Kansas Law Summary: Child Support Laws

Below is a law summary of the Child Support Laws in the state of Kansas. This summary will include a brief outlining of what child support is, the obligations/responsibilities, and the guidelines for termination of child support.Kansas uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support obligations. The basic child support obligation is determined by using child support schedules. These schedules are dependent upon three major factors: the parents’ combined gross income, the number of children in the family, and the ages of the children. The schedules take into consideration income deductions for social security, federal retirement, federal and income taxes, and property taxes on owner-occupied housing.The purpose of Child Support is to accommodate for the needs of the child. The needs of the child are not limited to direct expenses for clothing, food, housing, school, entertainment, transportation, utilities, and other indirect expenses related to the day-to-day care and well-being of the child.If the parties share legal responsibility for more than six children, support should be based upon the established needs of the children and be greater than the amount of child support on the Six Child Families’ Schedule.If the combined child support income eclipses the highest amount shown on the schedules, the court will act on its discretion to determine what amount of child support should be set in addition to the highest amount on the Schedule. A formula is presented at the end of each child support schedule to compute amounts not set out on the schedules.

If costs of Dental, Orthodontic, Health, and Optometric Premiums and/or work-related child care costs are included in the total child support obligation, the parent making the payment is credited.

Parents who share the children’s time equally or nearly equally may be fitted for a parenting time adjustment or use the shared expense formula, but not both. Actual, reasonable, and necessary child care costs paid to permit employment or job search of a parent should be added to the support obligation.

The court shall make provisions for the support and education of the minor children. Regardless of the type of custodial arrangement ordered by the court, it may order the child support and education expenses to be paid by either or both parents for any child younger than 18 years of age.

Child support shall terminate when the child reaches the age of 18 years unless the following applies:

· The parent(s) agree, by written agreement approved by the court, to pay support beyond the time the child reaches the age of 18 years;

· The child reaches 18 years of age before completing his/her high school education, in which case the support shall not terminate automatically, unless otherwise ordered by the court, until June 30 of the school year in which the child became 18 years of age, if the child is still attending high school;

· The child is still a bona fide high school student after June 30 of the school year during which the child became 18 years of age, in which case the court, on motion, may order support to continue through the school year during which the child becomes 19 years of age, so long as the child is a bona fide high school student and the parents jointly participated or knowingly acquiesced in the decision which delayed the child’s completion of high school.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact one of Kansas City, Kansas Child Support Attorneys today or set up a consultation by calling 855-805-0595. If you are still looking for more information on child support payments in Kansas, go visit the Kansas Child Support Chart provided on our website. You can also contact us online or call us at 855-805-0595.