Child support is determined based on the specifics of your case, and several factors come into consideration such as your parenting schedule, each parent’s income, health insurance premiums for the children, and work-related child care expenses. In many cases, the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines are utilized to determine child support. The Guidelines are intended to determine an “adequate” child support amount that is equitable for the children and both parents. Parents may agree on a reasonable amount of child support, with or without regard to the Guidelines, and that agreement can be confirmed in a legally binding written agreement or court order. While the court will often look to the Guidelines to establish child support, there are certain situations in which following the Guidelines would not provide a reasonable amount of child support, and in those instances, either parent can request a deviation from the Guidelines and seek an alternative amount of child support.  In some circumstances, the Guidelines do not apply at all, and a more extensive list of child-related expenses is considered. 

As with child custody, Caleigh has extensive experience handling child support matters both through negotiations and in the courtroom.  She represents clients in all phases of a child support case including establishment of an initial child support amount, modification of child support, and enforcement of child support agreements and court orders.  Once child support has been determined either through settlement discussions or trial, Caleigh prepares a child support agreement or court order that includes the requisite details and any additional expenses or terms that may have been agreed upon or ordered by the court. 

Contact Caleigh at EVANS FAMILY LAW for a consultation to discuss establishing child support or modification or enforcement of an existing child support determination.