Navigating child support calculations can seem daunting, but Indiana’s process follows clear, published rules. Below is the official, step-by-step methodology from the Indiana Supreme Court’s Child Support Rules and Guidelines, with real-world scenarios to illustrate. If you’d rather skip the math, our free calculator automates every step for you.
1. Apply the Income Shares Model
Indiana uses an Income Shares Model, which ensures children receive the same proportion of parental income they would have if both parents lived together in.gov.
2. Step-by-Step Official Process
A. Calculate Gross Weekly Income
Include all earnings and benefits:
Wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions
Self-employment net income
Rental, interest, dividend income
Social Security and unemployment benefits
(Public assistance and certain survivor benefits are excluded.)
B. Subtract Mandatory Deductions
From each parent’s gross weekly income, subtract:
Court-ordered support for other children
Court-ordered spousal maintenance (alimony)
One-half of self-employment taxes in.gov
This yields each parent’s Adjusted Gross Weekly Income (AGWI).
C. Combine Adjusted Incomes
Add both AGWIs to get Combined Weekly Adjusted Income (CWAI).
D. Lookup Basic Support Obligation
Using the CWAI and number of children, find the Basic Child Support Obligation in the official Guideline Schedules for Weekly Support Payments in.gov.
Example: For CWAI of $2,000 with two children, the table might show $400/week.
High-Income Rule:
If CWAI exceeds the top row (currently $9,200/week), Indiana provides set percentages (e.g. 11.4% for two children) instead of a table lookup.
E. Add Allowable Child-Related Expenses
Add weekly totals for:
Work-related childcare
Child’s portion of health insurance premiums
Extraordinary expenses (e.g., uninsured medical costs, private school)
The sum is the Presumptive Total Child Support Obligation.
F. Enforce the 50% Self-Support Reserve
To ensure parents retain enough income, Indiana caps support at 50% of CWAI.
G. Divide Between Parents
Each parent’s share of CWAI determines their obligation:
H. Apply Parenting Time Credit
When the non-custodial parent exercises significant parenting time (52+ overnight stays), they receive a credit, calculated via the Parenting Time Worksheet to reduce their final payment in.gov.
3. Example Scenario
Facts: Two children, Parent A earns $1,200/week, Parent B earns $800/week, no deductions, $100/week childcare, Parent B has 60 overnights.
AGWIₐ = $1,200; AGWI_b = $800
CWAI = $2,000
Basic Obligation (table) = $400
Add expenses: $400 + $100 = $500
Cap check: 50%×$2,000 = $1,000 → no cap
Shares: A = 60%, B = 40% → A owes $300; B owes $200
Parenting Time Credit (e.g., 10%): $200 – $20 = $180
4. Want an Instant Estimate?
Our free Indiana Child Support Calculator follows these official steps—so you don’t have to. Get your personalized weekly support estimate and downloadable breakdown in seconds.
All figures and percentages are drawn from the Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines as published by the Indiana Supreme Court. For full schedules and policy details, visit the official PDF in.gov or the Indiana DCS Child Support page in.gov.
What is the average child support payment for one child in Indiana?
There’s no single “average” because support is based on parents’ combined income. However, under Indiana’s guidelines, the basic weekly support for one child typically ranges from 17.5% of combined weekly income (for high-income cases) to the amount shown in the schedule (for lower incomes). For example, a combined weekly income of $1,000 yields about $175/week in basic support before expenses.
How do they figure out child support in Indiana?
Indiana follows the Income Shares Model:
Calculate each parent’s Adjusted Gross Weekly Income (after deductions)
Combine to get CWAI
Lookup the Basic Support Obligation in the official schedule
Add childcare, health-insurance, and extraordinary expenses
Apply the 50% self-support cap
Divide the total by each parent’s income share
Apply any Parenting Time Credit .
- You can use OUR FREE TOOL
What is the 6% rule in Indiana?
The “6% rule” refers to the threshold for extraordinary medical expenses: costs exceeding 6% of the basic child support obligation may be added back as an allowable expense, with the excess split according to each parent’s income share.
How much is child support if you make $100,000 a year?
For high-income cases (CWAI over $9,200/week), Indiana applies a percentage: 17.5% for one child.
$100,000/year ≈ $1,923/week; 17.5% × $1,923 ≈ $337/week in basic support, before expenses.
What is the maximum child support you pay?
Support is capped at 50% of Combined Weekly Adjusted Income (CWAI) to ensure the paying parent retains basic living needs. For example, if CWAI is $2,000/week, total support cannot exceed $1,000/week.
What’s the highest child support ever paid?
There is no public registry of the single highest payment in Indiana. Payments vary widely based on income, number of children, and expenses. High-earning parents with multiple children and significant expenses can have orders well over $1,000/week.
How much do most dads pay in child support?
“Most dads” pay according to their share of combined income. Under the Income Shares Model, if a father earns 60% of the CWAI, he pays 60% of the total support. Actual dollar amounts depend on each family’s incomes and costs. Calculate Quick with our free tool.
What is the maximum that can be taken from a paycheck for child support?
Under federal and Indiana law, up to 50% of disposable income can be garnished for child support (up to 60% if the obligor supports another family member).
Does child support increase with age?
No. Indiana’s support tables and percentages are based on income and number of children, not the child’s age. Support may change only if incomes or expenses change, or if the number of children in the order changes.