This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

North Carolina — Alimony & Child Support

North Carolina uses a discretionary test — there's no bright-line statutory threshold. A judge or clerk evaluates the factors below and rules based on the full financial and situational picture. The calculator cannot compute a specific answer here, but these are the factors a court will weigh.

What the court will weigh

Gather documentation for the factors that apply to your situation — judges grant waivers more readily when the affidavit is specific.

1. Marital misconduct of either spouse

   § 50-16.3A(b)(1).

2. Relative earnings and earning capacities

   § 50-16.3A(b)(2).

3. Ages and physical, mental, and emotional conditions

   § 50-16.3A(b)(3).

4. Amount and sources of earned and unearned income

   § 50-16.3A(b)(4).

5. Duration of the marriage

   § 50-16.3A(b)(5).

6. Contribution to the education or earning power of the other spouse

   § 50-16.3A(b)(6).

7. Effect of serving as custodian of a minor child

   § 50-16.3A(b)(7).

8. Standard of living established during the marriage

   § 50-16.3A(b)(8).

9. Relative education and time needed to acquire training

   § 50-16.3A(b)(9).

10. Relative assets, liabilities, and debt service

    § 50-16.3A(b)(10).

11. Property brought to the marriage

    § 50-16.3A(b)(11).

12. Contribution as homemaker

    § 50-16.3A(b)(12).

13. Relative needs of the spouses

    § 50-16.3A(b)(13).

14. Tax ramifications of the alimony award

    § 50-16.3A(b)(14).

15. Any other just and proper economic factor

    § 50-16.3A(b)(15).

16. Income previously considered in equitable distribution

    § 50-16.3A(b)(16).

Open the full Alimony & Child Support guide

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North Carolina Child Support and Alimony as Separate Obligations

North Carolina law treats child support and alimony as separate obligations governed by different statutes. Child support is calculated under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4 and the NC Child Support Guidelines (2023), using a formula based on each parent’s income, the number of children, and certain expenses, with the official source providing the complete calculation method. Alimony, governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-16.1A, § 50-16.3A, and § 50-16.6, is determined by the court after considering statutory factors and is not subject to a fixed formula. The worked example below illustrates how the guidelines apply to a specific income scenario. To estimate your own potential support amounts, use the DocketMath calculator.

Governing authority

In North Carolina, the alimony child support rule is set by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4 + NC Child Support Guidelines (2023) (child); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-16.1A, § 50-16.3A, § 50-16.6 (alimony). The verified packet cites N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4 + NC Child Support Guidelines (2023) (child); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-16.1A, § 50-16.3A, § 50-16.6 (alimony) (https://www.nccourts.gov/assets/documents/forms/ncchildsupportguidelines2023.pdf).

North Carolina alimony child support: the verified value is $40,000 under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4 + NC Child Support Guidelines (2023) (child); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-16.1A, § 50-16.3A, § 50-16.6 (alimony). The verified packet cites N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4 + NC Child Support Guidelines (2023) (child); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-16.1A, § 50-16.3A, § 50-16.6 (alimony) (https://www.nccourts.gov/assets/documents/forms/ncchildsupportguidelines2023.pdf).

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the alimony child support calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.