NC child support changes take effect Jan. 1

Updated guidelines affect how courts calculate payments, but existing orders will not change automatically.

North Carolina’s updated child support guidelines take effect Jan. 1, 2027, changing how courts calculate payments based on parents’ incomes and the cost of raising children.

For families already paying or receiving support, the new guidelines do not automatically change an existing court order. A change requires court action.

The Conference of Chief District Court Judges approved the revisions Oct. 7 after reviewing economic data, recommendations from judges and attorneys, and public comments. The guidelines apply to child support cases heard on or after Jan. 1, the North Carolina Judicial Branch announced.

The revised payment schedule considers both parents’ incomes and the number of children needing support. The final calculation also depends on where the children live, child care expenses, health insurance and other costs.

Income generally means earnings before taxes and other paycheck deductions. Bonuses, commissions, severance payments and certain other income can count.

The revised guidelines clarify how judges may handle one-time payments. A court can spread that income over a period of time or require a portion to be paid as additional child support.

For parents who owe support and have adjusted gross income below $1,600 a month, the guidelines generally require a minimum payment of $100 a month. A judge may order a different amount when the evidence supports an exception.

The guidelines include an allowance intended to help low-income parents cover their own basic needs. However, the $100 minimum can still leave some parents below the federal poverty level.

Sharing custody does not necessarily eliminate child support. Even when children spend equal time with both parents, the parent with the higher income may owe support.

The updated schedule covers combined parental income of up to $50,000 a month, or $600,000 a year. Above that amount, judges determine support based on the child’s needs and the parents’ financial circumstances.

Parents seeking to change an existing order may qualify based on changed circumstances. Under the guidelines, when an order is at least three years old, a new calculation that differs by at least 15% is presumed to show a substantial change warranting modification. Other circumstances also may support a change.

Unpaid support remains owed. The new guidelines do not erase overdue payments.

North Carolina law requires the guidelines to be reviewed at least once every four years. The next review is scheduled for 2030.