Indiana Child Support Calculations
By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Bridget Molitor, J.D. | Last reviewed March 14, 2025
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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.
Here, we’ll 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 (NCP) will pay.
Negotiating Child Support vs. a Child Support Order
If you and your spouse divorce or if you were never married to your child’s other parent, you’ll need to discuss child support at some point. Usually, the parent with the fewer number of overnights with the kids pays the other parent monthly child support.
There are two ways this can happen. If you’re on good terms with your children’s other parent, the two of you can sit down and rationally discuss child custody and child support. You’ll already be familiar with your financial situation and have an idea of how much it costs to provide for your children.
If this is the case, you’ll hopefully be able to agree on how much child support the NCP should pay, following the Indiana child support guidelines. Once you agree on an amount, you’ll 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.
If you cannot agree on child support, you’ll have no choice but to petition the court for child support. The judge will review both parents’ financial information and enter it into their child support worksheet, 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.
The judge will then factor in any special circumstances and adjust the guideline amount if necessary. They’ll issue a court order stating when and how the NCP must pay child support to the other parent.
Indiana Follows the “Income Shares Model” for Determining Child Support
Like many states, Indiana uses the "Income Shares Model” 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.
An Indiana child support calculator 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’ll 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.
Factors That Impact Your Child Support Obligation in Indiana
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.
Under the Indiana child support rules, some of the factors that can impact your child support include:
- Number of children
- Number of overnights with the kids
- Parent’s weekly gross income
- Educational expenses
- Whether either parent receives Social Security benefits
- Whether the parent with primary custody receives food stamps and other assistance
- Parenting time
- Which parent pays for daycare
- Special expenses (i.e., medical, childcare, etc.)
Remember, the child support guidelines are just a blueprint for how much a parent pays in child support. While federal law states that family law judges should abide by the guidelines, it also allows for judicial discretion. Your family law attorney can argue that you deserve more than the guidelines amount. The NCP can also submit evidence showing they cannot afford to pay the guidelines amount.
The court’s primary concern is the child’s best interests. If they believe your child needs additional support, they may order the NCP to pay a higher amount of child support.
Indiana Child Support Calculations at a Glance
The detailed information in the state child support guidelines can often give readers more questions than answers. To help parents understand these matters, the chart below provides a concise explanation of Indiana's child support calculations.
Statutes |
Indiana Code |
|---|---|
Income Calculations |
The courts determine the parents' income using their salaries as the main source of income. However, courts often order a parent to also pay a percentage of their overtime pay, commission, and bonuses. Income does not include payments the parents receive from public assistance programs (for example, SSI income). For self-employed parents, the courts calculate income by subtracting necessary expenses from gross receipts. |
Imputing Income |
If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the courts will impute an income to them. For example, the courts will impute income to a parent who purposefully works part-time to avoid paying more child support. They may not impute income to someone whose employer laid them off or reduced their hours. |
Deductions |
Once the courts establish a party’s gross income, the parent can deduct specific expenses. Indiana law recognizes the following deductible expenses:
Child Care and Health Care Obligations Indiana's Child Support Guidelines include work-related childcare costs and health insurance premiums in a parent's child support obligation. The parent who pays for childcare and/or health care can deduct the costs from their share of the child support amount. |
Disclaimer: State laws are subject to change through new legislation, higher court rulings, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information, consult a family law attorney or conduct legal research to verify your state laws.
Indiana Child Support Calculations: Related Resources
Need Help With Indiana Child Support Calculations? See an Attorney
If you're a parent trying to understand Indiana's child support calculations, contact an experienced child support attorney for legal advice. Meeting with an Indiana child support attorney can give you clarity on how to handle your child's support needs.
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