On January 1, 2011, new North Carolina Child Support Guidelines became effective. For all child support hearings held on or after that date, the new guidelines will be applied. The guidelines are intended to provide adequate awards of child support that are equitable to the child and both of the child’s parents. The North Carolina Child Support Guidelines provide for retroactive child support, low income child support calculations, as well as high combined income child support calculations. Child care costs, health insurance costs, and extraordinary expenses can also be factored into a child support calculation.
The Guidelines were last reviewed in 2006 by the Conference of Chief District Court Judges, and there are several notable changes to the guidelines. The new 2011 Guidelines now include a specific provision indicating that they apply to orders entered in Chapter 50B actions (domestic violence cases). There are also changes to the definition of what is considered “income” for the purposes of calculating child support.
If you would like to meet with a Miller Cushing Holladay attorney to discuss your child support case, please call us.