Can Child Support Be Adjusted for Shared Custody?
Nov. 3, 2025
Child support arrangements are often based on traditional custody setups where one parent primarily provides care for the child. But what happens when custody is shared more equally? Parents may wonder if child support can be adjusted to reflect the time each parent spends with their child.
Adjustments are possible, but they depend on several factors, including income, parenting time, and the child’s needs. Understanding how courts view shared custody and support can help parents make informed decisions that are fair and in the child’s best interest.
Joseph A. DeWoskin, P.C., assists clients in Kansas City, Kansas, and surrounding areas, including Johnson, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte counties, as well as Jackson County, Cass County, Clay County, and Platte County in Missouri. The firm guides parents through questions about modifying child support arrangements when custody changes.
Families can benefit from legal advice tailored to state-specific rules and local court practices. If you’re considering an adjustment to child support due to shared custody, contacting a knowledgeable attorney at Joseph A. DeWoskin, P.C. can clarify your options and protect your child’s financial well-being.
An Intro to Shared Custody
Shared custody can take several forms. Typically, it means both parents spend substantial, though not necessarily equal, time with the child. The arrangement may include:
Physical custody: The child spends significant time living with both parents.
Joint legal custody: Both parents share decision-making responsibilities regarding the child’s education, health, and welfare.
Split custody: Siblings are divided between parents, though this is less common.
The details of the custody schedule can influence child support calculations. Courts generally aim to balance financial responsibility with parenting time so that the child maintains a stable standard of living in both homes.
Factors That Influence Child Support Adjustments
When considering changes to child support arrangements, it’s important to recognize that courts consider multiple factors to determine what is fair for both the child and the parents. Several key factors come into play.
Income of both parents: Courts evaluate each parent’s earnings, benefits, and potential income.
Parenting time: More time spent with a child may reduce a parent’s obligation to pay support, as they bear more direct costs.
Child’s needs: Expenses such as school supplies, medical care, and extracurricular activities are considered.
Current support orders: Existing agreements or court orders set the baseline for any adjustment.
Kansas and Missouri use different methods to calculate child support. Kansas uses a formula based on each parent’s income and the number of children, while Missouri considers both parents’ income and factors in overnight stays. This distinction can significantly affect the amount of support owed under shared custody.
How Shared Custody Affects Child Support
Shared custody often results in reduced child support obligations for the parent who spends more time with the child. Courts typically adjust payments to account for the direct costs of care, including food, clothing, and housing.
For instance, if a parent previously paid $800 per month under a standard custody arrangement but now shares equal time with the child, the court may lower the payment to reflect that both parents are contributing directly to daily expenses. It’s important to understand that these adjustments aren’t automatic.
Parents must formally request a modification and provide supporting documentation. This evidence often includes copies of the parenting schedule, proof of income changes, receipts for child-related expenses, and documentation of medical or educational costs. Courts use this information to make sure that the adjusted child support arrangement fairly reflects the realities of shared custody.
Steps to Request a Child Support Modification
Parents seeking an adjustment due to shared custody should approach the process carefully to give their case the strongest chance of success. Following a series of steps can help demonstrate the need for a modification and provide the court with the necessary information. First, parents should:
Review the current support order: Understand the terms of the existing arrangement and identify the sections impacted by custody changes.
Gather financial records: Collect pay stubs, tax returns, and expense receipts to demonstrate income and costs.
Document parenting time: Maintain a detailed log showing the actual time each parent spends with the child.
File a petition for modification: Submit a formal request to the court requesting an adjustment to child support arrangements.
Attend a hearing: Present evidence and explain how the new custody arrangement affects financial responsibilities.
Completing these steps thoroughly helps the court make a decision that fairly reflects both the child’s needs and the parents’ contributions under shared custody.
Kansas and Missouri Courts
Kansas courts calculate child support using the “Income Shares Model,” which estimates the amount the child would have received if the parents lived together. Adjustments for shared custody are based on the percentage of parenting time. Missouri courts use the “Income Shares plus Overnights” method, which adjusts support based on the number of overnight stays with each parent.
Both states permit modifications in cases of significant changes in circumstances, which might include:
A significant increase or decrease in income
A change in the child’s living arrangement or parenting schedule
Extraordinary medical or educational expenses
Parents should note that minor changes in custody or income typically don’t justify a modification. Courts look for meaningful changes that affect the child’s well-being.
Tips for Working Through Modifications
Parents facing the need to modify child support arrangements can benefit from taking a proactive and organized approach to the process.
Communicate clearly: Discuss changes with the other parent before filing a modification.
Keep detailed records: Accurate documentation of income, expenses, and parenting time strengthens your case.
Consult legal guidance: A lawyer experienced in child support arrangements can provide advice on state-specific rules and procedural requirements.
