What is Child Support in North Carolina and How Does a Court Determine Child Support?

Child Support is money paid from one parent to the other parent, for the support of the minor child. In North Carolina, for most families, Child Support is very formulaic. If the parents’ combined gross income is less than $40,000.00 per month, the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines apply.

In cases where the Child Support Guidelines apply, a Court will take a few variables and plug them into the North Carolina Child Support Worksheet. Those variables include:

·         Each party’s gross income;

·         Number of overnights with each parent;

·         Health insurance premiums for the minor child;

·         Work related child care costs;

·         Any extraordinary expense.

The Child Support Guidelines will then generate the presumptive child support amount based on the Income Shares Model. While a party may ask the Court to deviate from the guidelines, in most cases, the Court will use the presumptive Child Support amount when setting child support.

In cases where the parties’ combined gross income exceeds $40,000.00 per month, the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines do not apply. In those cases (“off-guidelines”), a Court will examine the actual reasonable needs and expenses of the minor children in determining the appropriate amount of child support.

Child support stays in effect until the minor child turns eighteen (18) AND graduates from high school. Absent the agreement of the parties, a North Carolina Court cannot Order one parent to pay for college expenses after the minor child turns eighteen (18) AND graduates high school.

Child Support is an important part of any family law case. Whether you are the paying parent or the parent receiving support, it is important to make sure your rights related to Child Support are protected. At Carter & Noland, our attorneys are experienced in all types of child support cases and are ready to help you through your Child Support case. Call our firm today to set up a consultation to discuss issues related to Child Support or any other family law matters. We look forward to having your back through this difficult time.