{"id":373204,"date":"2019-01-22T12:47:39","date_gmt":"2019-01-22T17:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-child-support-calculations.html"},"modified":"2025-03-14T14:19:33","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T19:19:33","slug":"indiana-child-support-calculations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-child-support-calculations.html","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Child Support Calculations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Indiana Child Support Calculations<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Bridget Molitor, JD<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Indiana calculates child support using the "Income Shares Model," aiming to provide children with support similar to what they’d receive if their parents lived together. This model considers both parents’ gross incomes, the number of children, and overnights spent with each parent. Factors like special medical expenses and work-related childcare costs also influence the support amount. Courts may adjust payments if needed, ensuring the child’s best interests are prioritized.<\/blockquote>\r\n

Here, we\u2019ll explain how family law judges calculate child support and discuss the factors the Indiana child support guidelines consider when determining the amount of child support the non-custodial parent<\/a> (NCP) will pay.<\/p>\r\n

Negotiating Child Support vs. a Child Support Order<\/h2>\r\n

If you and your spouse divorce or if you were never married to your child\u2019s other parent, you\u2019ll need to discuss child support at some point. Usually, the parent with the fewer number of overnights<\/a> with the kids pays the other parent monthly child support.<\/p>\r\n

There are two ways this can happen. If you\u2019re on good terms with your children\u2019s other parent, the two of you can sit down and rationally discuss child custody and child support<\/a>. You\u2019ll already be familiar with your financial situation and have an idea of how much it costs to provide for your children.<\/p>\r\n

If this is the case, you\u2019ll hopefully be able to agree on how much child support the NCP should pay, following the Indiana child support guidelines<\/a>. Once you agree on an amount, you\u2019ll decide how the NCP will make payment. A judge will then review your agreement to ensure it is fair, legally accurate, and represents your child’s best interests.<\/p>\r\n

If you cannot agree on child support, you\u2019ll have no choice but to petition the court for child support. The judge will review both parents\u2019 financial information and enter it into their child support worksheet<\/a>, which follows the income shares model. The software they use will run the data through the Indiana child support guidelines and provide them with the child support amount.<\/p>\r\n

The judge will then factor in any special circumstances and adjust the guideline amount if necessary. They\u2019ll issue a court order<\/a> stating when and how the NCP must pay child support to the other parent.<\/p>\r\n

Indiana Follows the \u201cIncome Shares Model\u201d for Determining Child Support<\/h2>\r\n

Like many states, Indiana uses the "Income Shares Model<\/a>\u201d to calculate child support. This model strives to give children the same amount of support they would’ve received if their parents lived in the same household.<\/p>\r\n

An Indiana child support calculator<\/a> can provide an estimate of your child support obligation. However, these calculators aren’t case-specific, so their accuracy may be questionable. When the judge reviews your child support case, they\u2019ll rely heavily on the child support guidelines. However, they also take other factors into account, such as special medical expenses and work-related childcare expenses.<\/p>\r\n

Factors That Impact Your Child Support Obligation in Indiana<\/h2>\r\n

The state child support guidelines go a long way toward determining your basic child support obligation. However, there are a host of factors that can affect your monthly child support payment.<\/p>\r\n

Under the Indiana child support rules, some of the factors<\/a> that can impact your child support include:<\/p>\r\n