How it works · official guideline
How child support is calculated in North Carolina
North Carolina courts must apply statewide presumptive child support guidelines adopted by the Conference of Chief District Judges, and may vary from them only on findings that the guideline amount would not meet or would exceed the child’s reasonable needs or would otherwise be unjust or inappropriate. The guidelines themselves are published by the Administrative Office of the Courts.[1]
North Carolina’s model
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No official calculator confirmed yet
Read the guideline: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4(c)The state child support agency or your court clerk can run the official numbers.
Why no calculator here? We publish a calculator only after it reproduces the state’s official numbers exactly. We haven’t matched North Carolina’s yet.
From the official text
The rules behind North Carolina’s numbers
The guideline is N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4(c). Open each rule to read the exact words.
- Departing from the guideline
Court may vary from the guidelines with findings
On request, the court hears evidence and may depart from the guidelines if they would not meet or would exceed the child’s reasonable needs or would be unjust or inappropriate, and must state its findings.[1]
Official text · N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4(c)
“If the court orders an amount other than the amount determined by application of the presumptive guidelines, the court shall make findings of fact as to the criteria that justify varying from the guidelines and the basis for the amount ordered.”
- Review cycle
Guidelines reviewed at least every four years
The Conference of Chief District Judges must review the guidelines at least once every four years.[1]
Official text · N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4(c1)
“Periodically, but at least once every four years, the Conference of Chief District Judges shall review the guidelines to determine whether their application results in appropriate child support award amounts.”
- Shared parenting time
Guidelines must include a joint/shared custody procedure
The statute requires the guidelines to include a procedure for setting support in joint or shared custody arrangements (the threshold itself is in the guidelines, not read).[1]
Official text · N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4(c1)
“The guidelines shall include a procedure for setting child support, if any, in a joint or shared custody arrangement which shall reflect the other statutory requirements herein.”
Guideline: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4(c) (North Carolina General Assembly), checked October 26, 2026.
Estimate and general information only — not legal advice. MediationList is a directory, not a law firm, and doesn’t endorse any mediator. Guidelines change; confirm with the state child support agency or your court (sources checked October 26, 2026). See also divorce laws in North Carolina and child support in every state.
Sources
North Carolina’s child support guideline, rules and official tools, read on the official sites, with the date we checked each.