24 August

How to Modify a Child Support Order in North Carolina

in Blog

If your child support order no longer fits real life, North Carolina law gives you a way to ask the court to change it. This page walks you through when a change is possible, what the court looks for, the forms you need, and how the hearing works.

Quick answer: You can ask to modify child support any time there is a substantial change in circumstances, or after three years if the guideline amount would differ by 15 percent or more.

When can a North Carolina court modify child support?

North Carolina courts can change a child support order “at any time” if a party files a motion and shows a change in circumstances since the last order. This rule lives in G.S. 50-13.7.

The 3-year / 15% shortcut

There is a built-in presumption of a substantial change if:

it has been at least three years since the last order or last modification, and
the guideline amount using today’s numbers would differ from the current order by 15% or more.

What counts as a “substantial change”?

Examples that often meet the standard:

A real shift in income for either parent
New or increased work-related child care expenses
A change in health insurance coverage or cost for the child
A custody shift that changes overnights or primary residence
Increased needs of the child, such as medical or educational costs

Courts apply the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines as a starting point in most cases. Judges must order the guideline amount unless that would be unjust or not meet the child’s needs.

Voluntary unemployment and “imputed” income

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed to avoid support, the court may base support on that parent’s potential income, not just actual pay.

What usually does not qualify?

Minor, short-lived income dips with no proof
Choosing to reduce hours without a good reason
Routine fluctuations that do not change the guideline result
Re-arguing facts that were known at the last hearing

Evidence checklist

Gather documents that show the change and the current numbers:

Last 6–12 months of pay stubs; most recent W-2/1099; recent tax returns
Proof of child care costs tied to work or job search
Proof of health insurance premiums for the child and who pays them
Proof of extraordinary expenses for the child (medical, therapies, schooling)
A calendar or records showing overnights if custody time changed
Any written offers, layoffs, disability determinations, or incarceration records

The court will expect documentation at the hearing. The Judicial Branch’s public guidance also lists what parties should bring.

Step-by-step: How to file a modification

Complete the form. Use AOC-CV-600 (Motion and Notice of Hearing for Modification of Child Support Order). This is the statewide form the clerk and judges expect to see.
File in the right place. File in the same case, usually in the county where the original order was entered or where the child or a parent resides.
Serve the other party. Proper service is required. The court will not hear your motion without it.
Prepare your numbers. Run the NC Child Support Guidelines worksheets that match your custody setup: Worksheet A for primary custody, Worksheet B for shared custody, Worksheet C for split custody. The state provides online calculators for each.
Bring your proof. See the checklist above. Judges often rely on what you can show on paper.
Attend the hearing. Be ready to explain what changed and why the guideline result or a deviation fits your child’s needs. The court applies the Guidelines unless doing so would be unjust or inappropriate.

If your case is managed by Child Support Services (CSS) through the county, contact your caseworker. CSS can review orders and may help pursue a change.

How the Guidelines affect your result

North Carolina uses uniform Child Support Guidelines statewide. They are a rebuttable presumption. Judges start with the worksheet result and then decide whether that number should stand or be adjusted for specific reasons.

Health insurance: The cost of covering the child is added in the worksheet.
Work-related child care: Added to the calculation with proper proof.
Minimum order: The Guidelines set a minimum $50 order in many low-income cases.

Use the state calculators to estimate new support before you file.

Timing and retroactivity

Effective date: A modified order can start on or after the date you file your motion. Waiting can cost you months of over- or under-payment because the court generally cannot backdate changes before the filing date.
Arrears cannot be wiped out later: Once a payment becomes past due, it “vests” as a judgment and cannot be reduced or erased later, with narrow statutory exceptions. File as soon as the change occurs.

Special situations

Job loss or reduced hours: File promptly. The court looks at the reason for the loss and your work search. If the reduction is voluntary without good cause, the court may impute income.
Self-employed parents: Bring tax returns, profit-and-loss statements, and bank summaries.
Incarceration: Can support a change if income and ability to pay have materially changed; you still need to file to seek relief.
Health insurance switches: If who pays or the premium changes, update the worksheet and bring proof.
Custody shift: If overnights move from primary to shared or vice versa, rerun the correct worksheet and bring calendars or orders to show the new schedule.

What to expect in court

Child support calendars are busy. The judge (or CSS attorney in IV-D cases) will call cases, take brief testimony, review your exhibits, and then enter findings using the current Guidelines. Bring organized copies of everything you want the court to see.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting months to file while arrears pile up
Coming to court without pay stubs, insurance proof, or child care receipts
Using the wrong worksheet for your custody arrangement
Assuming the 3-year mark alone changes the order without meeting the 15% difference presumption or proving another substantial change

North Carolina Child Support Modification FAQs

Can I change support if it’s been less than three years?
Yes, if you can prove a substantial change since the last order.

Do I need a lawyer?
You can file on your own with AOC-CV-600, but many people prefer counsel to run the numbers, prep evidence, and handle the hearing. Culbertson and Associates has helped over 500+ parents modify child support orders.

Where do I find the form?
The Motion and Notice of Hearing for Modification of Child Support Order is on the NC Judicial Branch website as AOC-CV-600. You can download it here.

Where do I estimate support?
Use the state’s online calculators for Worksheets A, B, or C.

Ready for help?

If your order was entered in Guilford County, Forsyth County, or anywhere in the Triad, the family law team at Culbertson & Associates can run your worksheets, prepare the motion, and represent you at the hearing. We focus on practical results and clear communication so you know what to expect at every step. Reach out today, tell us what changed, and we will map the fastest path to a workable support order for your family.