Child Support in North Carolina: The Guidelines, the 2027 Changes, Shared Custody and When It Ends
North Carolina family law · Last reviewed October 23, 2026
North Carolina sets child support with presumptive guidelines adopted by the Conference of Chief District Court Judges under G.S. 50-13.4: "The court shall determine the amount of child support payments by applying the presumptive guidelines". The guidelines use an income-shares model, dividing the cost of raising the children between the parents by their incomes.
New guidelines are coming. The Conference adopted revised guidelines on October 7, 2026. "The revised guidelines take effect January 1, 2027, and apply to child support actions heard on or after that date." Cases heard before then use the 2023 guidelines.
The numbers, before and after January 1, 2027
| Item | 2023 guidelines (heard through Dec. 31, 2026) | 2027 guidelines (heard from Jan. 1, 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Top of the schedule | $40,000 a month combined ($480,000 a year) | $50,000 a month combined ($600,000 a year) |
| Self-support reserve | $1,133 a month (2022 poverty level) | $1,330 a month (2026 poverty level) |
| Minimum order | $50, for obligors with adjusted gross income under $1,150 | $100, for obligors with adjusted gross income under $1,600 |
| Primary custody (Worksheet A) | 243 or more nights a year with one parent | Same |
| Shared custody (Worksheet B) | At least 123 nights with each parent, and each pays expenses | Same |
| Next review | — | "The next review will occur during 2030." |
Above the ceiling, the court sets support case by case from the children's reasonable needs and the parents' ability to pay. Below the minimum-order line, the guidelines call for the minimum order absent a deviation.
How the number is built
- Each parent's income, generally gross income from all sources, with the adjustments the guidelines allow. If a parent's unemployment or underemployment is in bad faith, to avoid or minimize support, the court can use potential rather than actual income.
- The basic obligation comes from the schedule for the parents' combined income and the number of children. "The basic guideline support obligation includes $250 per child for the child’s annual uninsured medical and/or dental expenses."
- Add-ons: work-related child care and the cost of the child's health insurance are added and shared in proportion to income. Uninsured medical costs above $250 a year are divided as the court orders, and extraordinary expenses can be added.
- Each parent's share follows income.
Primary, shared and split custody
- Worksheet A, primary custody: "A parent (or third party) has primary physical custody of a child if the child lives with that parent (or custodian) for 243 nights or more during the year."
- Worksheet B, shared custody: "Parents share custody of a child if the child lives with each parent for at least 123 nights during the year and each parent assumes financial responsibility for the child’s expenses". Because two homes cost more, "the parents’ combined basic support obligation is increased by 50% (multiplied by 1.5)", then each parent's share is offset by time. Shared custody doesn't mean no support; the higher earner usually still pays.
- Worksheet C, split custody: each parent has primary custody of at least one child.
Deviating from the guidelines
"The court upon its own motion or upon motion of a party may deviate from the guidelines" if applying them would not meet, or would exceed, the children's reasonable needs, or would be unjust or inappropriate. The court must make written findings explaining the deviation.
Changing an order
An order can be modified on a showing of changed circumstances (G.S. 50-13.7). The guidelines add a shortcut: for an order at least three years old, a difference of 15% or more between the current order and the guideline amount is presumed to be a substantial change. Past-due payments can't be reduced; each "is vested when it accrues".
When support ends
"Payments ordered for the support of a child shall terminate when the child reaches the age of 18 except:" when the child is emancipated earlier, or when the child is still in school at 18, in which case "support payments shall continue until the child graduates, otherwise ceases to attend school on a regular basis, fails to make satisfactory academic progress towards graduation, or reaches age 20, whichever comes first". North Carolina law has no general duty to pay for college; a separation agreement can create one.
The calculator and the agency
NCDHHS runs the official child support calculator. It still shows the 2023 guidelines, and "This calculator provides an estimate and not a guaranteed amount of what you may receive or pay as support." For a case heard on or after January 1, 2027, the 2027 figures above apply.
NCDHHS Child Support Services can establish paternity and support, find a parent, and collect and enforce payments. Under G.S. 110-130.1 the application fee is $25, or $10 for an indigent applicant, and there's no fee for families receiving public assistance. "The CSS program is not authorized to help with custody, visitation or property settlements."
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in North Carolina?
With the income-shares guidelines: both parents' incomes, the schedule, add-ons for child care and health insurance, and the worksheet that matches your custody arrangement. The NCDHHS calculator gives an estimate.
What changes in North Carolina child support on January 1, 2027?
For cases heard from that date, the schedule ceiling rises to $50,000 a month in combined income, the self-support reserve to $1,330 a month, and the minimum order to $100 for obligors earning under $1,600 a month.
Does 50/50 custody mean no child support in North Carolina?
No. With at least 123 nights each, the shared-custody worksheet applies, and the parent with more income usually still pays.
When does child support end in North Carolina?
At 18, or later if the child is still in high school, but no later than 20. There's no general obligation to pay for college.
Can child support be changed in North Carolina?
Yes, on changed circumstances. For an order at least three years old, a 15% difference from the guideline amount is presumed to be enough.