Why Do I Have to Pay Child Support if I Can’t See My Child?

One of the most common questions I receive as a family law attorney is: “The mother/father of my child isn’t letting me see them, so why do I have to pay child support?” In North Carolina, as in many other states, child support is a separate issue from custody arrangements. It’s not uncommon for one parent to withhold custody from the other, leaving many wondering why child support payments are still required in such circumstances. In this blog post, I will explore the legal perspective in North Carolina and shed light on why child support obligations persist even when custody … Continue reading

How Is Child Support Calculated in North Carolina?

  In North Carolina, there are presumptive guidelines, i.e. a formula, for calculating child support in the majority of child support cases.   So what information do you need to calculate how much child support you may receive from the other parent or pay to the other parent in the event of separation or divorce? Here is the required information: Both parents’ average monthly gross income; Any work-related child care expenses; The cost of the child(ren)’s health insurance premium; and Any “extraordinary” expenses such as private school for a child with special needs. In addition to these expenses, you also need … Continue reading