Wondering what you might pay—or receive—for child support in Indiana when there’s just one child? The answer depends on your combined income, expenses, and parenting time. Below, we detail the official Indiana process, break down common scenarios, and link to every authoritative source you need.
Indiana’s Income Shares Model
Indiana uses the Income Shares Model, ensuring children receive the same proportion of parental income they would have if both parents lived together. Key points include:
- Both parents’ incomes are combined.
- A standard schedule defines the base support obligation by income level and number of children.
- Additional costs and credits adjust the final amount.
For more details, refer to the Indiana Child Support Guidelines and Rules.
The Official Calculation Steps
A. Compute Each Parent’s Adjusted Gross Weekly Income (AGWI)
Include:
- Wages
- Self-employment income
- Bonuses
- Rental income
- Investment income
- Social Security benefits
- Unemployment benefits
Deduct:
- Court-ordered support for other children
- Court-ordered spousal maintenance
- One-half of self-employment taxes
The formula for AGWI is:
AGWI = Gross Weekly Income - DeductionsB. Combine for Combined Weekly Adjusted Income (CWAI)
CWAI = AGWI of Parent A + AGWI of Parent BC. Look Up Basic Support Obligation
Use the CWAI and the “one child” column in the Guideline Schedules for Weekly Support Payments.
Sample Table (Basic Weekly Support):
| Combined Weekly Income | Basic Support (One Child) |
|---|---|
| $500 | $87 |
| $1,000 | ~$169 |
| $2,000 | ~$333 |
| $5,000 | ~$875 |
| $10,000 | ~$1,750 |
Note: Approximate values based on interpolation and high-income percentage for CWAI over $9,200.
D. Add Child-Related Expenses
Include weekly:
- Work-related childcare
- Child’s share of health-insurance premiums
- Extraordinary expenses (e.g., uninsured medical)
Presumptive Total = Basic Obligation + All ExpensesE. Enforce the 50% Self-Support Cap
Cap = Minimum of (Presumptive Total, CWAI × 0.50)F. Allocate by Income Share
Calculate each parent’s share of the total income:
Share of Parent A = AGWI of Parent A / CWAIShare of Parent B = AGWI of Parent B / CWAI
Then, calculate the initial support amounts:
Initial Amount for Parent A = Share of Parent A × Cap
Initial Amount for Parent B = Share of Parent B × CapG. Apply Parenting Time Credit (PTC)
If the non-custodial parent has significant overnight time, a credit reduces their obligation per the Parenting Time Credit Worksheet.
Real-Life Scenarios
Scenario A: Modest Income
- Parent A AGWI: $500/week
- Parent B AGWI: $500/week
- CWAI: $1,000 → Basic Support ≈ $169/week
- Expenses: $0; Cap: 50% of $1,000 = $500 → No cap
- Shares: 50% each → Each owes $84.50/week
Scenario B: Mid-Range Income
- Parent A: $1,200; Parent B: $800 → CWAI $2,000
- Basic: 17.5% of $2,000 = $350/week
- Expenses: $50 childcare → Total $400; Cap: $1,000 → No cap
- Shares: Parent A = 60% ($240); Parent B = 40% ($160)
Scenario C: High Income
- Parent A: $6,000; Parent B: $4,000 → CWAI $10,000
- Basic: 17.5% of $10,000 = $1,750/week
- Expenses: $200 insurance → $1,950; Cap: 50% of $10,000 = $5,000 → No cap
- Shares: Parent A = 60% ($1,170); Parent B = 40% ($780)
Want a Quick Estimate?
Our free Indiana Child Support Calculator applies these official steps automatically—so you can skip the manual math and get a downloadable summary in seconds. Try it now!
All amounts and percentages are sourced from the Indiana Supreme Court’s Child Support Rules and Guidelines and the official schedule PDF.
How do they calculate child support in Indiana?
Indiana follows an Income Shares Model under the Child Support Rules and Guidelines:
Determine each parent’s Adjusted Gross Weekly Income (after deducting support for other children, spousal maintenance, and half of self-employment taxes).
Combine those to get the Combined Weekly Adjusted Income (CWAI).
Look up the Basic Support Obligation for one child in the official guideline schedule.
Add allowable expenses (childcare, insurance, extraordinary medical).
Enforce the 50% self-support cap (CWAI × 50%).
Divide the total by each parent’s income share.
Apply a Parenting Time Credit if overnight custody exceeds 52 nights.
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What is the average child support payment for one child in Indiana?
While there’s no fixed “average,” the guideline schedule shows basic weekly support for one child ranges roughly from $87/week at $500 CWAI to $175/week at $1,000 CWAI, scaling upward. High-income cases (CWAI above $9,200/week) use 17.5% of CWAI for one child.
How does Indiana decide child support?
The court applies the Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines, authored by the Supreme Court:
Uses published schedules for basic support
Allows specific deductions and added expenses
Caps support at half of combined income
Credits parenting time overnights.
- You can calculate for free using the Indiana Child support Calculator TOOL
What is the new child support law in Indiana?
Effective January 1, 2024, Indiana adopted updated Guidelines that:
Revise obligation worksheets and tables
Adjust parenting time credit calculations
Clarify treatment of healthcare and extraordinary costs.
Do you have to pay child support if you have 50/50 custody in Indiana?
Yes, shared physical custody does not eliminate support. If one parent earns significantly more, the lower-earner typically receives support to equalize child-rearing costs.
At what age can a child refuse to see a parent in Indiana?
While children of any age can express preferences, Indiana courts begin to seriously consider a child’s custody preference at age 14, under the best-interests standard.
Does child support stop if parents live together?
No, it continues until you file for termination. However, courts may enter a $0.00 order by completing a worksheet showing both parents share expenses while living together.
Is Indiana a mother state for custody?
No. Indiana uses a gender-neutral best-interests standard, courts weigh factors such as stability, parental fitness, and the child’s needs, not the parent’s gender.