North Carolina Child Support Lawyer
Get child support calculated right and in writing. Our North Carolina child support lawyer helps you apply the NC Child Support Guidelines, prepare Worksheets A/B/C, set medical coverage and childcare add-ons, and secure clean orders that payroll and insurers can follow.
Your North Carolina Child Support Lawyer
Krispen Culbertson has practiced North Carolina family law for 20+ years, focusing on guideline calculations, deviation strategy, wage withholding, arrears, medical support, and interstate UIFSA cases. We turn numbers and rules into clear orders agencies can follow.
Memberships: North Carolina State Bar; local family law sections. Courts: District Courts statewide with frequent calendars in Guilford and surrounding counties.
Start by situation
Fast answers
How are North Carolina child support payments calculated? Courts apply the NC Child Support Guidelines using each parent’s gross income, the parenting schedule (overnights), health insurance premiums for the child, work-related childcare, and extraordinary expenses. The court selects Worksheet A (primary custody), Worksheet B (shared custody), or Worksheet C (split custody) based on your facts.
When can a judge deviate from the Guidelines? A court may deviate above or below the guideline amount if the standard result would be unjust or inappropriate, often for special needs, high travel costs, or high income. Strong evidence and specific findings are required.
How North Carolina child support is calculated
We prepare accurate guideline Worksheets A, B, or C using verified income, overnights, insurance, childcare, and extraordinary expenses. The goal is a number the court accepts and an order payroll can implement.
- Income verification: pay stubs, W-2/1099, and tax returns. For variable pay or self-employment, we document averages and reasonable add-backs.
- Overnights: parenting schedules drive worksheet choice. We align custody facts with the correct form.
- Adjustments: health insurance premiums for the child, work-related childcare, and extraordinary expenses flow into the calculation.
NC Child Support Guidelines Overview • Worksheet A (Primary) • Worksheet B (Shared) • Worksheet C (Split)
Medical support and childcare add-ons
Orders set who carries health insurance and how unreimbursed expenses are split. Work-related childcare is added to the calculation, with clear documentation rules and deadlines so families avoid disputes later.
Deviations from the Guidelines
Courts can deviate when guideline results would be unfair. We gather evidence (budgets, records, travel costs, special needs) and propose findings that satisfy the legal standard.
Enforcement and wage withholding
We move for wage withholding, arrears judgments, liens, contempt, and tax intercepts where applicable. Clean ledgers and notices help the court act quickly.
Related: Modification & Enforcement
Modification of child support
Show a material change in circumstances. Many courts use the “10% or three-year” benchmarks as a practical signal. We update income proofs and overnights, then file and notice for a clean recalculation.
Retroactive support and payment credits
Courts can address support back to filing and sometimes earlier. We document direct payments, in-kind support, and insurance or childcare costs so credits are applied correctly.
Out-of-state orders (UIFSA)
North Carolina can register and enforce or modify a foreign support order when jurisdiction allows. We confirm continuing exclusive jurisdiction, then file the correct packet so your order works here without delay.
See our hub: Interstate & International Family Law
What to bring and your first 72 hours
Documents checklist
- Recent pay stubs, last year’s W-2/1099, and latest tax return
- Health insurance premiums for the child and proof of coverage
- Childcare invoices and payment history
- Any prior orders, agreements, or IV-D notices
- A simple calendar of overnights for the last 60–90 days
Your first 72 hours with our team
1) Strategy
Confirm worksheet type and data sources.
2) Documents
Collect income proofs, insurance, childcare, and extraordinary expenses.
3) Draft
Prepare guideline worksheet and proposed order language.
4) Hearing or consent
File and notice; set wage withholding and medical support terms.
5) Follow-through
Confirm payroll and insurers implement correctly.
FAQs
What goes into an NC child support calculation?
Which worksheet applies—A, B, or C?
Can a judge deviate from the Guidelines?
How are medical and unreimbursed expenses handled?
How do I modify child support in North Carolina?
Can NC enforce an out-of-state support order?
Why North Carolina families choose Culbertson & Associates
- 20+ years focused on North Carolina family law
- Clean worksheets and orders that payroll, insurers, and agencies can follow
- Interstate capability under UIFSA and coordination with UCCJEA custody issues
- Clear fees, timelines, and communication from day one
What clients say about our child support work
“They explained the worksheets in plain terms and caught an insurance credit the other side missed. My order matched the math.”
“They registered my out of state order and got wage withholding started. Payments are on time now.”
“Modification approved. They showed the 10 percent change clearly and the judge moved fast.”
“They credited my direct payments so the arrears balance was correct. Huge relief.”
“Interstate case handled smoothly. They registered my old order and fixed the medical support language.”
“Clear plan and clean orders. Payroll and the insurer followed them right away.”
Visit Our Greensboro Office
Culbertson & Associates
315 Spring Garden St Ste #300, Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 272-4299
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
Visit Our Greensboro Office
Culbertson & Associates
315 Spring Garden St Ste #300, Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 272-4299
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
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