
- Adoption
Important: Parents cannot simply give up parental rights to avoid child support. A judge must approve any termination.
Emancipation
Under KSA 38-108, Kansas allows minors to seek emancipation if they:
- Are at least 14 years old
- Are not living with their parents
- Have a legal source of income (financially independent)
- Have parental consent
Once emancipated, parents have no further legal obligation to support the child.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can parents agree on a child support amount?
Yes, but the agreement must be submitted to the court for approval. Kansas judges are legally required to follow the guidelines, so agreements should align with guideline calculations. (Kansas Statute 23-3002)
Is there an official Kansas child support calculator?
No. Kansas does not provide an official online calculator. Use the worksheet (PDF) to calculate support manually. Be cautious of third-party calculators that may not reflect current guidelines.
What if I have multiple children with different parenting schedules?
Run separate worksheets for each schedule and average the parenting time credits.
Can CSS represent me in court?
No. Child Support Services cannot represent you in court. However, CSS can establish orders, enforce them, and help with retroactive support if paternity has been established.
How do I pay child support in Kansas?
Most orders include income withholding (payroll deductions). Payments go through the Kansas Payment Center and are then distributed to the recipient parent.
For additional questions, consult with a family court attorney in your area to guarantee your rights, modify standing orders, and avoid losing money.
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