Bradley Software

Updated October 22, 2024

Quarterly each year the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases updated average wage information. The Bradley Kansas Child Support Calculator uses this updated wage information to calculate the interstate pay differential (IPD). The IPD is used to offset the cost of living difference between the state where a parent resides and the Kansas wage equivalence. In effect this equalizes a wage paid in a state other than Kansas with Kansas average wages.

An example of this might be where one parent lives in Kansas who has a monthly income of $2000 and the other parent living in New York state who has a monthly income of $4000. The cost of living in New York state is vastly different than the cost of living in Kansas. Using current 2024 data, the average weekly wage in Kansas is $1272 while the average weekly wage in New York is $2070.

Per the Kansas Child Support Guidelines section III.B.9 (also Appendix IV), these values are used to compute an adjustment in the wages for the parent living in New York. The guidelines state:

To compute the Interstate Pay Differential, divide the average weekly wage in Kansas (KS) by the weekly wage of the other state.

This value is then multiplied against the out of state parent's actual wage. So in our example for the parent living in New York the formula is:
(KS avg wage) / (NY avg wage) * (Income of Parent living in NY) = KS equivalent wages
(1272)         /     (2070)      *     (4000)   =    $2458

$2458 per week is the Kansas equivalent wage for the parent residing in New York.

Interstate pay differential is not required but can be granted at the court's discretion.

Bradley Software’s automated parental time, arrears, and child support calculations can increase your firm’s efficiency. Book a meeting today to learn more!

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