How child support is calculated in Kansas

The formula, the official tool, and the rules for low incomes and health insurance.

Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.

Short answer

Kansas uses the income-shares model: both parents' incomes count, and each parent pays a share of the child's support. Kansas uses the Kansas Child Support Guidelines set by the Kansas Supreme Court. Each parent's gross income goes on a Child Support Worksheet, and the guideline schedules set support by combined income, the number of children and the children's ages.

Model
Income shares
Official calculator
Official Kansas child support guidelines

Get the number from Kansas's official tool

Kansas uses the Kansas Child Support Guidelines set by the Kansas Supreme Court. Each parent's gross income goes on a Child Support Worksheet, and the guideline schedules set support by combined income, the number of children and the children's ages. Adjustments can apply for shared or divided residency, multiple families and other factors. A judge sets the final monthly amount.

Law: Kansas Child Support Guidelines (Kansas Supreme Court, effective May 1, 2025); K.S.A. 23-3002

We don't estimate Kansas's amount here: its formula uses both parents' incomes and other facts, and a home-made number could mislead you. The official tool gives the real starting number:

Official Kansas child support guidelines

The Kansas guideline, step by step

Kansas uses the Kansas Child Support Guidelines set by the Kansas Supreme Court. Each parent's gross income goes on a Child Support Worksheet, and the guideline schedules set support by combined income, the number of children and the children's ages. Adjustments can apply for shared or divided residency, multiple families and other factors. A judge sets the final monthly amount.

Law: Kansas Child Support Guidelines (Kansas Supreme Court, effective May 1, 2025); K.S.A. 23-3002

Low incomes in Kansas

The court must consider the paying parent's basic subsistence needs: it subtracts the federal poverty level for a household of one from that parent's child support income. If what is left is less than the guideline amount, the court sets support in the child's best interest.

Source: DCF CSS Policy Manual

State guidelines may not treat time in jail or prison as choosing not to work, when support is set or changed.

Law: 45 CFR 302.56(c)(3)

What the model means

The income-shares model looks up an amount for the parents' combined income, then splits it by each parent's share of that income. Parenting time and costs can change it.

Every state must have one set of child support guidelines, review them at least every 4 years, and use the guideline amount unless a written finding says it would be unjust.

Law: 45 CFR 302.56

The child's health costs in Kansas

CSS establishes orders for both financial and medical support, and can use a Medical Withholding Order to enroll the child in the ordered health plan.

In nearby states

Steps to a support amount in Kansas

  1. Collect proof of income

    Pay stubs, tax returns and benefit letters for both parents, if you have them.

  2. Run the official numbers

    Get the guideline amount from Official Kansas child support guidelines.

  3. Count health and child care

    Health insurance, child care and other costs can be added or shared as the state's rules say.

  4. Open a case

    To get an order, contact Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Support Services (CSS) (1-888-757-2445) · Apply online

  5. Talk to legal aid

    Legal aid can help for free: Kansas Legal Services.

Free legal help in Kansas

Questions about the Kansas guidelines

How does Kansas figure child support?

Kansas uses the Kansas Child Support Guidelines set by the Kansas Supreme Court. Each parent's gross income goes on a Child Support Worksheet, and the guideline schedules set support by combined income, the number of children and the children's ages. Adjustments can apply for shared or divided residency, multiple families and other factors. A judge sets the final monthly amount.

What if the paying parent has a low income in Kansas?

The court must consider the paying parent's basic subsistence needs: it subtracts the federal poverty level for a household of one from that parent's child support income. If what is left is less than the guideline amount, the court sets support in the child's best interest.

Is health insurance part of child support in Kansas?

CSS establishes orders for both financial and medical support, and can use a Medical Withholding Order to enroll the child in the ordered health plan.

Related Kansas pages

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 25, 2026.

Federal sources