North Carolina Child Support Calculator (2026)

Estimate your child support payments in North Carolina using our free calculator based on the official NC Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4. Enter your income details below to get an instant estimate.

North Carolina Child Support Calculator

Based on North Carolina's 2024 NC Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4

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This is an estimate only. See our full disclaimer.

Key Facts: Child Support in North Carolina

  • North Carolina uses the Income Shares model, meaning child support is based on both parents' combined gross income.
  • The basic child support obligation for 1 child ranges from approximately $100/month at $1,050 combined income to $1,483/month at $25,000 combined monthly income.
  • Each parent pays their proportional share of the total obligation based on their percentage of the combined income.
  • North Carolina uses separate worksheets for primary custody (Worksheet A), shared custody (Worksheet B), and split custody (Worksheet C).
  • Adjustments are made for health insurance, work-related child care costs, and extraordinary expenses for the children.

Source: NC Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4 • Last verified: 2026-05-30

How Much Is Child Support in North Carolina?

If you make $60,000 a year in North Carolina, child support for 1 child is estimated at $518 per month ($6,216 per year) based on the NC Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4. This assumes the other parent earns approximately $36,000/year. Actual amounts depend on both parents' incomes, custody arrangements, and additional expenses.

If you make $1,000 a week ($52,000/year) in North Carolina, child support for 1 child is approximately $476/month.

North Carolina Child Support Estimates by Income (2026)

Annual Income 1 Child 2 Children 3 Children
$40,000/yr $404/mo $561/mo $662/mo
$50,000/yr $464/mo $645/mo $762/mo
$60,000/yr $518/mo $719/mo $851/mo
$70,000/yr $564/mo $786/mo $930/mo
$80,000/yr $607/mo $846/mo $1,002/mo
$100,000/yr $682/mo $954/mo $1,131/mo
$120,000/yr $746/mo $1,045/mo $1,241/mo

Estimates assume the other parent earns 60% of your income. Actual amounts vary based on both parents' incomes, custody time, and adjustments. Compare all states →

How Child Support Is Calculated in North Carolina

North Carolina uses the Income Shares model to calculate child support obligations. This model combines both parents' incomes to determine the total child support obligation, then divides it proportionally based on each parent's share of the combined income.

Factors That Affect Child Support in North Carolina

Both parents' gross monthly incomes
Number of children
Work-related child care costs
Health insurance premiums for the children
Extraordinary expenses (e.g., special education, travel for visitation)
Other child support obligations
Parenting time arrangement
Child's special needs or educational requirements

Important Notes for North Carolina

  • North Carolina uses the Income Shares model, combining both parents' gross incomes to determine the total child support obligation.
  • Each parent's share is proportional to their percentage of the combined gross income.
  • Adjustments are made for work-related child care costs, health insurance premiums for the children, and extraordinary expenses.
  • North Carolina courts may deviate from guidelines if applying them would not meet the reasonable needs of the child or would be unjust.

Example Child Support Calculation in North Carolina

Scenario: Parent A earns $5,000/month, Parent B earns $3,000/month, 2 children.

Step 1: Combined monthly income: $5,000 + $3,000 = $8,000

Step 2: Parent A's income share: $5,000 / $8,000 = 62.5%

Step 3: Look up basic obligation from the guidelines schedule for $8,000 combined income and 2 children.

Step 4: Multiply the basic obligation by Parent A's share (62.5%) to determine their payment.

Note: Additional adjustments for health insurance, child care, and parenting time may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina Child Support

How is child support calculated in North Carolina?
North Carolina uses the Income Shares model. Both parents' gross incomes are combined, and a basic child support obligation is determined from the state guidelines schedule. Each parent pays their proportional share based on their percentage of the combined income. Adjustments are made for health insurance, child care costs, and extraordinary expenses.
What income is used for child support in North Carolina?
North Carolina uses gross income from all sources, including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, retirement benefits, and Social Security benefits. The court may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.
How does shared custody affect child support in North Carolina?
When each parent has the child for at least 123 overnights per year (approximately 33% of the time), North Carolina applies Worksheet B for shared custody. This worksheet accounts for the time each parent spends with the child and adjusts the support obligation accordingly to reflect the direct costs each parent incurs.
What is the maximum child support in North Carolina?
The North Carolina guidelines schedule covers combined gross incomes up to $25,000 per month. For incomes above this amount, the court has discretion to set support based on the needs of the child and the parents' ability to pay. There is no statutory cap, but the schedule provides a framework for most income levels.
How long does child support last in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, child support typically continues until the child turns 18, or until age 20 if the child is still in secondary school and has not yet graduated. Support may terminate earlier if the child marries, becomes emancipated, or enlists in the military.

About This Calculator

This calculator uses the official NC Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4 (2024 guidelines) to estimate child support in North Carolina. Calculations were last verified against the official source on 2026-05-30.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only and does not constitute legal advice. Actual child support amounts are determined by North Carolina courts and may differ based on factors not included here. For legal advice, consult a North Carolina family law attorney.

Our methodology: Based on the Income Shares model as defined in the NC Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4. Updated for 2026.

Child Support Calculators for Other States

Alabama Income Shares model Alaska Percentage of Income model Arizona Income Shares model Arkansas Income Shares model California Algebraic Formula (§ 4055) model Colorado Income Shares model

View all 50 state calculators →