Child Support in Nevada: The Percentage Tiers, the 2026 Low-Income Schedule and Joint Custody
Nevada family law · Last reviewed October 27, 2026
Nevada's child support guidelines are regulations, not statutes: NAC Chapter 425, in effect since February 1, 2020. They set support as a percentage of the paying parent's gross monthly income, applied in three tiers. There's no maximum. The amount the guidelines produce is presumed to meet the child's basic needs, though either parent can rebut that.
The percentages
| Children | First $6,000 a month | $6,000.01 to $10,000 | Over $10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16% | 8% | 4% |
| 2 | 22% | 11% | 6% |
| 3 | 26% | 13% | 6% |
| 4 | 28% | 14% | 7% |
| Each additional child | add 2% | add 1% | add 0.5% |
Source: NAC 425.140. Each percentage applies only to the income in its band.
Examples, before any adjustment:
- One child, $4,000 a month: 16% of $4,000 = $640.
- Two children, $8,000 a month: 22% of $6,000 ($1,320) plus 11% of $2,000 ($220) = $1,540.
- One child, $12,000 a month: $960 plus $320 plus $80 = $1,360.
The low-income schedule
If "the total economic circumstances of an obligor limit his or her ability to pay" the regular amount, the court uses a low-income schedule based on the federal poverty guidelines (NAC 425.145). The Administrative Office of the Courts must publish it by March 31 each year.
The 2026 schedule runs from $998 a month (75% of the poverty level for one person, $1,330 a month) to $1,995 (150%). At the bottom row the amount is 66% of the regular percentage; it rises to the full percentage at the top.
| Monthly income up to | One child | Two children | Three children | Four children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $998 | $105 | $145 | $171 | $184 |
| $1,247 | $149 | $204 | $242 | $260 |
| $1,496 | $199 | $273 | $323 | $348 |
| $1,746 | $256 | $351 | $415 | $447 |
| $1,995 | $319 | $439 | $519 | $559 |
These are selected rows; the full table has 29 rows and columns for up to ten children. Below $998 the court sets an amount by balancing the parent's own need for self-support against the duty to support the child. There's no fixed minimum order.
What counts as income
Gross income under NAC 425.025 is broad: wages, including substantial and consistent overtime; interest and investment income; Social Security disability and retirement benefits; pensions; unemployment; workers' compensation that replaces wages; voluntary retirement contributions; military allowances and veterans' benefits; alimony received; and certain undistributed business income. It excludes child support received, foster care payments, SNAP, SSI and other public assistance.
A judge may impute income to a parent who is unemployed or underemployed without good cause, after looking at that parent's work history, skills, health, the local job market and other circumstances (NAC 425.125). Incarceration isn't treated as voluntary unemployment (NAC 425.155).
Primary, joint and split custody
- Primary physical custody: the other parent pays the guideline amount.
- Joint physical custody: each parent's amount is calculated, then offset, "so that the party with the higher child support obligation pays the other party the difference" (NAC 425.115). Example, one child: a parent earning $6,000 owes $960 and a parent earning $3,000 owes $480, so the first pays $480.
- Split custody (each parent has at least one of the children): each parent's amount is based on the children owed support, then offset the same way.
Child care, health insurance and adjustments
Child care. The court must divide reasonable child care costs equitably (NAC 425.130).
Medical support. Every order must provide for the child's medical support. Coverage is "reasonable in cost" when the premium is no more than 5 percent of the responsible parent's gross monthly income and the plan's overall costs are reasonable (NAC 425.135).
Adjustments. The court may adjust the amount, with specific findings, for the child's special educational needs, either parent's duty to support others, the value of services a parent contributes, public assistance paid for the child, travel costs for visitation, the relative income of both households, other necessary expenses, and the paying parent's ability to pay (NAC 425.150). Any departure from the guidelines must state the guideline amount (NAC 425.100).
Agreeing on a different amount
Parents can agree to support that differs from the guidelines, but only in writing. The agreement must state both incomes and the guideline amount, warn that any later review will use the guidelines, certify that the parent receiving support isn't on public assistance, and certify that the child's needs are met. The court must approve it and can reject it (NAC 425.110).
Changing and ending support
Changes require a change in circumstances (NAC 425.170). An incarceration of 180 days or more, or release from one, counts. The adoption of new guidelines alone does not.
Support ends when the child turns 18, or, if still in high school, at graduation or age 19, whichever comes first (NAC 425.160). An order covering several children without a separate amount for each continues until the youngest reaches that point unless a parent files a motion to modify; the order must say so.
The calculator and the agency
The Division of Welfare and Supportive Services runs Nevada's child support program and links a guidelines calculator from its child support guidelines page. A calculator gives a starting point; the judge applies the adjustments.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Nevada?
As a percentage of the paying parent's gross monthly income, in three bands. For one child it's 16% of the first $6,000, 8% of the next $4,000 and 4% of anything above $10,000.
Is there a cap on child support in Nevada?
No. Since February 1, 2020, the guidelines have had no maximum. Income over $10,000 a month is charged at the lowest percentage.
How much is child support for two children in Nevada?
22% of the first $6,000 of monthly gross income, 11% of the next $4,000 and 6% above $10,000, before adjustments.
How does joint custody affect child support in Nevada?
Each parent's amount is calculated and the two are offset; the parent with the higher amount pays the difference.
When does child support end in Nevada?
At 18, or at high school graduation or age 19, whichever comes first, if the child is still in high school.