What is the new child support law in North Carolina?

Asked by: Dr. Kaycee Feeney  |  Last update: October 24, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (23 votes)

North Carolina Child Support Laws 2023 One modification is directly related to the current federal poverty level, $1150 per month. If a parent obligated to pay child support claims that he or she is too poor to pay, the court uses the base mark of $1150/monthly ($13,800/yearly) for 1 person.

What is the minimum child support in North Carolina?

The Child Support Guidelines require a minimum child support order of $50 per month.

Does child support increase if salary increases in North Carolina?

If you've lost your job or the other parent of your child just got a raise at work, you may be able to modify your child support order. However, the court doesn't usually modify child support simply due to an increase or decrease in income.

How to avoid child support in North Carolina?

Can You Seek to Stop Child Support in North Carolina?
  1. Your child is 18 and finished their high school education.
  2. Your child is 20 years of age or older.
  3. Your child is not living with their other parent whom you pay to support to.
  4. Your child lives with you a majority of the time.

Does dad have to pay child support with 50/50?

It seems logical that if your custody is shared, you each cover costs for the child when the child is with you. However, in California, custody and child support are two separate components, and one parent may be required to pay child support to the other even in a 50/50 arrangement.

Fact Check: Changes to child support in North Carolina

38 related questions found

Do you have to pay child support if you have 50/50 custody in NC?

Q: If the parents have 50/50 custody, can one parent be required to pay child support to the other parent? Yes. That answer may seem puzzling because the amount of physical custody can affect the amount of child support.

Do you get more child support if you have full custody?

Generally, sole physical custody is awarded to allow a child to live in one home most of the time, and continue to attend their local school. Where joint legal custody and sole physical custody exist together, the amount of child support due will not change.

Can parents agree to no child support NC?

Child support is not intended to be used as a bargaining tool in child custody cases. It is ordered for the benefit of the child involved, and so neither parent has the authority to decide that it is not necessary. Child support is often calculated based on the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines.

How do you get out of paying for child support?

If you want to stop paying child support legally, you must obtain a court order. You can apply to the court for a modification or termination of the payment by presenting any evidence of changes in your financial circumstances.

Does spouse income affect child support in NC?

If you have partial custody and pay child support, remarrying does not impact the amount of child support you are responsible for. Your new spouse is not financially responsible for any children you have from previous relationships. Furthermore, their income is not factored into the amount of child support you pay.

What not to say in child support court?

Don't Bash The Other Parent

Even if what you are saying is true, it is best to allow the courts to discover any undue behaviors on the part of parents during child custody hearings. Also, while refraining from making true claims about the other parent, it is not a good idea to make false defamatory claims against them.

Can back child support be forgiven in North Carolina?

In most cases, arrears cannot be forgiven in North Carolina. The only situation where arrears can be forgiven is if the custodial parent chooses to do so. The parent can do so through an order of the court or a negotiated consent order.

What are extraordinary expenses for child support in NC?

What are extraordinary expenses under the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines? The North Carolina Child Support Guidelines give examples of extraordinary expenses to include counseling, expenses for private school or special schools and transportation costs associated with travel.

Can you negotiate child support in NC?

If you were able to negotiate your original child support payment without the help of the court system, and you are on positive terms with the other parent, then you may be able to re-negotiate the amount of your child support.

What is the most money child support can take?

A: The most money child support can take in California is up to 60% of a person's wages if they are only responsible for one child. If they are responsible for two or more children, then up to 50% of their wages can be garnished. Wage garnishment can sometimes be mandated by a court order.

How far behind in child support before a warrant is issued in NC?

In North Carolina, there is no exact amount to how far behind someone gets in child support before they go to jail. The court looks at all the circumstances, but it's possible that they could put someone in jail for owing a small amount.

What is the biggest factor in calculating child support?

Parental Income

Both parents' gross income is a critical starting point. Income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, rental income, dividends, unemployment benefits, and more. Courts also consider non-monetary perks like housing or vehicles provided by an employer.

How often can child support be modified?

While the standard answer is that child support can be modified every three years, exceptions are made when there is a substantial change in circumstances. If you've experienced a significant change in your income or your child's needs, it may be worth exploring your options for an earlier modification.

How to protect income from child support?

How to Protect Your Business From Child Support
  1. Calculate Income Accurately. It may be tempting to hide income as a business owner. ...
  2. Maintain Proper Upkeep of Your Business. Typically, a business separates personal earnings and business earnings. ...
  3. Consider Your Custody Agreement. ...
  4. Speak With an Experienced Divorce Lawyer.

How much child support for 1 kid in NC?

There is no set amount of child support that is awarded in all cases. The amount of money in each child support payment will be primarily informed by each parent's income, so there is no flat “per child” rate. Each case will be different, and there is a massive variance in actual payment amounts.

At what age can a child refuse to see a parent in NC?

When Can a Child Refuse Visitation in North Carolina? As in most other states, children in North Carolina aren't allowed to refuse to visit a parent under an existing visitation order until they're legal adults (when they turn 18 or otherwise become legally emancipated).

What is the North Carolina law on child support?

Both parents are responsible for providing child support in North Carolina. However, only the non-custodial parent must make support payments if this parent has less than 123 overnights per year with the child.

Can you get full custody without the other parent knowing?

In California, you generally cannot get full custody without notifying the other parent. The court requires both parents to be informed and allowed to participate in custody proceedings unless there are extraordinary circumstances, such as concerns for the child's safety due to abuse or neglect.

Why do mothers get custody more than fathers?

Laws giving women preferential custody rights no longer exist. Judges have guidelines used to determine what is in the best interest of the children. The gender of the parent plays no part in their decision. Today's “knowledge” that courts prefer mothers stems from past generations and media sensationalism.

How much child support will I pay if I make $1000 a week?

Using a standard calculation, an individual earning $1,000 a week might pay around $250 per month for one child, though this figure can vary significantly based on specific circumstances and local county guidelines.