Kansas Statutes Annotated

K.S.A. § 20-165 (2026)

Rules establishing child support guidelines; factors to be considered; calculation of support for an unborn child; definitions

✓ current as of May 2026

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20-165. Rules establishing child support guidelines; factors to be considered; calculation of support for an unborn child; definitions. (a) The supreme court shall adopt rules establishing guidelines for the amount of child support to be ordered in any action in this state including, but not limited to, K.S.A. 39-755 and K.S.A. 23-2215, and amendments thereto, article 30 of chapter 23 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto, and K.S.A. 23-2711, and amendments thereto.

(b) In adopting such rules, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to:

(1) The needs of the child;

(2) the standards of living and circumstances of the parents;

(3) the relative financial means of the parents;

(4) the earning ability of the parents;

(5) the need and capacity of the child for education;

(6) the age of the child;

(7) the financial resources and earning ability of the child;

(8) the responsibility of the parents for the support of others;

(9) the value of services contributed by both parents; and

(10) the direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses of the mother.

(c) The maximum amount of child support to be ordered for the support of an unborn child shall not exceed the direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses of the mother of the unborn child. Pregnancy-related expenses shall not include any costs related to an elective abortion.

(d) The amount of child support determined pursuant to subsection (b)(10) shall be calculated from the date of conception of such mother's child. Interest shall accrue for any such amount of child support at the statutory rate provided under K.S.A. 16-204, and amendments thereto, and shall continue to accrue until the payment of such child support is no longer in arrearage.

(e) As used in this section:

(1) "Elective abortion" means an abortion for any reason other than to prevent the death of the mother upon whom the abortion is performed, except that an abortion may not be deemed one to prevent the death of the mother based on a claim or diagnosis that such mother will engage in conduct that would result in such mother's death; and

(2) "unborn child" means the same as defined in K.S.A. 23-3001, and amendments thereto.

History: L. 1986, ch. 219, § 2; L. 1992, ch. 312, § 1; L. 2011, ch. 26, § 39; L. 2012, ch. 162, § 29; L. 2014, ch. 116, § 1; L. 2025, ch. 112, § 1; July 1.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 12 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1989–2024 · leading case: In Re the Marriage of Thurmond, 962 P.2d 1064 (Kan. 1998).

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In Re the Marriage of Thurmond, 962 P.2d 1064 (Kan. 1998). · cites it 2× “" The Kansas Supreme Court was given the mandate in K.S.A. 20-165 to adopt rules establishing guidelines for the amount of child support to be ordered in any action in this state and has done so.”

Skillett v. Sierra, 53 P.3d 1234 (Kan. Ct. App. 2002). “K.S.A. 20-165 authorizes the Supreme Court to establish guidelines in any action under Chapter 38 or Chapter 60.”

State Ex Rel. Dix v. Plank, 780 P.2d 171 (Kan. Ct. App. 1989). “54), commonly known as the Kansas Child Support Guidelines adopted in compliance with K.S.A. 20-165. We affirm. On April 10,1984, Todd Plank acknowledged and stipulated in a settlement agreement that he is the father of T.”

In re Marriage of Yocky (Kan. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 4× “The Kansas Legislature delegated to the Kansas Supreme Court the authority to "adopt rules establishing guidelines for the amount of child support to be ordered in any action" in K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 20-165(a). Subsection (b) of that statute sets out a nonexclusive list of factors…”

Rupp Ex Rel. Sec'y of Kansas Dep't of Soc. & Rehab. Servs. v. Grubb, 962 P.2d 1074 (Kan. 1998). · cites it 2× “However, K.S.A. 20-165 provides: “The supreme court shall adopt rules establishing guidelines for the amount of child support to be ordered in any action in this state including, but not limited to, K.”

In re Marriage of Lask (Kan. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 2× “(governing court's obligation and authority to make provisions for child support); K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 20-165 (mandating Supreme Court to adopt rules establishing child support guidelines); Guidelines, Administrative Order No.”

Matter of Marriage of Moler & Moler, 444 P.3d 1017 (Kan. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 2× “23-3002(a) provides: "In determining the amount to be paid for child support, the court shall follow the Kansas child support guidelines adopted by the supreme court pursuant to K.S.A. 20-165, and amendments thereto." The parties agree that the base child support provision…”

In re Marriage of Madrigal (Kan. Ct. App. 2020). “See K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 20-165(a). No Kansas statute imposes a duty on parents paying child support to disclose a material change in financial circumstances.”

In re Marriage of Bailey (Kan. Ct. App. 2021). “(governing court's obligation and authority to make provisions for child support); K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 20-165 (mandating Supreme Court to adopt rules establishing child support guidelines); Kansas Child Support Guidelines (2020 Kan.”

In re Marriage of Nusz (Kan. Ct. App. 2022). “(governing court's obligation and authority to make provisions for child support); K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 20-165 (mandating Supreme Court to adopt rules establishing child support guidelines); Kansas Child Support Guidelines (2022 Kan.”

In re Marriage of Freeman (Kan. Ct. App. 2022). “See K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 20-165 (listing criteria for determining child support).”

In re Marriage of K.C. & C.C. (Kan. Ct. App. 2024). “(governing court's obligation and authority to make provisions for child support); K.S.A. 20-165 (mandating Supreme Court to adopt rules establishing child support guidelines); Kansas Child Support Guidelines, Administrative Order No.”

— K.S.A. § 20-165(a) — 2 cases

In re Marriage of Yocky (Kan. Ct. App. 2021). “The Kansas Legislature delegated to the Kansas Supreme Court the authority to "adopt rules establishing guidelines for the amount of child support to be ordered in any action" in K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 20-165(a). Subsection (b) of that statute sets out a nonexclusive list of factors…”

— K.S.A. § 20-165(b) — 1 case

— K.S.A. § 20-165(b)(2) — 1 case

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