Kentucky Child Support Guidelines

Much like divorce and separation, figuring out child support can be difficult and frustrating. While joint custody is considered the best option for the child and is the most common solution, even if there is equal timesharing as well often one parent will still have to pay some child support. Family courts determine how much money must be paid in child support based on state-specific child support guidelines, taking into account a number of factors.

Making a mistake with child support can have serious repercussions. Continue reading to gain a better understanding of child support guidelines in Kentucky.

Child Support Statutes in Kentucky

The following chart highlights the main aspects of Kentucky's child support guidelines.

How Gross Income Is Calculated When a Parent Is Unemployed/Underemployed

If a parent is employed to full capacity, their actual gross income is used for the calculations listed in the table above. However, if a parent is unemployed or underemployed, then the parent's "potential income" is used. Potential income is based on the parent's employment potential, probable earnings (based on the parent's recent work history), occupational qualifications, and job opportunities in the community.

It should also be noted that potential income isn't used for unemployed or underemployed parents in three situations:

• If the parent is physically incapacitated
• If the parent is mentally incapacitated
• If the parent is caring for a child that is three years old or younger that the parents owe a joint legal responsibility to

Split Custody

Kentucky defines a split custody arrangement to be a situation where each parent is the residential custodian for one or more children whom the parents share a joint legal responsibility for. The following steps are used to determine the child support obligation when the parents have a split custody arrangement:

• Prepare two separate child support obligation worksheets (one for each household, using the number of children born out of the relationship in each household)
• The non-custodial parent with the greater monthly obligation pays the difference between the obligation amounts (from the two worksheets) to the other parent

Kentucky Way2Go Card

The Kentucky Way2Go Card offers a way to have access to child support payments without the need for a bank account. Deposits are funneled to a debit card, which can be used for purchases. More information is available at the Kentucky Child Support Website.

Additional Resources

• Child Support Enforcement Information – Kentucky
• Child Support Estimation Calculator – Kentucky
• Guide to Getting Child Support
• What Does Child Support Cover?
• Enforcement and Collection of Back Child Support

Still Have Questions About Kentucky Child Support Guidelines? Talk to an Attorney

Calculating child support in Kentucky can be difficult and all cases are different. You may want to contact a local family law attorney well-versed in how the system works. They can help you attain the best results from an unfortunate situation.