Child support is one of the most important financial responsibilities parents face when raising children apart. In Kansas, child support is not optional, it is a legal obligation designed to ensure that children continue to benefit from the financial resources of both parents after separation or divorce.
This guide explains the Kansas child support basics step by step. It covers how child support is calculated, what the Kansas Child Support Guidelines require, how parenting time and expenses affect the outcome, and what happens if payments are not made. We will also walk through enforcement, modification, and common questions parents often ask.
By the end of this page, you should have a clear picture of how child support in Kansas works and where to go for help.
What is Child Support in Kansas?
Child support is money that one parent pays to the other to help meet the child’s needs. The goal is to make sure that children receive financial support consistent with what they would have received if both parents were still together.
Kansas follows the Income Shares Model. This model assumes that children are entitled to the same proportion of parental income they would have enjoyed if the household had remained intact. Both parents are financially responsible, even if one parent has more custody time.
The rules for calculating child support come from the Kansas Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines are adopted by the Kansas Supreme Court and updated regularly to reflect changes in costs of raising children. Judges must use the guidelines when determining support, though they may adjust orders in special situations.
The Kansas Child Support Guidelines
The Kansas child support guidelines serve as the foundation for calculating obligations. They contain formulas, schedules, and rules that apply statewide.
Key features of the guidelines include:
- Use of both parents’ gross income rather than net income.
- Consideration of the number of children and their ages.
- Adjustments for health insurance, childcare costs, and parenting time.
- Rules for special circumstances, such as children with disabilities or parents supporting children from multiple families.
Federal law requires every state to review its child support guidelines at least once every four years. Kansas follows this requirement and consults economists, lawyers, and judges to keep the system fair and updated.
Calculating Child Support in Kansas
The amount of child support is determined through a series of steps:
- Determine each parent’s gross monthly income. This includes wages, salaries, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and self-employment income. Certain deductions may apply for spousal maintenance or other child support obligations.
- Combine parental income. The combined figure determines where the family falls on the support schedule.
- Find the basic support obligation. Using the official schedule, courts identify the baseline amount based on the combined income and number of children.
- Divide the obligation proportionally. Each parent’s share of the combined income dictates their percentage of the obligation.
- Apply adjustments. Factors like health insurance premiums, child care, and parenting time are added or subtracted.
The final number becomes the presumptive amount of support. Judges can deviate if strict application would be unfair, but the guidelines are the starting point in nearly every case.
Example of Basic Support Schedule
The following table illustrates how a basic support obligation might look under Kansas guidelines. Actual amounts are available in the official schedule published by the Kansas Judicial Branch.
Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
$3,000 | $480 | $700 | $880 |
$5,000 | $780 | $1,100 | $1,400 |
$7,500 | $1,100 | $1,550 | $2,000 |
This baseline is then adjusted for parenting time, health insurance, and other expenses.
Factors That Influence Child Support
Several variables determine how much support is ordered in Kansas:
Gross Income
Child support is based on gross income, not net. Courts use income before taxes, but they may consider some adjustments for spousal maintenance or court-ordered payments for other children.
Number and Age of Children
The support schedule increases with more children and higher age brackets, since teenagers typically cost more to raise than younger children.
Parenting Time
If the noncustodial parent has substantial parenting time (35% or more), the guidelines allow a percentage reduction in the obligation. Equal parenting time may trigger shared expense formulas.
Health Insurance and Child Care
Work-related child care and health insurance premiums for the child are factored into the order. The parent who pays these costs often receives a credit.
Extraordinary Expenses
Unusual medical needs, private schooling, or other significant child-related costs may lead to additional adjustments.
Multi-Family Considerations
If a parent is legally supporting children from another relationship, the guidelines allow adjustments so that resources are shared fairly.
Parenting Time Adjustments
Kansas recognizes that costs shift when children spend significant time with both parents. Adjustments are built into the guidelines:
Parenting Time (Noncustodial Parent) | Support Adjustment |
35-39% of time | 10% reduction |
40-44% of time | 20% reduction |
45-49% of time | 30% reduction |
At 50/50 custody, a separate shared expense formula may apply.
