Anyone who has physical custody of a child and needs help establishing who is the father of the child, establishing a child support order, or collecting current or past-due child support payments is eligible to receive child support services.  Services are available to anyone living with and caring for a child who needs financial help supporting him or her. If you believe you may be the father of a child, you can apply for services to establish paternity and a child support order.

Child support services are automatically available to current and former recipients of K-TAP and medical assistance.

Providing the non-custodial parent's address, social security number, date of birth, employer, bank account details, property ownership, and investments can be very helpful. You can find this information in old insurance policies, credit card applications, tax returns, hospital records, police reports, and birth certificates. You might also get details from the non-custodial parent's friends, family, or business contacts.

Additionally, send copies of any court orders and payment records. If you know the non-custodial parent's date of birth and parents' names, the child support agency can get information from agencies like Social Security, IRS, Veterans Administration, and others. The agency can access all state and federal records if you provide the non-custodial parent's social security number. However, be prepared for this process to take several months.

The Kentucky Legislature has created a formula to determine child support. The formula takes into account each parent's income, medical insurance costs, daycare expenses, the number of days spent with the child(ren). and any child support already being paid for older children to calculate the total amount required.

Child support can be changed if there is a significant change in circumstances, like a change in income or an older child becoming independent, resulting in at least a 15% change in the amount.

Please contact the child support office to file a modification at (270) 236-0100.

To change child support, a motion must be filed with the original court. Only a signed order from a judge can alter child support. If both parents agree, they can sign an order with the judge. If there is no agreement, a court hearing is needed for the judge to decide.

According to rules, the following individuals can request a review to possibly change the support amount:

• The custodial parent

• The noncustodial parent

• A nonparental custodian (like a grandparent or aunt/uncle)

• A foreign country with ties to Kentucky can also request a review, treated like a request from another state.

Child support staff must inform both parties at least once every three years about their right to ask for a review and possible adjustment of the child support order.

CSE can use various methods, such as court action, income withholding, seizing bank accounts, suspending driver’s or professional licenses, intercepting lottery winnings, withholding state or federal tax refunds, and denying passport applications.

Child support payments are separate from visitation rights. CSE cannot provide services to address visitation or custody or establish or modify spousal support. If a court orders you to pay child support, you must pay it regardless of your visits with the children.

If you have visitation rights but the custodial parent does not allow you to see the children, you may be able to file a motion with the court to have them held in contempt.

The toll-free number (800) 443-1576 gives you automated access to child support payment and account details, available 24/7. To access information, you need your Individual Child Support ID Number from the agency. If you lose or forget this ID number, contact your local child support office for help.