North Carolina Child Support Calculator

Estimate NC child support using the §50-13.4 income shares model. Covers Worksheet A (primary custody) and Worksheet B (shared 123+ overnights) with health insurance and childcare add-ons.

Updated April 2026 N.C.G.S. §50-13.4 Private — runs in your browser

NCP Monthly Gross Income

Custodial Parent Monthly Gross

Number of Children

NC Basic Child Support (Worksheet A)

$925/mo

Combined Gross Income$10,000/mo

Basic Support Schedule$1,541/mo

NCP Income Share60.0%

NC uses the Income Shares model under §50-13.4. Combined gross income determines the basic support obligation, then each parent pays their proportional share.

Advanced Calculator

NC §50-13.4 income shares schedule, overnights vs. support line chart with 123-night threshold, Worksheet B comparison table, and 10-year projection.

+ Open Advanced Calculator

NC §50-13.4 Inputs

NCP Monthly Gross

CP Monthly Gross

Children

NCP Annual Overnights

nights

NC Income Shares Result

$925/mo base

Basic Support Schedule$1,541/mo

NCP Income Share60.0%

Worksheet B AppliedNo (Worksheet A)

NCP Overnights/Year vs. Monthly Support

Health Insurance/mo

Work Childcare/mo

Total with Add-Ons

Base support: $925/mo

Health ins. (60% share): +$150/mo

Childcare (60% share): +$270/mo

Total: $1,345/mo

Professional Simulator

Full §50-13.4 worksheet with itemized income (W-2, SE, bonuses, rental), health insurance, childcare and extraordinary expense add-ons, retroactive support, what-if scenarios, and 20-year lifetime projection.

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NCP Income — Total: $80,000/yr

W-2 / Salary

Self-Employment

Bonuses

Rental Income

CP Income — Total: $45,000/yr

W-2 / Salary

Self-Employment

Custody, Add-Ons & Retroactive

Children

NCP Annual Overnights

nights

Health Insurance/mo

Work Childcare/mo

Extraordinary Expenses/mo

Retroactive Months

mos

NC §50-13.4 Professional Analysis

$1,706/mo

NCP After-Tax

Gross: $80,000/yr

Federal tax: −$9,302

SE tax: −$1,413

Net after CS: $4,068/mo

Support Components

Base support: $1,258/mo

Health ins.: +$160/mo

Childcare: +$288/mo

Total: $1,706/mo

How North Carolina Child Support Works

North Carolina calculates child support under N.C. Gen. Stat. §50-13.4 using the Income Shares model. Both parents' gross incomes are combined to determine the basic child support obligation from the NC Schedule. Each parent then pays their proportional share based on income.

Worksheet A vs. Worksheet B

NC uses two worksheets. Worksheet A applies when one parent has primary custody (less than 123 overnights for the other parent). Worksheet B applies when both parents share physical custody — defined as the non-custodial parent having 123 or more overnights per year (roughly one-third of the year).

NC Add-Ons

The basic support from the schedule is adjusted by adding:

Health insurance premiums for the children (allocated proportionally)
Work-related childcare costs (proportional allocation)
Extraordinary expenses — uninsured medical costs, education expenses, and special activities over a threshold

Worksheet B — Shared Custody Formula

When 123+ overnights apply, NC doubles the basic support obligation, then calculates each parent's obligation on the time the other parent has the children. The difference between the two obligations becomes the transfer payment.

Combined Gross → NC Schedule → Basic Support
NCP Obligation (Wksht A) = Basic Support × (NCP Gross ÷ Combined Gross)

Worksheet B (123+ nights):
Adjusted Support = Basic Support × 2
Transfer = |NCP% × Adj × NCP time% − CP% × Adj × CP time%|

Worked Example — Worksheet A

Dad (NCP): $6,000/mo gross. Mom: $4,000/mo gross. Two children. 60 overnights (NCP).

Combined Gross$10,000/mo

Basic Support Schedule~$1,541/mo

Dad's Income Share60%

Dad's Base Obligation$925/mo

+ Health & Childcare Add-Ons+$420/mo

Total Monthly Support$1,345/mo

Official Sources & Legal References

Frequently Asked Questions

When does North Carolina use Worksheet B for child support? ▼

North Carolina uses Worksheet B when the secondary custodial parent has the children for 123 or more overnights per year. This equals approximately one-third of the year. When this threshold is met, the formula doubles the basic support amount and then calculates each parent's obligation on the time the other parent has custody. The difference is the transfer payment.

How does NC define gross income for child support? ▼

North Carolina uses gross income before taxes. This includes wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, Social Security benefits (including disability), pension and retirement income, investment income, and alimony received from a prior relationship. Courts may impute income to voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parents based on work history, education, and earning capacity.

What extraordinary expenses can be added to NC child support? ▼

North Carolina allows extraordinary expenses to be added to the basic support obligation. These include uninsured medical, dental, and vision expenses exceeding $250 per year per child; tuition and fees for private or special education; transportation costs for custody exchanges over a long distance; and certain extracurricular activity costs when agreed upon by both parents. These are allocated proportionally by income share.

Can NC child support be modified? ▼

Yes. North Carolina allows modification when there is a substantial change in circumstances. A change in either parent's income of 15% or more typically qualifies. Changes in custody arrangements, healthcare costs, childcare expenses, or a child reaching majority can also support modification. Either parent may file a motion to modify. The court recalculates support using current incomes and the current NC Schedule.

How long does NC child support last? ▼

North Carolina child support continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later — but not beyond age 20. If a child is still enrolled in high school at age 18, support continues through graduation or age 20. Support can also end earlier if the child becomes emancipated, marries, or joins the military. Courts can order support beyond 18 for a child with a disability.

When to Consult a North Carolina Family Law Attorney

Consult an attorney if your case involves: overnights near the 123-night Worksheet B threshold requiring court determination, extraordinary expenses (private school, special needs) disputed between parents, modification requests requiring proof of 15%+ income change, or cross-county or interstate jurisdiction issues under UIFSA.