Child Support

Child Support in North Carolina

Both parents are required to share the financial responsibility to support their child/children. Child support payments are generally based upon the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines and take into consideration the parties’ gross incomes, the number of children, health insurance and child care costs, extraordinary expenses, and the custodial schedule. In cases where the combined incomes of the parents are more than $360,000 a year, the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines are not used, and instead the court considers, among other things, the reasonable needs of the child/children.

It is important to pay child support, even if a legal agreement or court order does not currently exist. If child support is not paid, the courts can require you to pay attorney fees and may establish child support arrears for payments that should have been made.

See our frequently asked questions page for more information on child support in North Carolina.