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 Dakota — Alimony & Child Support

North Dakota 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. Ruff-Fischer guidelines (judicially established)

   ND courts apply the Ruff-Fischer factors under § 14-05-24.1: parties' respective ages; their earning ability; duration of marriage and conduct during marriage; their station in life; circumstances and necessities of each; their health and physical condition; financial circumstances at time of marriage and during marriage; and any other relevant matters.

2. Duration of the marriage

   Considered under Ruff-Fischer; longer marriages support longer or indefinite awards.

3. Earning ability and education of each spouse

   Includes whether one spouse needs rehabilitative support to acquire training or education.

4. Financial circumstances and necessities of each party

   Including separate property and marital property awarded.

5. Health and physical condition

   Age and health of the spouse seeking support, and of the obligor.

6. Conduct during the marriage

   ND permits consideration of fault as one Ruff-Fischer factor, though not determinative.

7. Standard of living during marriage

   Station in life established during the marriage.

8. Tax consequences

   Post-TCJA federal treatment (no deduction/no inclusion for orders after 2018) is considered in net-effect calculations.

Open the full Alimony & Child Support guide

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Alimony and Child Support in North Dakota Separate Statutes

North Dakota law treats alimony and child support as separate obligations, each governed by its own statute. Child support is calculated under N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1, which uses a formula based on parental income and the number of children; the official source provides the precise factors and exceptions. Spousal support under N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-24.1 is determined by a court after considering statutory factors, with no fixed formula or amount. The duration of a spousal support order may extend to 10 years or longer, depending on the circumstances. For child support, the state’s online calculator applies the administrative code’s guidelines to produce an estimate. Review the worked example below, then use DocketMath’s calculator to generate your own specific estimate.

Governing authority

In North Dakota, the alimony child support rule is set by N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1 (child); § 14-05-24.1 (spousal support). The verified packet cites N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1 (child); § 14-05-24.1 (spousal support) (https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t14c09.pdf).

North Dakota alimony child support: the verified value is 10 years under N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1 (child); § 14-05-24.1 (spousal support). The verified packet cites N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1 (child); § 14-05-24.1 (spousal support) (https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t14c09.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.