May 9, 2025

Navigating Indiana child support laws can feel overwhelming for parents who are working through custody arrangements, divorce, paternity, or other major family changes.

Whether you’re wondering how child support works, how child support payments are calculated, or even if you and your co-parent can agree to waive support entirely, it’s important to understand how Indiana child support guidelines work — and what your options are.

How Child Support Works in Indiana

In Indiana, child support is intended to ensure that both parents share the financial responsibility of raising their child, even after a separation or divorce. The underlying principle is that children should not suffer a financial disadvantage simply because their parents are no longer together.

Both parents are expected to contribute in proportion to their income and ability to pay, helping cover everything from basic living expenses to medical care and educational costs.

To calculate the appropriate amount of support, courts rely on the Indiana Child Support Guidelines, a set of rules designed to promote fairness and consistency in support orders across the state. These guidelines take into account a variety of factors to determine a fair and reasonable support amount, including:

• Both parents’ income. One of the most important factors in determining child support is each parent’s gross income, which may include wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, rental income, and other sources of earnings. The combined income of both parents helps determine the basic child support obligation, which is then divided proportionally based on each parent’s share of the total income.
• The number of children. The guidelines account for the number of children being supported, as the financial needs of one child are different from the needs of multiple children. Additional children generally increase the total child support obligation, though economies of scale may apply.
• Health insurance and childcare costs. Courts consider which parent is providing health insurance for the child and how much that coverage costs. Reasonable childcare expenses, especially for younger children who need care while parents work, are also factored into the calculation.
• Parenting time (custody arrangements). Indiana’s guidelines also adjust child support amounts based on how much time the child spends with each parent. If the non-custodial parent has significant parenting time (formerly referred to as visitation), the child support obligation may be reduced to reflect the costs incurred during that time.
• Additional expenses related to the child’s needs. In some cases, special or extraordinary expenses may also be factored into the child support calculation. This could include educational costs, expenses related to the child’s special medical needs, or other necessary expenditures that go beyond standard care.

All of these factors will be entered into the Indiana Child Support Obligation Worksheet, which will then be filed with the court as part of your child support agreement. It’s a requirement for any child support proceeding, whether you’re establishing or modifying your child support.

What is the Goal of Indiana’s Child Support Guidelines?

The goal of these guidelines is to ensure that children maintain, as closely as possible, the same standard of living they would have enjoyed if their parents were still together. Child support is intended to cover basic necessities — like food, clothing, and shelter — as well as other essential expenses, such as childcare, healthcare, and school registration.

Because every family’s financial situation is different, the court has discretion to deviate from the guidelines if there are exceptional circumstances that would make a standard calculation unfair or inappropriate.

Whether you’re the parent obligated to pay support or the parent receiving it, understanding how Indiana child support works can help you prepare for what to expect and ensure that your child’s needs remain the top priority.

Can Parents Decide Not to Want Child Support in Indiana?

This is a common question: Can parents agree to forego child support in Indiana? While parents can agree to many aspects of their co-parenting arrangement, they cannot completely waive child support if the court believes support is necessary to protect the child’s best interests.

The right to child support belongs to the child, not the parents. Even if both parents agree to waive support, Indiana courts have the final say and will order support unless a good reason exists to deviate from the recommended child support amount.

When Does Child Support End in Indiana?

Generally, child support obligations end when the child turns 19 years of age. However, Indiana law provides for a few exceptions:

• Support may continue if a child is incapacitated, either physically or mentally
• Support may continue until a child graduates if the child is still in high school after turning age 19 and as long as certain conditions have been met
• Support could end earlier if the child is emancipated, such as by joining the military or getting married
• Educational support may also be ordered if the child is attending college or trade school, but this is handled separately from regular child support (educational support is a detailed area of law, and there are some important deadlines that apply; consult an attorney well in advance of your child turning 19 years of age or you may miss an important deadline).

Understanding these rules is important for both the paying and receiving parent, so there are no surprises as your child approaches adulthood. If your family fits one of these situations, it’s important to start the legal process early if you need child support to continue.

Modifying Child Support in Indiana

Life changes — and so can child support orders. If you experience a significant change in income, lose your job, or there’s a shift in custody or parenting time, you may need to request a modification. Indiana law allows parents to file a petition for change if:

• There has been a substantial and continuing change in circumstances rendering the current order unreasonable
• The current order has been in place for at least 12 months and the recalculated amount would differ by at least 20%

To request a change, you will need to file Indiana child support modification forms with the court and provide documentation to support your request. An experienced family law attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure your paperwork is completed correctly.

Get Expert Guidance on Child Support in Indiana

Whether you’re negotiating your first child support order, wondering if you can adjust an existing one, or simply want to understand your rights and responsibilities under Indiana child support guidelines, having the right legal support can make a difference.

At Bennett, Boehning & Clary, we understand how important it is to make sure your child is provided for — and how critical it is to have clear, enforceable agreements in place. If you have questions about Indiana child support or need help filing for a modification, contact us to set up a consultation with one of our family law experts.

Disclaimer: The content of this blog is intended to be general and informational in nature. It is advertising material and is not intended to be, nor is it, legal advice to or for any particular person, case, or circumstance. Each situation is different, and you should consult an attorney if you have any questions about your situation.