How is child support calculated in Indiana?

Indiana child support is governed by the Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines, adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court and authorized by IC § 31-16-15.

1. Income Shares Calculation

Determine each parent's weekly gross income (Guideline 3(A)) — wages, self-employment, dividends, pensions, Social Security, unemployment, workers' comp, gifts, etc.

Combine weekly gross incomes.

Subtract allowable adjustments (subsequent children, prior court-ordered support).

Find the Basic Child Support Obligation on the Schedule in Guideline 3.

Add work-related childcare and health insurance (the cost of insuring the child).

Pro rate by each parent's income share.

Apply the Parenting Time Credit for overnight credits to the noncustodial parent.

2. Parenting Time Credit (Guideline 6)

A unique Indiana feature: the noncustodial parent receives a credit for the number of overnights with the child, computed on Worksheet PTC. The credit reflects duplicated household costs and direct expenses incurred during parenting time. There is no specific overnight threshold — the credit applies on a sliding scale from any overnights upward.

3. Combined Income Range

The Schedule covers combined weekly adjusted incomes from $100 to $10,000/week (~$520,000/year). Above the cap, the court has discretion based on the standard of living the child would have enjoyed.

4. Duration (IC § 31-16-6-6)

Support continues until the child:

Reaches age 19 (Indiana's standard age of emancipation), OR

Is emancipated earlier by marriage, military service, or self-support and not under parental control.

Adult disabled children receive support indefinitely if incapacitation occurred before 19.

5. Educational Expenses (IC § 31-16-6-2)

Separate from base support, courts may order post-secondary educational expenses for children up to age 21 — covering tuition, books, fees, room and board. Petition must generally be filed before the child turns 19.

6. Modification (IC § 31-16-8-1)

Modification permitted when:

A substantial and continuing change in circumstances exists, OR

At least 12 months have passed since the order was entered or last modified AND a guideline recalculation would result in a change of 20% or more.

7. Imputation of Income

Voluntary unemployment/underemployment allows imputed income based on the parent's earning capacity, work history, qualifications, and prevailing local wages.

8. Self-Support Reserve

Indiana incorporates a low-income adjustment to ensure obligors retain at least the federal poverty level.

This is legal information, not legal advice.