North Carolina calculates child support using a formula, not a fixed dollar amount

North Carolina does not have a set payment amount for two children. Instead, the state uses the Income Shares Model, which means the court calculates support based on both parents' gross monthly income. The formula divides the cost of raising children between parents in proportion to what each parent earns.

The actual payment depends on how much each parent makes, how much time each parent spends with the children, and whether either parent pays for health insurance or childcare. Two families with two children can have very different support orders even if they live in the same county.

North Carolina publishes child support guidelines that show the percentage of combined parental income that goes toward child support. For two children, the guideline amount is typically 16 percent of the parents' combined gross income, but this is a starting point — the court can adjust it based on the specific circumstances of your case.

Key Takeaways

  • North Carolina uses a formula based on both parents' gross income, not a flat rate, so the amount varies from case to case.
  • The guideline percentage for two children is 16 percent of combined parental income, but courts can order more or less depending on custody time and other factors.
  • The paying parent's income, the receiving parent's income, and how much time each parent has with the children all affect the final amount.
  • Child support orders are reviewed every three years or when a parent's income changes by 15 percent or more.

How the income formula works in practice

To understand what you might owe or receive, you need to know the combined gross monthly income of both parents. Gross income includes wages, salary, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, and some benefits — but not food stamps or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).

Once the court knows the combined income, it applies the 16 percent guideline for two children. For example, if both parents together earn $5,000 per month gross, the guideline child support amount would be $800 per month. The court then divides this between the parents based on their individual income shares.

If one parent earns $3,000 and the other earns $2,000, the higher-earning parent pays 60 percent of the $800 guideline amount, or $480 per month. The lower-earning parent would pay 40 percent, or $320 per month — but usually only the non-custodial parent (the one without primary custody) actually pays.

Adjustments that change the amount

The guideline amount is a starting point. North Carolina courts can order more or less than the guideline based on several factors. If one parent has the children more than 123 overnights per year (roughly 34 percent of the time), the formula adjusts because that parent has higher direct costs.

If the paying parent pays for health insurance for the children, that cost is deducted from their income before the percentage is applied. Childcare costs — such as daycare or after-school programs needed so a parent can work — also reduce the income used in the calculation.

The court can also deviate from the guideline if it finds the amount would be unjust or inappropriate. Reasons include a child with special needs, a parent's other child support obligations, or a parent's very high or very low income. The judge must write an explanation if they order an amount different from the guideline.

What income counts and what does not

Gross income for child support includes W-2 wages, 1099 self-employment income, business net income, rental income, interest and dividend income, Social Security benefits (except SSI), unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, and military allowances. It also includes bonuses and commissions if they are regular and recurring.

Income that does not count includes Supplemental Security Income (SSI), TANF, food stamps, and child support or alimony received from another relationship. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may "impute" income — meaning it assigns an income level based on what the parent could earn — but this requires evidence that the parent deliberately reduced earnings to avoid support.

How custody time affects the amount

If both parents share custody roughly equally, the calculation changes. North Carolina uses a "shared custody" adjustment when each parent has the children at least 123 overnights per year. In this situation, both parents' support obligations are reduced because each is directly spending money on the children during their time.

The more time the non-paying parent has, the lower their support obligation becomes. If a parent has the children 50 percent of the time, the guideline amount is reduced by roughly 50 percent compared to a case where one parent has primary custody and the other has minimal time.

When and how child support orders are reviewed

A child support order does not stay the same forever. North Carolina law requires a review every three years, even if neither parent requests one. Either parent can also request a review if their income has changed by 15 percent or more, or if there has been a substantial change in custody.

To request a review, contact the North Carolina Division of Social Services child support enforcement office in your county, or file a motion with the court. If you have a private agreement (not court-ordered), you can modify it by going to court and asking the judge to enter a new order.

When an order is reviewed, the court recalculates using current income and current custody arrangements. If the new guideline amount is at least 10 percent different from the current order, the court will usually modify it. This protects both parents if circumstances change significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a maximum child support amount in North Carolina?

North Carolina has a cap on the income used in the guideline calculation. As of 2024, the cap is $30,000 per month in combined parental income, though this amount adjusts periodically. Income above the cap can still be considered by the court, but the judge has discretion on how much of it to include in the order.

What if one parent does not have a job or report income?

The court can impute income based on the parent's education, work history, and earning capacity. If a parent is deliberately not working to avoid support, the judge may assign income at the minimum wage level or higher. You will need to present evidence of the parent's ability to earn, such as past tax returns or job listings for similar positions.

Does child support end at age 18 in North Carolina?

Child support typically ends when a child turns 18, unless the child is still in high school. If a child is enrolled in high school at age 18, support continues until the child graduates or turns 19, whichever comes first. Support also ends if a child becomes emancipated, joins the military, or marries.

Can I get child support if we never married?

Yes. North Carolina allows child support orders whether or not the parents were married. You can file for support through the District Court or through the child support enforcement office. You will need to establish paternity first if the father is not on the birth certificate.

What happens if the paying parent loses their job?

A job loss does not automatically stop child support, but it is grounds to request a modification. You must file a motion with the court and show that the income loss is involuntary and substantial. The court will recalculate based on your current income or imputed income if you are not actively seeking work.