North Carolina Child Support Calculator (2026)
North Carolina calculates child support under income-shares guidelines (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4(c), implemented by the N.C. Child Support Guidelines (AOC-A-162)). Estimate the guideline amount below.
Income basis: combined monthly gross income.
Enter the income above to see the guideline estimate.
Simplified guideline estimate, interpolated from the official schedule — before health-insurance, childcare, and parenting-time adjustments. For the exact figure use the official North Carolina calculator.
Your Case Details
Answer a few questions to see your estimated range.
Approximate gap between higher-earner and lower-earner.
Estimated Monthly Support
$840 — $1,560
State formulas vary significantly. This estimate uses national averages — your state's guidelines may produce a different number.
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology
Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
North Carolina uses the income-shares model: both parents' incomes are combined, the official schedule sets a basic support obligation, and each parent owes their proportional share (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4(c), implemented by the N.C. Child Support Guidelines (AOC-A-162)). The calculator above interpolates the official schedule for a quick estimate — health-insurance, child-care, and parenting-time adjustments come on top.
How North Carolina Calculates Child Support
North Carolina uses the income shares model: the parents' combined monthly gross (adjusted) income determines a basic support obligation from the state's Schedule of Basic Support Obligations, which is then prorated between the parents based on each parent's share of that combined income. Child care costs and health insurance premiums are added to the basic obligation and prorated the same way. The correct worksheet (A, B, or C) is selected based on the custody/overnight arrangement.
Statutory basis: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4(c), implemented by the N.C. Child Support Guidelines (AOC-A-162). Exact figure: official North Carolina calculator.
Official Schedule — Excerpt
Basic support obligation at selected combined incomes (combined monthly gross income), from the official North Carolina schedule:
| Combined income | 1 child | 2 children | 3 children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | $566 | $863 | $1,043 |
| $5,000 | $896 | $1,349 | $1,619 |
| $7,500 | $1,109 | $1,655 | $1,959 |
| $10,000 | $1,292 | $1,913 | $2,247 |
Worked Example
Worksheet A example (primary custody): combined adjusted gross income $5,000/month (custodial parent $3,000, paying parent $2,000), 2 children. Schedule amount for 2 children at $5,000 = $1,349/month. The paying parent's income share is $2,000 / $5,000 = 40%, so the presumptive obligation is $1,349 × 0.40 ≈ $540/month — before child-care and health-insurance add-ons, which are added to the basic obligation and prorated the same way.
When Courts Deviate From the Guideline
- Uninsured medical, dental, or health-care expenses for a child exceeding $250/year, when incurred by a parent
- Reasonable child care costs not related to employment or job search (e.g., care while the custodial parent attends school)
- Extraordinary child-related expenses, such as private school to meet a child's particular educational needs, or transporting the child between the parents' homes
- A parent's existing support obligations for two or more other families
- Disproportionate payment of costs by one parent — e.g., paying 100% of the health-insurance premium on top of the full guideline amount
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Worksheet A and Worksheet B in North Carolina?
Worksheet A applies when one parent has primary physical custody — 243 or more overnights per year. Worksheet B applies when parents share custody, meaning each has the child at least 123 nights per year and covers the child's expenses during that time; under Worksheet B the combined basic obligation is multiplied by 1.5 before being split by income and overnights.
What counts as shared custody for the 123-overnight threshold?
The child must live with each parent at least 123 nights during the year AND each parent must assume financial responsibility for the child's expenses during that time. Joint legal custody alone does not qualify — a parent with fewer than 123 overnights does not get Worksheet B treatment.
Is there an income cap on North Carolina's child support schedule?
Yes — the schedule stops at $40,000/month combined adjusted gross income ($480,000/year). Above it, courts set support from the child's reasonable needs and the parents' financial circumstances rather than the table.
What is the minimum child support order in North Carolina?
For paying parents with adjusted gross income below $1,150/month, the guidelines presume a minimum order of $50/month absent a deviation. The schedule's shaded low-income area then phases the full obligation in as income rises, preserving a self-support reserve at the federal poverty level.
Can a North Carolina court deviate from the guideline amount?
Yes — the guidelines are a rebuttable presumption. On motion or its own initiative, a court may deviate if the guideline amount would not meet, or would exceed, the child's reasonable needs, or would otherwise be unjust. Deviations require written findings stating the guideline amount, the child's needs, and the basis for the different figure.