Estimate child support obligations based on Indiana Guidelines
Parent Income Information
$
$
Children & Custody Details
1 Child
2 Children
3 Children
4 Children
5 Children
6 or More Children
Additional Expenses (Weekly)
$
$
Custodial Parent
Non-Custodial Parent
Estimated Weekly Child Support
$0
Non-Custodial Parent Obligation
Monthly Support
$0
Annual Support
$0
Combined Weekly Income
$0
Non-Custodial Share
0%
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on Indiana Child Support Guidelines. Actual child support orders may differ based on specific circumstances, court discretion, and other factors. Consult with an Indiana family law attorney for accurate legal advice.
Understanding Indiana Child Support Calculations
Indiana uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support obligations. This approach considers both parents' incomes and aims to provide children with the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the family remained intact. The Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines (Indiana Child Support Guideline) establish the framework for these calculations.
How Indiana Child Support is Calculated
The calculation process follows these fundamental steps:
Determine Weekly Gross Income: Both parents' gross weekly incomes are calculated, including wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and other sources.
Calculate Combined Adjusted Income: The parents' incomes are added together to determine the combined weekly adjusted gross income.
Apply the Support Schedule: Indiana's Child Support Schedule determines the basic child support obligation based on combined income and number of children.
Calculate Each Parent's Share: Each parent's share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income.
Apply Credits and Adjustments: The non-custodial parent receives credit for parenting time exceeding the standard amount.
Indiana Income Shares Model
Indiana's Income Shares Model recognizes that both parents have a financial responsibility to support their children. The child support obligation is divided between parents based on their relative incomes, ensuring fair distribution of the financial responsibility.
What Counts as Gross Income in Indiana?
Indiana defines gross income broadly to include:
Wages, salaries, and tips
Bonuses and commissions
Overtime pay
Self-employment income
Rental income
Interest and dividends
Social Security benefits
Workers' compensation
Unemployment benefits
Pension and retirement benefits
Alimony received from other relationships
Parenting Time Credit in Indiana
Indiana provides a parenting time credit to the non-custodial parent when they have the children overnight for more than 52 overnights per year. This credit recognizes that the non-custodial parent incurs direct expenses during parenting time.
Overnight Stays per Year
Credit Applied
0-52 overnights
No credit
53-109 overnights
Proportional credit begins
110-182 overnights
Increased credit percentage
183+ overnights
Shared custody calculations apply
Example Calculation
Scenario: Two children, custodial parent earns $800/week, non-custodial parent earns $1,200/week, 52 overnight stays per year.
Basic Support Obligation (2 children at $2,000): Approximately $398/week
Non-Custodial Parent's Base Obligation: $239/week (60% × $398)
With standard parenting time: Approximately $239/week
Additional Factors Affecting Child Support
Health Insurance Costs
The cost of health insurance for the children is added to the basic support obligation. The parent providing coverage receives credit, while the other parent's obligation increases proportionally.
Work-Related Childcare
Childcare expenses necessary for either parent to work or attend education/training are included in the child support calculation. These costs are shared proportionally between parents.
Extraordinary Medical Expenses
Uninsured medical, dental, and vision expenses exceeding $100 per child per year are typically divided between parents based on their income percentages.
Deviation from Guidelines
Indiana courts may deviate from the calculated guidelines amount when circumstances warrant. Common reasons for deviation include:
Extraordinary educational expenses
Special needs of the child
Significant income disparity
Substantial assets of either parent
Children's established standard of living
Tax considerations
Modifying Indiana Child Support Orders
Child support orders can be modified when there is a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Indiana allows modification if:
Either parent's income changes by 20% or more
Parenting time arrangements change significantly
A child's needs change substantially
Health insurance costs change significantly
It has been at least 12 months since the last order
Enforcement of Child Support in Indiana
Indiana has robust enforcement mechanisms for child support, including:
For official information on Indiana child support, visit the Indiana Child Support Bureau or consult the Indiana Rules of Court, specifically the Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines. For legal advice specific to your situation, consult with a licensed Indiana family law attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does child support last in Indiana?
In Indiana, child support typically continues until the child turns 19 years old or graduates from high school, whichever occurs first. However, support may extend longer for children with disabilities or may end earlier if a child becomes emancipated.
Can parents agree to a different amount?
Parents can agree to a different amount, but the agreement must be approved by the court. If the agreed amount differs significantly from the guidelines, parents must provide justification and demonstrate that the children's needs will be adequately met.
What if a parent is unemployed?
