Question 1

How is child support calculated in North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

North Carolina uses the Income Shares Model, which considers both parents' gross incomes, the number of children, custody arrangement, work-related childcare costs, and health insurance premiums. The NC Child Support Guidelines provide a schedule that determines the basic support obligation based on combined parental income.

Question 2

What is the difference between Worksheet A and Worksheet B?

Accepted Answer

Worksheet A is used for Primary Custody arrangements where one parent has the child for more than 242 overnights per year. Worksheet B is used for Shared Custody arrangements where both parents have at least 123 overnights per year. Shared custody calculations multiply the basic obligation by 1.5 and factor in time spent with each parent.

Question 3

What income is included in child support calculations?

Accepted Answer

Gross income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, retirement benefits, and other recurring payments. Courts may also impute income based on earning capacity if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed in bad faith.

Question 4

Can child support be modified after it's ordered?

Accepted Answer

Yes, child support can be modified if there's a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in either parent's income, changes in custody arrangements, or changes in the child's needs. Either parent can petition the court for a modification.

Question 5

What counties in NC does this calculator apply to?

Accepted Answer

This calculator uses the official North Carolina Child Support Guidelines and is valid for all 100 NC counties, including Wake, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Forsyth, Cumberland, Durham, Buncombe, New Hanover, Gaston, and Union counties.

Question 6

What if the other parent has primary custody without my consent?

Accepted Answer

Child support will still be calculated based on whoever had the child(ren) during that time and was therefore paying their expenses. However, you may need to file a custody claim separately.

NC Child Support Calculator

Income Adjustments for Other Children

Work-Related Daycare

Children's Health Insurance

How the Basic Obligation is Calculated

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