How is child support determined?
Both parents are required to provide for the financial support of the child. Either parent may be ordered to pay child support. After consideration is given to the earnings, estates, conditions, accustomed standard of living of the child and parents, child care, and other expenses, the Court Orders child support in amounts that are reasonable for the child’s health, education, and care. In North Carolina, the court has guidelines for calculating child support. While these guidelines don’t require strict adherence by the judge, deviation from the guidelines requires a finding that deviation is appropriate and will be reflected in the child support order. As part of child support, North Carolina District Courts usually require a parent to provide health insurance for the child if they have the financial means to do so even if the child could otherwise receive medicare.
