Do you need help with a child support matter in Gastonia, North Carolina? Whether you’re setting up payments, requesting a change, or dealing with missed support, you deserve clear guidance and a legal strategy that fits your family’s needs.
At Caulder & Valentine, our child support lawyers work with parents every day on issues like support calculations, court modifications, and enforcement actions. Our team knows how local courts handle these cases, and we come prepared. We don’t rush the process or treat you like just another case number; instead, we listen closely, explain thoroughly, and take action with purpose.
If you’re ready to speak with a Gastonia child support lawyer who will take your case seriously, contact Caulder & Valentine now to set up your confidential consultation.
How Caulder & Valentine Can Help with Your Gastonia Child Support Case
At Caulder & Valentine, our child support lawyers in Gastonia are here to help you with every aspect of your child support case. Whether you’re paying or receiving support, we can provide clear answers, reliable guidance, and bold representation both in and out of the courtroom.
When you come to us for help, our lawyers take the time to understand your goals and explain how the law applies to your specific situation. Our firm intentionally avoids taking on too many cases at once, allowing us to stay focused on you and your family’s future.
Our attorneys can work with you to gather the necessary documents, calculate support in accordance with North Carolina’s guidelines, and prepare thoroughly for each step of the legal process. If your case requires a court appearance, we’ll be prepared and ready to advocate for a fair outcome. If you already have a child support order but your situation has changed, we can assist you in requesting a modification.
Clients often come to us with questions about how child support works. We take time to answer them in plain language, so you know where you stand and what comes next. Our lawyers can help with such questions as:
- How is child support determined in North Carolina?
- How is child support calculated?
- How much is child support in North Carolina?
- When does child support end in North Carolina?
- Does getting married affect child support?
- How will North Carolina child support laws affect my case?
If you have questions like these about your child support case or want help planning your next steps, you can contact our team to set up a consultation. During this meeting, we’ll listen to your concerns and help you explore your options.
What’s the Method for Calculating Child Support in North Carolina?
The North Carolina General Assembly has established a formula to calculate child support, based on a calculator that gets updated once every four years. This formula involves examining both parents’ monthly gross incomes and comparing them to a schedule that estimates the typical expenses families incur to support their children. Then, the estimated amount is split between the parents based on their respective earnings. Generally, the more a parent earns, the more they typically have to contribute.
The number of nights each parent spends with their child also affects the amount they must pay. If both parents share custody, the court adjusts the calculation to reflect shared time. If one parent has primary custody, the other parent usually pays more support because the courts assume the parent with primary custody handles most day-to-day expenses as they arise. The court also considers costs such as health insurance, daycare, and extraordinary expenses, including travel, in its calculations.
The North Carolina child support formula generally applies, but the court may deviate from it if the standard result appears unfair based on the specific facts. Judges make that call on a case-by-case basis.
It’s worth noting that there’s no fixed North Carolina child support percentage per child, meaning the law doesn’t require parents to pay a standard percentage of their income for each child. Instead, the formula increases the total support amount based on the parents’ combined incomes and the number of children involved. The formula suggests different amounts for one child, two children, three children, and so on, using the combined incomes of both parents to guide the final number.
Can Child Support Payments Change?
Yes, child support payments can change. If a parent’s income or a child’s needs change, the court can adjust the amount of support. North Carolina courts allow either parent to request a modification if there has been a significant change in circumstances. That might include a job loss, a raise, a change in custody, or new health care needs for the child.
Under the North Carolina child support statutes, the court will consider whether a change would result in an increase or decrease of 15 percent or more in the current support amount. If it does, the court will likely consider that a valid reason to modify the order. The court may also reconsider the case, even without a major life change, if it has been three years or more since the last order.
Additionally, new North Carolina child support laws sometimes affect how courts calculate payments. If you have an older support order, you might qualify for a modification based on the latest rules. Caulder & Valentine stays current on all changes to help our clients understand which rules apply. If you believe your support order no longer suits your situation, we can review it and assist you in determining the next steps.
How Long Do Child Support Payments Typically Last?
In North Carolina, child support usually lasts until the child turns 18. If the child is still in high school when they turn 18, support continues until they graduate, leave school, stop making progress, or turn 20, whichever happens first.
If both parents agree, they can choose to extend support payments beyond the legal cutoff. Some parents decide to extend support payments if a child needs help with college expenses or ongoing medical care. This kind of agreement must be in writing and approved by the court to be enforceable.
Child support payments can also end early in some situations. For example, if a child gets married, joins the military, or becomes legally emancipated, the court may allow parents to stop payments. However, parents cannot decide to stop child support on their own. They must file a motion with the court and request an official order to terminate their support obligations.
If you’re not sure when your support payments should end, or you think they should stop early, a lawyer can help you understand your options. You should never stop payments without formal approval from the court.
What If One Parent Fails to Follow the Child Support Order?
If one parent doesn’t follow a court-ordered child support plan, the other parent can take action to enforce the order. In North Carolina, courts take child support violations seriously. If support goes unpaid, the paying parent could face wage garnishment, loss of tax refunds, or license suspension.
If the problem continues, and a judge finds that the parent had the ability to pay but chose not to, the court may hold that parent in contempt. This can result in fines or even jail time.
If you’re not receiving the payments you’re owed, a North Carolina child support lawyer can help you file a motion to enforce the support order. They can also help you gather proof of missed payments and ensure the court has the right information. You don’t have to manage the enforcement process alone.
On the other hand, if you’re falling behind on payments due to an illness or other serious issue, an attorney can help you request a change before the court begins enforcement actions. The sooner you act, the more options you have for avoiding penalties.
If I Get Married, Does Child Support Change?
A new marriage will not automatically change child support in North Carolina. The court bases support decisions on each parent’s income and parenting time, not their new spouse’s income or household budget. So, if you or your child’s other parent gets married, that fact alone won’t increase or decrease your support obligation.
However, marriage can lead to other changes that might affect support. For example, let’s say you start earning more because of a new job or move into a new home that changes your cost of living. In that case, the court may consider those changes if one parent asks for a modification.
If you have more children in your new marriage, that could also be a relevant factor if it affects your ability to pay support for your other children. The courts don’t see new children as a reason to stop support, but they may adjust payment amounts.
If you’re getting married and feel unsure about how it might affect your child support case, a Gastonia child support attorney can take a closer look at your situation and help you plan ahead.
