North Carolina Child Support Calculator

Estimate North Carolina child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4; AOC Child Support Guidelines. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

North Carolina follows the Income Shares model under the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that income level and number of children, then prorates the obligation between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of the combined income.

North Carolina uses a shared-care formula tied to overnights. When each parent has the child for at least 123 overnights a year, the court switches from Worksheet A (primary custody) to Worksheet B (shared custody), which adjusts the basic obligation for the time each parent spends with the child. With fewer than 123 overnights for one parent, Worksheet A applies and parenting time does not change the formula. Worksheet C handles split custody where each parent has primary care of at least one child.

The cost of the child's health insurance premium is treated as an adjustment in the North Carolina guideline calculation. The parent who pays the premium gets credit for it, and the expense is factored into the support worksheet and shared between the parents in proportion to their share of combined income. This add-on is built into Worksheets A, B, and C rather than left to the parents to settle separately.

Work-related child care, such as daycare a parent needs in order to work, is an add-on in the North Carolina guideline worksheet. The reasonable cost is added to the basic support obligation and divided between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of combined income. Because it is built into the worksheet, it raises the support number rather than being handled informally between the parents.

North Carolina judges normally must follow the guideline amount because it is presumed correct. A judge may deviate when applying the guideline would not meet the reasonable needs of the child or would be unjust or inappropriate given the circumstances. The parent asking for a different number carries the burden to show that, and the court must put written findings in the order explaining why it departed from the guideline figure.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in North Carolina?

North Carolina uses the Income Shares model under the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines and N.C. Gen. Stat. section 50-13.4. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that income level and number of children, then prorates it between the parents by each parent's percentage share of the combined income. Adjustments for health insurance, child care, and extraordinary expenses are added in. The on-page calculator here gives an estimate only and is not legal advice. The official worksheet and a licensed North Carolina attorney control the final number.

Is there an official North Carolina child support worksheet I should use?

Yes. North Carolina has official guideline worksheets administered through the courts, and the worksheet is the controlling form for your case, not any estimate tool. Worksheet A is used in primary custody, Worksheet B in shared custody where each parent has at least 123 overnights a year, and Worksheet C in split custody. The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts publishes the guidelines and an official calculator at the state child support site. Our calculator helps you preview a likely range, but you should run the official worksheet and confirm with a licensed attorney before relying on a number.

What income counts when North Carolina figures child support?

North Carolina starts from gross income from almost any source. That includes wages, self-employment, severance, pensions, retirement, Social Security, workers' compensation, unemployment, and recurring gifts. For a self-employed parent, income is figured net of reasonable business expenses, so legitimate costs of running the business come off the top before the number goes on the worksheet. Both parents' monthly gross incomes are combined, and the basic obligation is split by each parent's share of that combined total. Because the guideline relies on accurate income figures, gather pay records and tax returns before you trust any estimate from this page.

How do shared custody and 50/50 parenting change child support in North Carolina?

Parenting time matters once each parent reaches at least 123 overnights with the child in a year. At that point North Carolina switches from Worksheet A to Worksheet B, the shared custody worksheet, which adjusts the basic obligation to reflect the time the child spends in each home. A near 50/50 schedule almost always triggers Worksheet B. This usually lowers the obligation for the higher-earning parent compared with primary custody, but it rarely zeroes it out, because the Income Shares formula still accounts for the income gap between the parents. Run the official worksheet to see the actual effect in your case.

When does child support end in North Carolina?

North Carolina child support generally ends when the child turns 18. It can continue to age 20 if the child is still in primary or secondary school and is making satisfactory progress toward graduation. Support for a disabled adult child may continue beyond that. Keep in mind that support does not automatically stop on its own in every situation, and any arrears, meaning past-due support, survive even after the ongoing obligation ends. If you are unsure when your obligation terminates, check the order and confirm with North Carolina Child Support Services or a licensed attorney.

Can I change my North Carolina child support order if my situation changes?

Yes. You can file a motion in district court or request a review through North Carolina Child Support Services. North Carolina will consider modifying an order when there is a 15 percent variance between the existing order and a fresh guideline calculation, or when there is any substantial change in circumstances, such as a major income shift or a change in custody. The change must be ongoing, not a short-term blip. Until a court enters a new order, the current amount stays in force, so file promptly. The estimate here can help you see whether a 15 percent gap may exist, but the official worksheet controls.

How does North Carolina enforce a child support order?

North Carolina Child Support Services, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, has strong enforcement tools. These include immediate income withholding from a paycheck, intercepting tax refunds, suspending driver and professional licenses, filing liens, reporting to credit bureaus, and referring a parent for contempt of court. Because most orders use automatic income withholding from the start, payments often come directly out of wages. If the other parent lives in a different state, North Carolina works with that state under the interstate enforcement system to collect. Falling behind creates arrears that keep accruing, so address payment problems early rather than waiting.