Notice Regarding Establishment and Modification of Child Support, Required Forms, and Using these Calculators
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Updated versions (Version 2.0) of the online calculators and the downloadable calculator are available on this website as of January 30, 2007. Changes to the calculators were based on user feedback and technical considerations.
Establishment or Modification of Child Support
Please note, child support is not officially established or modified until an order has been issued by the court. In addition, child support will not be modified unless:
- the court finds the current order is unreasonable due to a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, or
- more than a year has passed and, if modified, child support would be 20% more or less than the support that is currently ordered.
See Ind. Code 31-16-8-1 (modification for dissolution of marriage) and Ind. Code 31-14-11-8 (modification for paternity cases).
In addition to filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or a Petition to Modify Child Support, you must file the following forms with the court when your case is heard. (The following forms can be generated by these calculators.)
- Child Support Obligation Worksheet (CSOW);
- Parenting Time Credit Worksheet (PTCW);
and for children receiving post-secondary education,
- Post-Secondary Education Worksheet (PSEW).
The Indiana Child Support Guidelines always apply to a case in which child support is established or modified. However, these calculators will not calculate deviations from the Guidelines. If you have a special circumstance that calls for deviation, you must still submit the above forms to the court. You may explain your special circumstance to the judge, and the judge may then revise these forms accordingly prior to approving them.
Online Calculators System Requirements
Before using the online calculators, please ensure that your technology is up to date according to the following requirements:
- Web Browser. The online calculators are best used with Internet Explorer version 5.0 or newer. Some of the functionality of the calculators are not supported by Netscape Navigator. See our Technical Help section for more information about recommended browsers for viewing the Indiana Judicial System website.
- Viewing and Printing Forms. In order to view and print the forms generated by the Online Calculator options on this website, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.0 or newer installed on your computer. This Reader is available for FREE download from the Adobe website.
- Saving Your Work. In order to save your work in the Online Calculator options on this website, you must have cookies enabled in your web browser. The Indiana Judicial System does not save or store any of the information that you enter. For accessIndiana's privacy policy, visit www.in.gov/ai/policies.
Downloadable Calculator System Requirements
Before using the downloadable calculator, please ensure that you technology is up to date according to the following requirements:
- Microsoft Excel. You must have Microsoft Excel version 2000 or newer installed on your computer to use the downloadable calculator. This calculator is not compatible with Corel Quattro Pro or any other spreadsheet program except for Microsoft Excel.
- Downloadable Calculator User Guide. It is highly recommended that you read the User Guide provided on the Excel calculator download page before using this calculator.
If you have questions or problems of a technical nature while using this website, please contact the webmaster. If you have questions of a legal nature, please note that court staff cannot give you legal advice. Read our Self-Representation Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
This website and its contents have been designed to provide valuable information and tools to those persons seeking to determine a child support obligation. These tools may be used by persons wishing to represent themselves in court, but it should be noted that self-representation should not be taken lightly, and that there are many instances in which retaining an attorney is highly advisable. In fact, we suggest that even if you use the forms provided on this site that you still consult with an attorney prior to submitting them to a court. Visit the Indiana Supreme Court Self-Service Legal Center website for more information about representing yourself in court.
Before you select the calculation tool that is right for you, it should be noted that the use of these calculators should in no way serve as a subsitute for a thorough reading of the Indiana Child Support Guidelines.
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