North Carolina child support at a glance
- Guideline model: Income shares
- Income used: Gross income, meaning income before deductions for taxes, Social Security or Medicare (NC Child Support Guidelines).
- High incomes: Under the current guidelines the schedule runs to $40,000 a month in combined gross income. Revised guidelines taking effect January 1, 2027 raise that limit to $50,000 a month; above it, the court decides support based on the child's reasonable needs.
- Shared parenting time: Under the current guidelines, parents share custody if the child lives with each parent at least 123 nights a year, which uses a shared-custody worksheet.
- When support ends: At 18; if the child is still in primary or secondary school, support continues until graduation, the child stops attending, or age 20, whichever comes first (G.S. 50-13.4(c)).
Official calculator or worksheet: NC child support guidelines and worksheets
This page explains the rules; it does not calculate an order. Health insurance, child care, other children and deviations change the result. Use the official tool and confirm with a family-law attorney licensed in North Carolina.