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North Carolina Child Support: Complete Guide to Calculations, Deviations, and Modification

Learn how North Carolina Child Support Guidelines work, which worksheet to use, what counts as income, and how to change or enforce an order. Designed for parents, caregivers, and attorneys who want a clear, practical roadmap.

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Quick facts

Income Shares Model

NC uses combined parental income to estimate the child’s share. Each parent pays a share based on their percentage of the total.

Worksheets A, B, C

Primary custody. Shared custody. Split custody. The worksheet tracks overnights and children in each household.

Health and childcare

Guidelines include health insurance premiums, work-related childcare, and extraordinary expenses where supported.

Deviation

Courts may deviate from the Guidelines when the presumptive amount is unjust or inappropriate based on the child’s needs and the parties’ ability to pay.

Modification

A substantial change in circumstances can support modification. Many courts view a guideline change of about 15 percent as a good indicator.

Enforcement

Income withholding, contempt, payment plans, liens, and tax intercepts are common tools. NC Child Support Services can help in many cases.

In this guide

Overview and goals

North Carolina uses the Child Support Guidelines to set a presumptive amount that meets a child’s reasonable needs based on the parents’ combined income. The court considers custody schedules, insurance premiums, work-related childcare, and certain extraordinary expenses. The result should be predictable and fair. When the presumptive number does not fit the child’s needs or the parties’ situation, the court can deviate after making findings.

Child support is separate from alimony and property division, but those issues can affect cash flow and budgets. Parenting time also matters, so review your custody plan and consider a practical parenting plan.

Which worksheet to use

  • Worksheet A for primary physical custody. One parent has the child for most overnights in a year.
  • Worksheet B for shared physical custody. Each parent has at least 123 overnights in a year. The formula accounts for time with each parent.
  • Worksheet C for split custody. Each parent has primary custody of at least one child in the case.

Confirm the overnight count with your custody schedule. Small changes can shift the worksheet.

Income and imputation

Gross income includes wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, and many recurring benefits. For self-employed parents, ordinary business expenses are deducted to reach adjusted gross income. Courts may consider consistent overtime, bonuses, or other regular pay. Fringe benefits that reduce personal living expenses can be included where appropriate.

  • Pre-existing obligations. Court-ordered support for other children may be credited.
  • Alimony and PSS. Support paid or received between the parties can affect the child support worksheet. See Alimony in NC.
  • Imputed income. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed without good cause, the court may impute income based on work history and earning capacity.

Insurance, childcare, and extraordinary costs

The Guidelines add reasonable health insurance premiums for the child, work-related childcare costs, and documented extraordinary expenses. Examples include special educational needs, therapy, travel for visitation in long distance cases, and other child-specific costs that are reasonable and necessary.

Deviation from the Guidelines

The guideline amount is presumptive. A court may deviate if that number is unjust or inappropriate. The judge makes findings about the child’s needs and the parties’ ability to pay, then sets support that fits those findings. Evidence that helps includes budgets, insurance and medical records, childcare statements, school invoices, and proof of recurring costs.

High income and low income cases

Very high incomes may exceed the guideline schedule. Courts then look closely at the child’s actual needs and set support based on credible evidence. For low income cases, the self-support reserve helps ensure a paying parent keeps enough income to meet basic needs while still contributing to the child’s support.

Modification of child support

Support can be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances. Common reasons include a significant shift in income, a new custody schedule, changes in childcare or health insurance, or the needs of the child. Many courts treat about a 15 percent change in the guideline result as a useful marker. Keep records and file promptly when the change occurs.

Enforcement and arrears

Orders can be enforced through income withholding, contempt, payment plans, liens, tax refund intercepts, and other remedies. North Carolina Child Support Services can assist in many cases, including locating parents, establishing paternity, and enforcing orders. If you are behind, communicate early and bring proof of income and expenses.

Medical support and uninsured expenses

One or both parents may be ordered to maintain health insurance when available at a reasonable cost. Uninsured medical expenses are often split in a set percentage. Track co-pays, prescriptions, therapy, and dental or vision costs and exchange documentation regularly.

Temporary and retroactive support

Temporary child support can be ordered early to stabilize finances. Courts can also enter retroactive support based on past needs and the parties’ earnings. Bring pay records and childcare invoices for the period in question.

Interstate cases and UIFSA

The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act controls which state establishes, modifies, and enforces support when parents live in different states. Coordinate closely with your attorney to avoid duplicate cases and to ensure the correct court has jurisdiction to modify.

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Common questions

When does child support end in NC?

Support usually ends at age 18, or upon high school graduation if the child turns 18 while still in school, but not past age 20. Court orders control the exact end date. Check your order and ask your attorney about your facts.

Can the court consider overtime or bonuses?

Yes when they are steady and expected. If pay varies, the court may average over a reasonable period and look at reliability and history.

Who claims the child for taxes?

Child support is not taxable to the recipient and not deductible by the payor. Dependency claims and credits follow federal rules. Many orders assign the dependency claim or alternate years. Speak with a tax professional for your situation.