When dealing with anything related to your child, it is important to speak with an experienced divorce attorney. One small mistake or oversight in this legal process could have significant long-term effects and be a difficult and lengthy process to amend.
NC child support lawyers, Andrea Nyren Doyle and Ann-Margaret Alexander leverage 25+ years of Family Law experience to help ensure an optimal outcome of child support issues.
Child Support in North Carolina
North Carolina Statutes provide a formula for determining the amount of child support owed by one party to another. This formula is called the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines.
The formula is based upon the income-sharing approach and utilizes each party’s gross income while giving credit for payments made for health care insurance premiums for the child, work-related child care expenses, and other extraordinary expenses. The formula also takes into account the number of overnights the child spends with each parent.
NC Child Support Worksheets
Worksheet A is used if one parent has less than 123 overnights, Worksheet B is used if both parents have more than 123 overnights, and Worksheet C is used if the parties have more than one child and each parent has primary custody of at least one child each.
Each worksheet provides for the various custodial arrangements and therefore more than just the number of overnights should be considered before determining which worksheet is right for you.
Child Support Payment Calculator
Use this online tool to calculate the appropriate child support payment amount pursuant to the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines:
Speak with an Experienced Child Support Attorney
If you need assistance with NC child support, call the Cary Family Lawyers of Alexander & Doyle, P.A. at 919-380-1001, or fill out the form below to schedule your consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as “gross income” when calculating child support?
For North Carolina child support calculations, “gross income” covers ALL income from pretty much any source, including salary and bonuses, business income, rental property income, retirement and pensions, capital gains, and insurance benefits. This is pre-tax income before deductions. However, means-tested government welfare programs, your new spouse’s income, and employer-paid portions of taxes or health insurance don’t count toward gross income.
Can child support be increased or decreased if my income changes significantly?
Yes, North Carolina child support can be modified when there’s a “substantial change in circumstances,” which includes significant income changes like job loss, salary increases, or changes in employment status. You must file a petition with the court to request modification. The court will recalculate support using current income information and the same guidelines used for the original order.
What happens if the other parent doesn’t pay child support?
North Carolina has several enforcement tools for non-payment of child support, including wage garnishment, intercepting tax refunds, seizing bank accounts, filing liens on property, suspending driver’s licenses, and even jail time. You can contact North Carolina Child Support Enforcement for assistance or file a motion with the court to hold the non-paying parent in contempt.
