CHILD SUPPORT ATTORNEYS IN COVINGTON, KENTUCKY

At The Berger Firm, our Covington child support attorneys work with families across Kentucky to help them move forward after separation or divorce. When children are involved, there are few matters more important than providing stability and fairness.

Kentucky law outlines specific expectations and obligations to make sure children have the resources they need, regardless of the status of their parents' relationship.

We know how emotional these cases can be. Child support decisions are tied not just to finances, but also to parenting time, household dynamics, and long-term planning. Parents want what’s best for their kids, but they also want an outcome that reflects their own circumstances fairly. 

That’s where our experience becomes valuable. We’re proud to serve Covington, Kentucky, and the greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area, including Newport, Florence, Kenton County, Campbell County, Boone County, Hamilton County, Grant County, and Gallatin County.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Kentucky

Kentucky uses a guideline-based approach to determine child support. These guidelines consider both parents’ gross monthly income, the number of children involved, and certain allowable deductions. 

The court starts with these figures to come up with a base support obligation. The income of both parents is combined to determine a total obligation, which is then divided between the parents based on their share of the total income.

In addition to basic support, the court may factor in health insurance premiums, work-related childcare costs, and other expenses related to the child’s care. 

These figures are used to modify the final obligation in a way that reflects the child's actual financial needs. Our firm works closely with clients to review financial documents, clarify any income questions, and prepare a full picture of what the court will evaluate.

Who Pays? And When?

In most Kentucky child support cases, the parent who does not have primary physical custody of the child will be the one making the support payments. This is true even in cases where parents share joint legal custody. 

The court’s goal is to make sure the child continues to receive financial care from both parents, regardless of where the child spends most of their time.

Payments are usually made on a monthly basis, although the court has flexibility to adjust the schedule if the situation calls for it. 

Support orders are enforced through the Kentucky Child Support Enforcement Program, which monitors payments and has the authority to take action when a parent falls behind. We assist our clients in establishing reliable payment structures so that both parties have clarity about what’s expected.

What Happens If Income Changes

Life circumstances change. People lose jobs, switch careers, take on new responsibilities, or face medical issues that affect their income. Kentucky law allows a parent to request a modification of the child support order when there has been a material change in circumstances. 

This typically means that the income of one or both parents has changed by 15% or more since the original order was entered.

A request to modify child support must be made through the court, and the parent requesting the change needs to show documentation that supports the shift in income or financial situation. 

We guide our clients through that process, helping them prepare and file the necessary paperwork and present their case clearly to the judge. The court is focused on fairness to both the paying and receiving parent while keeping the child’s best interest at the center of the decision.

Enforcement When Payments Stop

Unfortunately, some parents stop paying child support without a legal reason. In Kentucky, this triggers a number of possible enforcement actions. Wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, suspension of driver’s licenses, and liens on property are all tools that can be used to bring a delinquent parent back into compliance.

We help custodial parents take action when support has stopped. Delays and excuses can wear down a parent who is trying to provide for a child on their own, but the law offers a number of enforcement paths. 

Filing a motion with the court and working with Kentucky’s enforcement agencies can help move things forward when payments have stalled. We also represent parents who may be struggling to make payments due to financial hardship, and we help them seek legal solutions instead of ignoring the problem.

Support for Older Children

In Kentucky, child support typically continues until the child turns 18. If the child is still in high school at that time, support can continue until graduation or the child’s 19th birthday, whichever comes first. 

It’s important for parents to know that support obligations don’t automatically stop—they must be formally terminated through the court.

We work with clients as their children approach adulthood to review the order and confirm whether an end date has been reached. 

In some cases, particularly where a parent has overpaid or underpaid during the term of the order, we may also address final accountings or reimbursement issues. When handled properly, the transition out of a support order can be straightforward and respectful to everyone involved.

Child Support in Shared Parenting Arrangements

Many parents today share parenting time more evenly, which brings up additional questions about how child support should be handled. Kentucky courts use a shared parenting worksheet to determine child support in these situations. 

This worksheet takes into account the income of both parents, the time the child spends in each household, and any additional costs either parent covers directly.

Even in cases where parenting time is nearly equal, one parent may still be responsible for paying support. This is often because of income differences or because one parent pays for the child’s health insurance, school costs, or other needs. 

We help clients understand how these factors are applied under Kentucky law and work to present an accurate case to the court.

Child Support and Parenting Plans

Child support and custody often go hand in hand. The amount of time a child spends with each parent influences the financial obligations that follow. When parenting time is reduced or when there is a shift in primary custody, the support order may also need to be adjusted.

We help clients revise parenting plans and support orders when necessary. Sometimes, one parent moves out of state, or a child develops needs that require different care arrangements. 

These shifts have legal and financial implications that we address through proper filings and thoughtful advocacy. Child support should reflect the reality of the parenting schedule and the needs of the child.

When Parents Are Not Married

Child support obligations apply whether the parents were married or not. If the parents were never married, it’s still important to have a court-ordered child support agreement in place. This provides structure and enforcement mechanisms that aren’t available through informal arrangements.

In cases involving unmarried parents, establishing paternity is usually the first step. Kentucky law requires legal paternity before a court will issue a child support order. 

Once paternity is established, the same guidelines and legal standards apply as in any other case. We assist parents with every step of this process so they can focus on co-parenting with clarity and fairness.