Calculating Child Support

The cost of child support varies depending on child custody situation and/or agreement. To calculate approximate North Carolina child support payments, use the appropriate worksheets, below, based on your child's custody situation.

North Carolina Child Support Worksheets*

• North Carolina Child Support Guidelines – How to Use the Worksheets
• Child Support Worksheet A – Primary Custody
• Child Support Worksheet B – Joint/Shared Custody
• Child Support Worksheet C – Split Custody

*The linked worksheets are created, copyrighted, and maintained by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). For additional forms, visit the North Carolina Courts Web site.

Common Questions

• What is child support?
• How is child support determined?
• How can I get child support from my child's parent?
• What if I choose to not pay child support?

What is child support?

Child support is money and health care paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent for the support and care of the children.

Child support is based on the policy that parents are obligated to pay for their children's support and needs, even they don't live with the children.

How is child support determined?

Both parents are required to provide for the financial support of the child. Either parent may be ordered to pay child support. After consideration is given to the earnings, estates, conditions, accustomed standard of living of the child and parents, child care, and other expenses, the Court Orders child support in amounts that are reasonable for the child's health, education, and care.

In North Carolina, the court has guidelines for calculating child support. While these guidelines don't require strict adherence by the judge, deviation from the guidelines requires a finding that deviation is appropriate and will be reflected in the child support order. As part of child support, North Carolina District Courts usually require a parent to provide health insurance for the child if they have the financial means to do so even if the child could otherwise receive medicare.

How can I get child support from my child's parent?

If the parent doesn't voluntarily pay support you can hire an attorney to assist in obtaining child support or you can contact your local child support enforcement agency. The child support enforcement agency will generally assist recipients of public assistance in establishing child support for no charge, and they help others for a $25 fee.

If a child support order has been issued, the parent was paying you directly but stopped, you may have to file a child support enforcement action. Contact an attorney or your local child support enforcement agency. If the NC State Centralized Collection Unit was processing your payments; contact them for information.

What if I choose to not pay child support?

While it depends on circumstances, you could be arrested and held in jail until you pay what you owe, have your wages withheld, licenses seized, and/or your income tax refund taken. If you are unable to pay your child support contact an attorney for assistance, or file a motion to ask the court to modify your support responsibilities. If you are indigent, you may qualify for a court appointed attorney to assist you in your defense since you could face jail for non-payment. Rice Law, PLLC attorneys help plaintiffs and defendants, including indigents as part of our public service commitment, with the North Carolina child support issues.