Child Support Legal Services In Owensboro, Kentucky
Last updated on August 19, 2026
Child support is intended to divide the financial burden of raising a child between two parents. For instance, if one parent has primary custody, they may naturally incur more costs for things like housing, transportation, food, medical bills, educational costs and much more. A child support order can be used so that the child’s other parent has to provide financial assistance every month to help cover some of these costs.
Here at Foreman Watson Holtrey, LLP, our experienced team of attorneys has been providing child support legal services in Owensboro, Kentucky, since 1994. With more than three decades of experience, we understand the steps you’ll need to take, and our lawyers offer dedicated legal guidance at such a critical time. We also offer accessible initial consultations for family law cases, so call today to set up your first meeting with our firm.
How Is Child Support Calculated In Kentucky?
Appropriate child support payments are very important to ensure the well-being of children moving forward. Kentucky uses a formula to determine child support by looking at the adjusted monthly income of each parent, considering the number of children who need support and looking at the number of overnight stays in each parent’s home. The minimum amount of support that could be due is $60 per month, but it can be much higher depending on the child’s expenses and financial needs.
Several factors go into this calculation. Kentucky courts will assess:
- Both parents’ adjusted gross monthly income, including wages, salaries, bonuses, benefits and other income sources
- The number of children who need support
- How many nights each child spends at each parent’s home
- The cost of health insurance for the child
- Large medical or dental bills over $250 per year per child that insurance does not cover
- Childcare costs, such as daycare, that allow a parent to work
- Existing financial obligations such as alimony or child support owed for children from a prior relationship
- A parent’s earning potential if the court finds that parent is choosing not to work or is working less than they are able to
These factors can add up quickly, and even small changes in your situation can affect the final number. If you are unsure how the guidelines apply to you, talking with one of our child support attorneys is a good place to start.
How Is Child Support Enforced In Kentucky?
A child support order is a court order, and failing to follow it has real consequences. When a parent stops making payments, Kentucky has several tools to step in and make sure children get the support they need. The state’s child support enforcement program can collect both current and overdue payments on behalf of the parent who has custody.
Some of the most common enforcement methods include:
- Withholding wages directly from the paying parent’s paycheck through their employer
- Taking state or federal tax refunds to cover missed payments
- Suspending the nonpaying parent’s driver’s license, professional license or recreational licenses
- Denying or revoking a U.S. passport if a significant amount of support is past due
- Reporting the debt to credit bureaus, which can hurt the nonpaying parent’s credit
- Placing liens on property owned by the nonpaying parent
- Taking the matter back to court, which could result in fines or jail time
Whether you are trying to collect support for your family or you are facing enforcement action yourself, our family law attorneys can walk you through your options.
When Would You Need To Modify A Child Support Order?
As long as the child support order is on file, parents need to attempt to make full payments every month. However, there are cases where modifications may be necessary.
For example, if one parent loses their job or experiences a significant reduction in income, then they may want to reduce their monthly obligation. On the other side of the equation, child support can sometimes be increased such as if the child has a specific need that they did not have at the time of the initial order. Furthermore, if there is a change in custody rights, that may also necessitate a change in child support payments because it shifts the number of overnight stays and the financial costs that will be incurred.
When Does Child Support End In Kentucky?
Understanding when child support ends can help both parents plan ahead. In most cases, child support in Kentucky stops when a child reaches the age of 18 or becomes emancipated. The main exception is if the child is still in high school at the age of 18. In that case, support continues until the end of the school year in which they turn 19.
Take note that if you pay support for more than one child, your payments will not automatically go down when the oldest child reaches the cutoff age. You would need to go back to court and request a modification to lower the amount.
Parents can also agree to keep support going past the standard end date. For example, they might want to help with college costs. It is important that they submit a formal agreement to the court to make it official and avoid disputes later.
Call Today For A Consultation
The best way to understand your legal options and obligations is to sit down with an experienced attorney. To set up a consultation, just dial 270-689-2412 or use the online contact form.