Calculating Child Support in North Carolina

Parental income and how much each spouse contributed to the whole income level of the household are usually the most important factors in determining child support. There are a variety of other aspects, however, that a judge must also examine to calculate the final amount, such as:

• Number of dependent children
• Gross monthly income of custodial and noncustodial parents
• How much each parent pays for child support in previous marriages
• Daycare and family group health insurance payments

North Carolina law mandates that parents provide financial support for their children up to the age of 18 and upon high school graduation. If the child does not complete high school, the support ends at 20 years of age instead. It should be noted that if you wish, you and your ex-spouse may discuss support payments that provide partially or totally for your child's college education. This is not a legal statute but it is certainly a strong show of goodwill and encouragement.

We Simplify the Process for You

Calculating child support payments can become a complex process as many factors start to play into the final decision. Your unique situation may require calculations that differ from traditional guidelines. Our goal as your go-to family law Lawyer is to make the entire procedure as simple and as painless as can be. We want you to feel confident at the end of the day that your child is comfortable.

The judge's final ruling can be affected by the following issues pertaining to the noncustodial parent:

• Inability to meet payment schedule
• Paying amounts less than agreed upon
• Intentionally evading payments
• May be able to reasonably pay more

If your child has special needs or interests, whether they have a chronic medical condition or participate in an expensive club sport, a court can rule for a higher amount in child support. There are also circumstances that can open child support to possible modification, such as unexpected job loss or your own medical needs. Our firm is there to support your claims from start to finish, even in cases where you need to change a preexisting child support agreement.

Understanding and Using Child Support Guidelines

If the combined incomes of both parents do not exceed $300,000 annually, before taxes, North Carolina child support guidelines will be used to determine a fair amount of child support. On the contrary, if combined incomes are in excess of $300,000 annually, the court will instead determine the amount. If a judge makes the final decision on how much child support will be ordered for your case, you will want to take that opportunity to present your ideas and what you think is best for everyone.

Compassionate Child Support Lawyer in Raleigh, NC