Compassionate Legal Support for Family Matters

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 CHILD SUPPORT 

In North Carolina, child support is calculated using guidelines established by the state of North Carolina and called the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines. 

These guidelines take into consideration the income of both parents, the number of children, and certain expenses related to child-rearing. Here’s an overview of how child support is calculated in North Carolina. Contact us to get legal advice about your specific situation.

      1.    Gross Income: The starting point for calculating child support is the gross income of both parents. This includes income from various sources such as wages, salaries, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, and more.

      2.    Deductions: Certain allowable deductions are subtracted from each parent’s gross income, such as federal and state taxes, Social Security contributions, retirement contributions, and health insurance premiums.

      3.    Combined Income: The parents’ adjusted incomes are then combined to determine the total income available for supporting the child/children.

      4.    Basic Child Support Obligation: The North Carolina Child Support Guidelines provide a schedule that outlines the basic child support obligation based on the combined income and the number of children. This obligation is the base amount of child support that both parents are responsible for.

      5.    Proportional Share: Each parent’s share of the basic child support obligation is determined based on their percentage of the combined income.

      6.    Additional Expenses: In addition to the basic child support obligation, the parents’ share of additional child-related expenses, such as health insurance premiums, childcare costs, and certain extraordinary expenses, may be factored in.

      7.    Custody Arrangements: Child custody arrangements can affect child support calculations. The parent with primary physical custody (the custodial parent) typically receives child support payments from the non-custodial parent. The amount of time each parent spends with the child can impact the child support calculation.

      8.    Worksheet Calculation: To calculate child support, North Carolina uses a standardized worksheet that takes into account the parents’ incomes, the number of children, custody arrangements, and other relevant factors. The worksheet helps determine the appropriate child support amount.

It’s important to note that while the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines provide a formula for calculating child support, there may be specific circumstances that could result in deviations from the standard calculation. Additionally, child support calculations can be complex, and it’s advisable to consult with a family law attorney or use the official North Carolina Child Support Calculator to ensure accurate calculations based on your individual situation.

DISCLAIMER: Use of the Hager Law Office, PC web site (www.hagerlawoffice.com) does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the firm. The content on our website is provided for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the most current legal developments. Further, the content does not and is not intended to constitute specific legal advice. The facts relating to every situation are different and you should not act or refrain from acting based upon information provided in these materials without first consulting a licensed North Carolina attorney.