Indiana courts may impute income to an unemployed or underemployed parent based on their earning capacity. Factors considered include education, work history, job opportunities in the area, and whether the unemployment is voluntary.
function calculateSupport() {
var custodialIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById('custodialIncome').value) || 0;
var nonCustodialIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById('nonCustodialIncome').value) || 0;
var numberOfChildren = parseInt(document.getElementById('numberOfChildren').value) || 1;
var overnightStays = parseInt(document.getElementById('overnightStays').value) || 0;
var healthInsurance = parseFloat(document.getElementById('healthInsurance').value) || 0;
var childcare = parseFloat(document.getElementById('childcare').value) || 0;
var healthInsurancePayer = document.getElementById('healthInsurancePayer').value;
if (custodialIncome <= 0 && nonCustodialIncome <= 0) {
alert('Please enter at least one parent\'s income.');
return;
}
var combinedIncome = custodialIncome + nonCustodialIncome;
if (combinedIncome <= 0) {
alert('Combined income must be greater than zero.');
return;
}
var ncpPercentage = nonCustodialIncome / combinedIncome;
var baseSupport = 0;
if (combinedIncome <= 200) {
baseSupport = combinedIncome * 0.17 * numberOfChildren;
} else if (combinedIncome = 2) baseSupport *= 1.5;
if (numberOfChildren >= 3) baseSupport *= 1.25;
if (numberOfChildren >= 4) baseSupport *= 1.15;
if (numberOfChildren >= 5) baseSupport *= 1.10;
if (numberOfChildren >= 6) baseSupport *= 1.05;
} else if (combinedIncome = 2) baseSupport *= 1.5;
if (numberOfChildren >= 3) baseSupport *= 1.25;
if (numberOfChildren >= 4) baseSupport *= 1.15;
if (numberOfChildren >= 5) baseSupport *= 1.10;
if (numberOfChildren >= 6) baseSupport *= 1.05;
} else if (combinedIncome = 2) baseSupport *= 1.5;
if (numberOfChildren >= 3) baseSupport *= 1.25;
if (numberOfChildren >= 4) baseSupport *= 1.15;
if (numberOfChildren >= 5) baseSupport *= 1.10;
if (numberOfChildren >= 6) baseSupport *= 1.05;
} else if (combinedIncome = 2) baseSupport *= 1.5;
if (numberOfChildren >= 3) baseSupport *= 1.25;
if (numberOfChildren >= 4) baseSupport *= 1.15;
if (numberOfChildren >= 5) baseSupport *= 1.10;
if (numberOfChildren >= 6) baseSupport *= 1.05;
} else if (combinedIncome = 2) baseSupport *= 1.5;
if (numberOfChildren >= 3) baseSupport *= 1.25;
if (numberOfChildren >= 4) baseSupport *= 1.15;
if (numberOfChildren >= 5) baseSupport *= 1.10;
if (numberOfChildren >= 6) baseSupport *= 1.05;
} else if (combinedIncome = 2) baseSupport *= 1.5;
if (numberOfChildren >= 3) baseSupport *= 1.25;
if (numberOfChildren >= 4) baseSupport *= 1.15;
if (numberOfChildren >= 5) baseSupport *= 1.10;
if (numberOfChildren >= 6) baseSupport *= 1.05;
} else {
baseSupport = 784 + (combinedIncome – 4000) * 0.14;
if (numberOfChildren >= 2) baseSupport *= 1.5;
if (numberOfChildren >= 3) baseSupport *= 1.25;
if (numberOfChildren >= 4) baseSupport *= 1.15;
if (numberOfChildren >= 5) baseSupport *= 1.10;
if (numberOfChildren >= 6) baseSupport *= 1.05;
}
var totalSupport = baseSupport + healthInsurance + childcare;
var ncpObligation = totalSupport * ncpPercentage;
if (healthInsurancePayer === 'noncustodial') {
ncpObligation = ncpObligation – healthInsurance;
}
if (overnightStays > 52) {
var creditPercentage = 0;
if (overnightStays >= 53 && overnightStays = 110 && overnightStays 182) {
creditPercentage = 0.20 + ((overnightStays – 182) / 365 * 0.3);
}
ncpObligation = ncpObligation * (1 – creditPercentage);
}
if (ncpObligation < 0) {
ncpObligation = 0;
}
var weeklySupport = ncpObligation;
var monthlySupport = weeklySupport * 4.33;
var annualSupport = weeklySupport * 52;
document.getElementById('weeklySupport').textContent = '$' + weeklySupport.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('monthlySupport').textContent = '$' + monthlySupport.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('annualSupport').textContent = '$' + annualSupport.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('combinedIncome').textContent = '$' + combinedIncome.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('ncpShare').textContent = (ncpPercentage * 100).toFixed(1) + '%';
document.getElementById('resultsSection').classList.add('show');
document.getElementById('resultsSection').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'start' });
}