Child support on $55,000 a year in Kentucky (2 children)
Kentucky guidelines effective July 15, 2024. Kentucky overview
If Parent A earns $55,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the children live mostly with Parent B (52 overnights a year with Parent A), Kentucky's guideline amount is $822 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Across the table below it ranges from $263 paid by Parent B (Parent B earns $100,000, equal time) to $1,026 (Parent B has no income, Parent A has no overnights).
This is the guideline amount, not a court order.
Change the numbers
Guideline child support
Kentucky · 2 children · Parent A $55000 per year · Parent B $40000 per year · children live mostly with Parent B
$822 a month
Parent A pays Parent B
- Parent A: 57.9% of combined income
- Parent B: 42.1%
How it adds up
- Combined income
- $7,917 a month
- Basic obligation
- $1,419 a month
- Parent A's share of income
- 57.9%
- Guideline amount
- $822 a month
See the worksheet for this example
Kentucky uses the income shares model under KRS 403.211, 403.212, 403.2122 and 403.213; 921 KAR 1:400. Official calculator: kentuckychildsupport.ky.gov. Child support agency: Office of the Attorney General, Department of Child Support Services.
Estimate under Kentucky's child support guidelines effective July 15, 2024. Verified against the official Kentucky sources on October 7, 2026. Not legal advice. Courts can deviate from the guidelines. How we calculate →
By parenting time and the other parent's income
| Overnights | $0 | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $60,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $1,026 A→B | $899 A→B | $854 A→B | $822 A→B | $767 A→B | $725 A→B | $676 A→B | $644 A→B |
| 52 | $1,026 A→B | $899 A→B | $854 A→B | $822 A→B | $767 A→B | $725 A→B | $676 A→B | $644 A→B |
| 104 | $872 A→B | $715 A→B | $656 A→B | $609 A→B | $548 A→B | $497 A→B | $427 A→B | $372 A→B |
| 128 | $816 A→B | $647 A→B | $583 A→B | $531 A→B | $467 A→B | $414 A→B | $336 A→B | $272 A→B |
| 182 | $513 A→B | $286 A→B | $194 A→B | $112 A→B | $35 A→B | $33 B→A | $154 B→A | $263 B→A |
The Kentucky worksheet for this example
| Line | Official label | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monthly gross income (Parent A)Parent A's monthly gross income | $4,583.33 a month |
| 1 | Monthly gross income (Parent B)Parent B's monthly gross income | $3,333.33 a month |
| 4 | Monthly adjusted gross income (Parent A)Parent A's adjusted income | $4,583.33 a month |
| 4 | Monthly adjusted gross income (Parent B)Parent B's adjusted income | $3,333.33 a month |
| 5 | Combined monthly adjusted parental gross incomeCombined adjusted income | $7,916.67 a month |
| 6 | Percentage of combined monthly adjusted parental gross income (Parent A)Parent A's income share | 57.9% |
| 6 | Percentage of combined monthly adjusted parental gross income (Parent B)Parent B's income share | 42.1% |
| 7 (II) | Total child support obligation: parents combined monthly AGI, SSR not appliedTable amount for both parents | $1,419.00 a month |
| 10 | Total child support obligation with proportionate share of childcare and health insurance costTotal to be shared | $1,419.00 a month |
| 11 | Each parent's monthly child support obligation (Parent A)Parent A's share | $821.60 a month |
| 11 | Each parent's monthly child support obligation (Parent B)Parent B's share | $597.40 a month |
| 12 | Line 11 minus childcare or health insurance paid to the provider (Parent A)Parent A's share after costs paid directly | $821.60 a month |
| 12 | Line 11 minus childcare or health insurance paid to the provider (Parent B)Parent B's share after costs paid directly | $597.40 a month |
| 16 | Amount paidGuideline amount | $821.60 a month |
Open the official CS-71 Worksheet for Monthly Child Support Obligation (and CS-71.1 Exception) →
With child care and health insurance
| Costs | Guideline amount |
|---|---|
| No add-ons | $822 a month A→B |
| Child care $500 a month | $1,111 a month A→B |
| Child care $1,000 a month | $1,401 a month A→B |
| Health insurance $150 a month | $908 a month A→B |
| Health insurance $300 a month | $995 a month A→B |
Work-related child care and the children's health insurance premium are added to the table amount and divided by income share; each parent gets credit for what they pay the provider. Uninsured medical costs above $250 a year for all the children are also divided by income share, on top of the worksheet amount; the parent who carries the children's health insurance covers the first $250.
How Kentucky works it out
Kentucky uses the income shares model: the guidelines table gives the support for both parents at their combined monthly adjusted gross income, and each parent is responsible for their share.
Gross income from almost all sources counts, before taxes, including alimony received and SSI. Means-tested public assistance does not count. Alimony paid and support paid for older children of another relationship are deducted first.
Kentucky counts parenting time in days. When the parent with less time has the children at least 88 days a year, a shared parenting credit of 15% to 50% of the table amount is subtracted from that parent's share. With equal time, the parent with the higher gross income is treated as the paying parent.
Frequently asked questions
How much child support is paid on $55,000 in Kentucky for 2 children?
If Parent A earns $55,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the children live mostly with Parent B (52 overnights a year with Parent A), Kentucky's guideline amount is about $822 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
How much is that a week?
That is about $190 a week (the monthly amount × 12 ÷ 52).
What if the parents share time equally?
With about equal parenting time and the same incomes, the guideline amount is about $112 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
What if Parent B has no income?
If Parent B has no income and the children live mostly with Parent B, the guideline amount is about $1,026 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Official sources and verification
- Law: KRS 403.211, 403.212, 403.2122 and 403.213; 921 KAR 1:400
- Kentucky child support guidelines
- CS-71 Worksheet for Monthly Child Support Obligation (and CS-71.1 Exception)
- Official Kentucky child support calculator
- Office of the Attorney General, Department of Child Support Services
- Changing a Kentucky child support order
Guidelines effective July 15, 2024. Verified against the official Kentucky sources on October 7, 2026. How we calculate →