How is child support determined in North Carolina?

When determining child support in North Carolina, the state court system attempts to have both parents come to an agreement on the amount of child support the non-custodial parent will pay, and on whether the payment will be made on a weekly or monthly basis. That’s not to say that the state doesn’t have any policies regarding the determination of the amount of support a non-custodial parent will pay to a custodial parent, but every attempt is made for the two people to be able to settle the issue outside of a court room. When the two parents are unable to come to any sort of agreement on either who should pay or how much should be paid, however, the state will intervene and use its own statutory guidelines in determining an order for support.  

• First, the income of the non-custodial parent and the custodial parent are compared, and the ability for the non-custodial parent to pay any type of support order is established. 
• Next, the court will review any expenses that may be required for the dependent child or children, including medical costs, or extended costs in cases where a child is afflicted with any type of disability. 
• Educational costs as well as general costs of living are all taken into consideration, and a weekly or monthly rate is applied according to each of these factors.

If you are separating from your child's other parent in North Carolina, it is important to get legal help when child support is determined in order to make sure that you and your child are treated fairly.