Child Support

If you have minor children and are separated from the other parent, then it is imperative you speak to an child support lawyer to ensure your children have a stable and financial future.  This continued obligation to provide for your children is called child support. Depending on factors such as overnights with the children, income of the parents, and other costs associated with the care of the children, child support can vary greatly from case to case.

Child Support Guidelines

Both parents have a responsibility to provide financial support for their children. If you and your child reside primarily in North Carolina, and you and the other parent’s adjusted gross income is less than $300,000, the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines will help you determine the amount of child support to be paid or received.

The guidelines are determined by the gross income of both parents per month, the amount of health, dental, and/or vision insurance that is paid for the child per month, the amount of work-related child care that each parent pays for per month, other extraordinary expenses and the number of overnights the children are with each parent. Once these figures are entered on the child support worksheet, the child support calculator will determine the amount of monthly child support to be paid. The child support calculators provide basic support amounts. It is important that you talk with a family law attorney who has experience in child support matters to see if you have any special facts and circumstances that could reduce or increase the basic amount. The attorneys with New Direction Family Law, have that experience.

Other issues concerning Child Support

Deviation from the Guidelines

If both parents combined gross income totals more than $300,000.00 or if the guideline recommended amount is more or less than what the child actually needs, it is possible to deviate from the guidelines.  If you have questions as to whether or not your case falls on the guidelines or if you can deviate from the guidelines recommended amount, contact our attorneys today to schedule a consultation.

Retroactive Support

Depending on the facts of your case, it may be possible to seek reimbursement to a parent for expenses incurred on behalf of a child up to three years prior to filing an initial action for child support.

Modification of Child Support

An order for child support may be modified by a North Carolina judge if one or more of these situations occur:

  1. Your child support order is more than three years old and there is a 15% change in support previous ordered and the recommended guideline amount now;
  2. A substantial involuntary decrease in the income of one or both of the parties;
  3. A substantial change in the needs of a child (e.g., medical needs, educational needs, daycare, etc.); or
  4. A significant change in the custody schedule of the child.

If you are concerned about how you are going to financially support your children now that you are separated, please contact our office today to schedule a comprehensive consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.  North Carolina law advocates for the financial support of your children and speaking with a New Direction Family Law attorney will ensure you have the information you need to understand your rights as it relates to child support.

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