Be realistic: Courts balance the child’s needs and both parents’ ability to pay. Adjustments usually aim for fairness rather than perfection.
By approaching modifications thoughtfully and systematically, parents can increase the likelihood of a smooth process and an outcome that reflects the actual parenting arrangement and financial responsibilities.
Common Challenges in Shared Custody Adjustments
Modifying child support in shared custody situations can present several challenges for parents. Disagreements over how parenting time is counted may arise, and courts may require detailed logs or mediation to resolve these disputes. Income fluctuations can also complicate calculations, particularly for parents with commission-based or seasonal earnings, making it harder to determine a fair support amount.
Additionally, disagreements over which parent is responsible for specific child expenses, such as medical bills or extracurricular activities, can create further tension and require clear documentation to resolve.
Differences in Kansas and Missouri law may add another layer of complication for families living near state borders or moving between states, as each jurisdiction has unique rules for calculating support and adjusting payments. These challenges highlight the importance of thorough preparation and accurate records when seeking a modification.
Strategies to Address Challenges
When shared custody adjustments become contentious, parents can adopt specific strategies to reduce disputes and make the modification process more efficient.
Use parenting agreements: Written agreements outlining custody schedules and financial responsibilities can prevent misunderstandings.
Consider mediation: Neutral mediators can help parents reach mutually acceptable arrangements without court intervention.
Track expenses carefully: Maintain receipts and records to support claims for necessary adjustments.
Consult an attorney: Legal advice from Joseph A. DeWoskin, P.C., can help parents understand state-specific rules and present a stronger case to the court.
By combining these strategies, parents can approach child support modifications in a way that protects their interests while minimizing conflict and supporting the child’s well-being throughout the process.
How Child Support Adjustments Affect Children
Adjustments to child support arrangements can have a direct and meaningful impact on children. Fair support helps provide financial stability, making sure that their basic needs are met in both homes. Clear and well-structured arrangements can also reduce conflict between parents, creating a calmer and more peaceful environment for the child.
Additionally, when financial responsibilities align with actual parenting time, children benefit from a sense of fairness and consistency in their daily lives. Throughout any modification process, the child’s best interests remain the primary consideration.
Courts and attorneys focus on outcomes that maintain a stable, nurturing environment where children can thrive emotionally, academically, and socially.
Documentation Needed for a Child Support Modification
When requesting an adjustment to child support, parents generally need to provide comprehensive documentation to support their case. This typically includes income verification, such as pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof of earnings, to show the court each parent’s financial situation.
Expense records for child-related costs, such as childcare, education, or medical care, are also important for demonstrating the child's ongoing needs. Additionally, a written custody schedule showing the actual parenting time helps clarify how responsibilities are shared between parents.
The existing support order should be included to provide context for the current obligations and payment history. Having complete and well-organized documentation allows the court to accurately assess the situation and make a fair decision that reflects both the child’s needs and the realities of shared custody.
Timing Considerations
Courts typically take the timing of modifications into serious consideration. Parents are advised to request changes only after the shared custody arrangement has been in place and maintained for a significant period. Filing too soon may result in rejection if the change is not deemed substantial. Additionally, courts prioritize the child’s stability and may postpone adjustments until routines are firmly established.
Working With a Lawyer
An experienced family law attorney can guide parents through each step of modifying child support arrangements, providing clarity and support throughout the process. Legal guidance often includes explaining how state law applies to the specific custody situation, reviewing the current support order, preparing petitions and supporting documents, and representing parents during hearings.
Having professional support not only increases the likelihood of a fair outcome but also helps parents understand the realistic expectations of the court. With a lawyer’s assistance, parents can present a stronger case, avoid common pitfalls, and work toward a child support arrangement that accurately reflects both the child’s needs and the shared custody arrangement.
Tips for Co-Parent Communication
Effective communication between co-parents is a critical factor in making shared custody and child support modifications go more smoothly.
Schedule regular check-ins: Discuss upcoming expenses and parenting needs.
Use clear, written communication: Email or shared calendars reduce misunderstandings.
Agree on budgeting for shared costs: Decide who pays for what in advance when possible.
Keep the focus on the child: Emphasize the child’s best interest rather than past conflicts.
By maintaining open, respectful communication and consistently prioritizing the child’s well-being, parents can minimize disputes and foster a stable, nurturing environment where children can thrive emotionally, academically, and socially.
Contact Us Today
Adjusting child support for shared custody requires attention to income, parenting time, and the child’s needs. Joseph A. DeWoskin, P.C., helps parents in Kansas City, Kansas, and surrounding counties, including Johnson, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte, as well as Jackson County, Cass County, Clay County, and Platte County in Missouri, secure fair arrangements. Contact the firm today to discuss your options.