Child Support in North Carolina

Do I have to pay child support?

If you are the non-custodial parent, yes. Both parents are required to share the financial responsibility to support their child/children. It is important to pay child support, even if a legal agreement or court order does not currently exist. If child support is not paid, the courts can require you to pay child support retroactively.

How do I determine the amount of child support I should pay or receive?

The North Carolina Child Support Guidelines include three separate worksheets to help determine a party’s child support obligation. These worksheets vary depending on visitation levels: Worksheet A is used when the non-custodial parent has less than 123 overnights per year; Worksheet B is used when the non-custodial parent has more than 123 overnights with the children; and Worksheet C is used for split custody, or when each parent has one or more children with him or her primarily.

The North Carolina Child Support Guidelines calculate the monthly obligation by using each parent’s gross income. Extra expenses such as work-related child care costs, health insurance and extraordinary expenses (e.g. orthodontia) are also added into the equation. The guidelines are presumptive, and, in certain instances, the guideline amount may be less or more than the amount a party should be paying.

How do I demand child support? How do I pay child support?

Child support may be paid through an agreement between the parties or through order of the court. To obtain a court order, a complaint for child support must be filed.  You should always keep receipts of all payments made to the other parent.

Do I have to pay child support if the other parent won’t let me see the child?

Yes. Child support is a completely separate issue from child visitation. You must continue to pay child support even if you are prevented from seeing your child. By the same token, the other parent must continue to allow you to see your child even if you have failed to pay child support. If the other parent refuses to let you see your child, you may have to file a court action for visitation.

How long do I have to pay child support if I don’t have custody?

Child support payments are typically paid until that child graduates from high school or reaches age 18, whichever occurs later. Child support payments may be extended until age 20 if a child is making successful progress toward the completion of a high school degree.

Are child support payments tax deductible?

No.

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