NC Child Support Calculator

How North Carolina calculates child support

North Carolina uses an Income Shares model for child support, which is based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the family had remained intact. The guidelines consider both parents' gross incomes, the number of children, the custody arrangement, and additional expenses such as health insurance premiums, work-related childcare costs, and extraordinary expenses.

For primary custody arrangements, the non-custodial parent pays their proportionate share of the combined support obligation. For joint custody arrangements where both parents share significant time, the formula calculates the difference between each parent's obligation to determine the net payment direction and amount.

The NC Child Support Guidelines are updated periodically by the NC Conference of Chief District Court Judges. An attorney can help you understand how the guidelines apply to your specific situation, what deductions and adjustments may be available, and how to present the most accurate picture of each parent's financial circumstances.

This website provides general legal information and is not legal advice. Every situation is different. Consult an attorney about your specific circumstances.