Establishing a Child Support Order
To establish child support in Kansas, one parent, or sometimes the state, must initiate proceedings. The process usually includes:
- Application for services through Kansas Child Support Services (DCF) or by filing directly with the court.
- Paternity determination if the parents were not married at the child’s birth, often requiring genetic testing.
- Submission of financial affidavits detailing income, childcare costs, and insurance.
- Court hearing where a judge reviews the worksheet and applies the guidelines.
- Issuance of a child support order, which becomes legally binding.
Most orders also include an income withholding order, directing the paying parent’s employer to deduct support automatically from wages.
Duration of Child Support
In Kansas, support generally lasts until the child turns 18. If the child is still in high school at that age, payments continue until graduation or until the child turns 19, whichever comes first.
Courts may extend obligations if a child has significant disabilities requiring ongoing care. Parents cannot end support early by private agreement, only a judge can terminate or extend orders.
Modification of Child Support
Child support orders can be modified if circumstances change. Kansas law allows modification when applying the guidelines would change the obligation by at least 10%.
Common reasons for modification include:
- Substantial change in parental income.
- A child entering a new age bracket under the schedule.
- Increase or decrease in childcare or insurance costs.
- Changes in custody or parenting time.
To modify support, a parent must file a motion and submit an updated worksheet. Orders are not changed retroactively; modifications only apply from the date the motion is filed.
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
Kansas takes enforcement of child support obligations seriously. If payments are missed, several remedies are available.
Enforcement Tool | How It Works |
Income withholding | Wages are garnished directly through the employer. |
Tax refund intercepts | State or federal refunds are applied to overdue support. |
License suspension | Driver’s, professional, or recreational licenses may be revoked. |
Liens on property | Real estate, vehicles, or other property may be subject to liens. |
Credit reporting | Arrears reported to credit bureaus, lowering credit scores. |
Contempt of court | Non-paying parents may face fines or jail time. |
Criminal non-support | Willful avoidance can result in misdemeanor or federal charges. |
These measures are designed to ensure that children continue receiving the support they are entitled to.
Kansas Child Support Services (CSS)
The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) operates Child Support Services (CSS). This state program helps establish, enforce, and modify child support orders. CSS can:
- Locate absent parents.
- Establish paternity.
- Enforce orders through wage garnishment, tax intercepts, and license suspensions.
- Review orders every three years for possible adjustment.
CSS is especially important for parents receiving public assistance, but any parent can apply for services.
Child Support and Taxes
Child support has specific tax rules:
- Payments are not tax deductible for the paying parent.
- Payments are not considered taxable income for the receiving parent.
- Only one parent may claim the child as a dependent for income tax purposes. Courts often specify which parent has this right, sometimes alternating yearly.
Failure to coordinate tax filings can create disputes, so parents should follow the court’s order closely.
Common Questions About Kansas Child Support
How is Kansas child support different from other states?
Kansas uses the Income Shares Model, like many states, but reviews its guidelines regularly and allows unique adjustments for shared custody, extraordinary expenses, and multi-family obligations.
What if the other parent lives in another state?
Kansas enforces support across state lines using the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). This allows states to work together to collect payments even if a parent has moved.
Can unpaid child support be forgiven?
No. Arrears do not disappear. Interest may be added, and only a court can reduce or settle unpaid balances.
Can grandparents request child support?
Yes. If grandparents have legal custody of a child, they may be entitled to receive support from the parents.
What happens if the paying parent goes to jail?
The parent may request modification due to inability to earn income. However, support is not automatically paused, only the court can approve changes.
Final Remarks
Understanding Kansas child support basics is essential for both parents. Whether you are paying or receiving support, the process is structured around fairness and the well-being of the child. The Kansas Child Support Guidelines ensure consistency, while enforcement measures guarantee compliance.
Parents who face changes in income or custody should act quickly to request modification rather than letting arrears build. With tools like the child support worksheet, CSS services, and court oversight, Kansas provides a clear path for ensuring that children are supported.
Child support is more than a legal obligation, it is a commitment to meeting a child’s everyday needs, from housing and food to education and healthcare. Staying informed about how the system works helps parents protect both their rights and their children’s futures.