Does Joint Custody Mean No Child Support?
A common misconception is that joint custody eliminates child support. In North Carolina, that’s usually not the case.
Why Support Still Applies With Joint Custody
There’s a common misconception that joint custody eliminates the need for child support. That’s not accurate in North Carolina. Child support is generally determined by each parent’s gross income, the number of children, and the actual amount of time each parent spends with the children, so a parent with joint custody may still owe support to the other parent depending on how those factors work out.
Joint Custody & Child Support FAQs
Does 50/50 custody mean no one pays child support?
Not necessarily. Even close to even time-sharing can still result in a support obligation if there’s a significant income difference between parents.
What worksheet applies to joint or shared custody?
North Carolina uses a different guideline worksheet for shared physical custody situations, which factors in the time split more directly.
Can we agree to waive child support in a joint custody arrangement?
Courts generally scrutinize any support arrangement to ensure it serves the child’s best interest, so it’s not simply up to the parents to waive it.
Related Reading
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