How Child Support is Calculated in North Carolina
North Carolina uses a specific formula called the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines. The formula considers both parents' gross monthly incomes, overnight visits, health insurance, daycare costs, and any other children either parent supports.
HOW CHILD SUPPORT WORKS
The Three Worksheets
North Carolina uses one of three worksheets depending on your custody arrangement, the most common are A and B. The specific worksheet determines the support amount.
Worksheet A
Primary physical custody with one parent, defined as one parent having fewer than 123 overnights per year.
Worksheet B
Shared physical custody, applied when both parents spend more than 123 overnights per year with the child.
Worksheet C applies to split custody arrangements — where each parent has primary custody of at least one child. Less common, and calculated case by case.
Income Standard
What Counts as Income for Child Support
Gross income includes the income received from all sources. Two areas can become complicated: self-employment (courts can add back deductions) and voluntarily unemployed parents (court can impute income based on earning capacity, not actual earnings).
Salary, wages, commissions, and bonuses
Self-employment income
Rental and investment income
Unemployment and workers' compensation
Social Security retirement and disability benefits
Custody & Support
How the Custody Schedule Affects the Number
The custodial schedule and the amount of child support paid are deeply connected. It can be helpful to negotiate child support and child custody together, not separately.
How We Work
How We Handle Child Support at Smith Cash Family Law
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Faq
Your child support questions, answered honestly.
Who has to pay child support in NC?
Both parents are legally responsible for supporting their child. An income analysis is necessary to determine the amount of support to be paid.
Can child support be modified?
How long does child support last in North Carolina?
Does child support include college?