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North Carolina Child Support Calculator (2026)

In North Carolina, child support is based on both parents' combined income and the number of children. The total is split between you based on how much each parent earns, and parenting time can change the amount. Use the free calculator below for an instant estimate.

How it's calculated
Both parents' income combined
Income used
Before-tax (gross)
Last updated
2023
Verified
2026-05-31

Source: NC Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4

Calculate Your North Carolina Child Support

Free estimate — official North Carolina guidelines

Include wages, salary, bonuses, and other income

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 $720 per month ($8,640 per year). This assumes the other parent earns approximately $36,000/year. Actual amounts depend on both parents' incomes, custody time, and add-on expenses (child care, health insurance).

$1,000/week ($52,000/year): approximately $670/month for 1 child.

North Carolina Child Support Estimates by Income (2026)

Annual Income 1 Child 2 Children 3 Children
$40,000/yr $583/mo $881/mo $1,056/mo
$50,000/yr $659/mo $992/mo $1,184/mo
$60,000/yr $720/mo $1,079/mo $1,284/mo
$70,000/yr $771/mo $1,146/mo $1,351/mo
$80,000/yr $849/mo $1,255/mo $1,473/mo
$100,000/yr $974/mo $1,441/mo $1,690/mo
$120,000/yr $1,097/mo $1,607/mo $1,866/mo

Estimates assume the other parent earns 60% of your income. Actual amounts vary. Compare all states →

How Child Support Is Calculated in North Carolina

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
Technical details and legal basis

North Carolina uses the Income Shares model (NC Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4) to calculate child support. This model combines both parents' incomes to determine the total obligation, then divides it proportionally based on each parent's share.

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 Calculation

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

Step 1: Combined income: $8,000

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

Step 3: Look up basic obligation for $8,000 combined and 2 children.

Step 4: Multiply by Parent A's share (62.5%).

Adjustments for health insurance, child care, and parenting time may apply.

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 $50/month at $1,300 combined income to $3,246/month at $40,000 combined monthly income (2023 schedule).
  • 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.

North Carolina Child Support FAQ

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 $40,000 per month (effective January 1, 2023). 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.
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.
Is this North Carolina child support calculator updated for 2026?
Yes. This calculator uses North Carolina's official guidelines schedule (AOC-A-162, Rev. 1/23), effective January 1, 2023 and still the current schedule under NC Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4. The figures were last verified against the official NC Courts publication on May 31, 2026.
How much is child support in North Carolina for 1 child?
It depends on the parents' combined gross monthly income. At $1,300 combined income, the basic obligation for 1 child is $50 per month. At $5,500 combined income it's $957 per month, and at $10,000 combined income it's $1,292 per month, based on North Carolina's 2023 guidelines schedule.
Does the North Carolina child support calculator include alimony or spousal support?
No, this calculator estimates child support only. Alimony, or spousal support, is decided separately by North Carolina courts using different factors, such as the length of the marriage and each spouse's earning capacity and needs.
What factors determine child support in North Carolina?
North Carolina bases child support on both parents' gross monthly incomes, the number of children, and work-related child care costs. Courts also factor in health insurance premiums for the children, extraordinary expenses like special education or travel for visitation, other child support obligations, and the parenting time arrangement.
What is North Carolina's self-support reserve for child support?
North Carolina sets its own self-support reserve of $13,596 per year, a figure specific to NC rather than one based on federal poverty guidelines. This reserve helps ensure a paying parent with very low income keeps enough to cover basic living expenses before the standard obligation applies.

About This Calculator

Uses the official NC Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4 (2023 guidelines). Last verified: 2026-05-31.

Disclaimer: Estimates only, not legal advice. Actual amounts are set by North Carolina courts. Full disclaimer.

Methodology: Income Shares model per NC Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4.

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