Indiana Child Support Calculator & Guide (2025)

Overview of Indiana Child Support

Indiana uses the Income Shares Model under the Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines (Indiana Trial Rule). A distinctive feature of Indiana's approach is that it uses weekly gross income rather than monthly income for all calculations.

Both parents' weekly gross incomes are combined to determine the total support obligation from the state schedule. Indiana also provides weekly overnight credits for parenting time and may order post-secondary education expenses as part of the support obligation.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Indiana

The Indiana child support formula follows these steps:

1. Determine each parent's weekly gross income: Include wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and other sources
2. Combine both parents' weekly incomes to find the total weekly household income
3. Look up the basic weekly obligation on the Indiana schedule based on combined weekly income and number of children
4. Add health insurance costs for the child and work-related childcare expenses
5. Allocate the total obligation between parents based on their proportional income shares
6. Apply weekly overnight credit for parenting time adjustments

Key Factors in Indiana Calculations

Weekly Income Calculations

Indiana is unique in using weekly income calculations rather than monthly. All income figures, support obligations, and payments are expressed in weekly terms. This provides a more granular calculation and aligns with weekly pay periods common among many employers.

Weekly Overnight Credit

Indiana provides a weekly overnight credit for parenting time adjustments. When the non-custodial parent has the child for overnight stays, they receive a credit that reduces their support obligation. The credit is calculated based on the number of overnights and accounts for the direct costs incurred during those stays.

Post-Secondary Education Expenses

Indiana courts may order post-secondary education expenses as part of child support. This can include tuition, room and board, books, fees, and other costs associated with college or vocational education. This obligation may extend beyond the child's 18th birthday.

Imputed Income

Indiana courts may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. The court assigns an income level based on the parent's earning capacity, work history, education, and job qualifications to prevent intentional income reduction.

Minimum and Maximum Amounts

Minimum: Indiana does not have a fixed statutory minimum. The self-support reserve of $977/month protects low-income obligors, and the court may order a nominal amount.

Maximum: The Indiana schedule extends to $10,000 in combined monthly income equivalent. For incomes above this level, the court has discretion to determine an appropriate amount.

Modification and Enforcement

Modification

Indiana allows modification when:

• There has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances
• A significant increase or decrease in either parent's income
• A change in custody or parenting time (overnights)
• A change in the child's needs
• The child reaches the age of emancipation

Enforcement

The Indiana Child Support Bureau enforces orders through:

• Income withholding from paychecks
• Tax refund interception (federal and state)
• Driver's license suspension
• Professional license suspension
• Credit bureau reporting
• Contempt of court proceedings
• Liens on property and financial accounts
• Passport denial for arrears over $2,500

Get your Indiana estimate: Use our free child support calculator to see what you might owe or receive under Indiana guidelines, or try the Indiana-specific calculator.