Child Support
How do I get child support in North Carolina?
At first glance, child support might seem like a clear-cut issue. After all, North Carolina has uniform guidelines for determining child support obligations.
But there are many questions that can arise when it comes to child support obligations, and there are situations where judges will deviate from the support guidelines. For example, some parents may want to include things like private school or college tuition in their agreement, while others may be more concerned about support for a child with disabilities or other special needs. In other cases, one parent may be faced with the difficult situation of the other parent failing to make their child support payments … or wondering what to do if they lose their job and can’t make those payments.
The articles in this section will provide an overview of child support guidelines in North Carolina, as well as guidance for a number of common situations that parents face in regard to child support.
What You Need to Know About Child Support in North Carolina
Under North Carolina law, both parents certainly have the responsibility of providing support for their minor children in any number of ways – emotionally, physically, and financially. For the most part, parents want to, and do try their best to provide for these...
Modifying Child Support in North Carolina
While all of us are very different, one thing that most of can agree upon is that more than almost anything, we love our children and want to provide for them. While North Carolina law does, of course, place the responsibility on parents to provide for their...
If I have joint custody, do I still have to pay child support?
The short answer is, yes. Although you may have joint custody of your child, child support is an obligation that one parent will inevitably have to pay, specifically so, if one parent makes a higher income than the other or if the child is one with one parent more...
Extraordinary Expenses Beyond Child Support – Who Pays?
Without question, the majority of parents what the best for their children, and without question, most parents do their best each day to provide their children with what they need – not only healthy food, and medical treatment, and the necessities of everyday life,...
Calculating Child Support if You’re Self-Employed
Divorce is difficult. There’s no secret about it – and there’s no way around it. Even in the best of circumstances, it’s an emotionally stressful time – and often some of the most emotional issues involve those pertaining to children. It only makes sense. Most parents...
What Happens if My Spouse Fails to Pay Child Support?
Divorce is difficult enough even when it goes as smoothly as it possibly can. Even when spouses are able to get along well with one another and cooperate toward resolution of their issues, it is still a process that involves some amount of emotional and financial...
Grandparent Child Support
When most of us think of child support, we think of one parent paying support to the other for the children of their marriage following a divorce. And, in most situations, this is in fact the case. After all, parents have a legal duty to financially support their...
What you need to know about child support in North Carolina
Divorcing parents need to understand North Carolina guidelines for everything from calculating and filing child support claims to collecting child support and enforcing agreements.
Stock Options as ‘Income’ for Purposes of Child Support
A determination of a parent’s income drives a calculation of child support. Income is every possible source of funds of a parent considered in the calculation.
Interest on IRAs as ‘Income’ for Purposes of Child Support
In many states, reasonable contributions to a retirement plan are not considered income. The interest is part of that contribution, and constitutes a legitimate retirement planning decision.
Who will pay for my child’s health insurance in a divorce?
North Carolina courts can order parents to pay a child’s medical expenses as a type of child support, including medical, dental, and hospital costs.
Is college tuition included in child support?
While North Carolina law does not provide for or address college tuition and expenses, parents can plan ahead and create an agreement for such expenses.
North Carolina Child Support Guidelines
The court must use the North Carolina guidelines when it enters a temporary or permanent child support order. However, it may deviate from those guidelines in certain situations.
Can child support cover private school tuition?
North Carolina child support guidelines do not include private school tuition. However, the court will make exceptions in some cases.
Can I get attorney’s fees for child support hearings?
If you are in the middle of a child custody case, the court may order your ex to pay your attorney’s fees.
Can I Change My Child Support Agreement?
In North Carolina, modifications to child support agreements can be made under specific conditions.
Can Grandparents be Required to Pay Child Support?
While not common, there are circumstances in which a grandparent could have to pay child support for their grandchild.
Health Insurance for Former Spouses
While there are several ramifications that can come from getting a divorce, losing your health insurance is a result that many people don’t consider.
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