North Carolina Child Support
Estimate for North Carolina
North Carolina uses the Income Shares model.
North Carolina Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Paying parent income: $5,000.00/mo · Other parent: $4,000.00/mo · Overnights: 0/yr · Child care: $0.00/mo · Health ins.: $0.00/mo · Children: 2
This is an informal planning estimate, not a court worksheet and not legal advice. Confirm the current guideline with the state child-support agency or a licensed family-law attorney.
Official schedule: North Carolina Child Support Guidelines, Schedule of Basic Support Obligations (eff 2023-01-01) (2023)
View calculation breakdown
| Combined parental income | $9,000 |
|---|---|
| Total basic obligation (schedule) | $1,802 |
| Obligor income share | 55.6% |
| Obligor basic obligation | $1,001 |
| Estimated monthly support | $1,001 |
How the basic obligation splits between parents
Estimated monthly support by number of children
Typical amounts in North Carolina
| Scenario | Obligor income/mo | Other parent | Est. monthly support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower earner | $2,500 | $4,000/mo | $401/mo |
| Typical case | $5,500 | $4,000/mo | $724/mo |
| Higher earner | $9,000 | $4,000/mo | $1,060/mo |
North Carolina uses the income shares model on gross income. Your numbers will differ — run the calculator above with your own inputs. Estimates are educational, not a court order.
§ How North Carolina calculates support
North Carolina uses the Income Shares model under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4, based on each parent's GROSS monthly income (with pre-existing child-support orders subtracted to reach adjusted gross). The Conference of Chief District Court Judges publishes the Guidelines and a Schedule of Basic Support Obligations, reviewed at least every four years. Three worksheets apply by custody: Worksheet A (primary custody, CP has ≥243 overnights), Worksheet B (shared custody, each parent ≥123 overnights), and Worksheet C (split custody, each parent has primary custody of at least one child). The schedule covers combined income up to $40,000/month; above that the court decides case-by-case. The minimum obligation is $50/month.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case in North Carolina
- Apply for Child Support Services through NC Child Support Services (online at ncchildsupport.ncdhhs.gov, by mail, or at a local office); a $25 application fee generally applies (reduced to $10 below 100% federal poverty).
- Establish paternity if needed (Affidavit of Parentage or court-ordered genetic testing).
- Both parents provide income documentation (pay stubs, tax returns); the agency or court determines each parent's gross/adjusted income.
- Select the correct worksheet (A, B, or C) based on overnights and run it against the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations.
- Obtain a court order (through the county District Court) that sets the base amount plus health insurance and work-related childcare, allocated proportionally.
- Request modification later upon a substantial change in circumstances (e.g., income, custody, or child-needs change).
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: Parents' combined adjusted gross monthly income is $1,700 with one child. The NCP earns $1,000 (about 58.8%) and the CP earns $700 (about 41.2%). The CP has primary custody (≥243 overnights), so Worksheet A applies.
Walk-through: From the NC Schedule of Basic Support Obligations, combined adjusted income of $1,700 with one child is $309/month. The NCP pays 58.8% of that: 0.588 × $309 ≈ $182/month, plus their proportional share of add-ons.
Takeaway: The guideline amount is the presumptive obligation; each parent's share equals their share of combined income.
Scenario: Same two parents ($1,700 combined, 1 child). The child's health insurance is $150/month and work-related childcare is $300/month.
Walk-through: Base $309 + $150 insurance + $300 childcare = $759 total. The NCP (58.8%) owes 0.588 × $759 ≈ $446; the CP (41.2%) owes about $313, credited for amounts they pay directly. The NCP's cash payment to the CP is reduced by any insurance/childcare the NCP pays directly.
Takeaway: Health insurance and work-related childcare are added to the base and divided between parents in the same income proportions.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://ncchildsupport.ncdhhs.gov/ · http://dhhs.nc.gov/divisions/social-services/child-support-enforcement · https://legalclarity.org/how-north-carolina-child-support-is-calculated-and-enforced