Child Support
G.S. 50-13.4 — guidelines, due on the first of the month, and until 18 or school ends
In North Carolina, a parent, anyone with custody of a child, or a child through a guardian may bring an action for child support. The mother and father are primarily liable for the support of a minor child.
Support meets the child's reasonable needs for health, education and maintenance, considering the parties' estates, earnings, conditions and accustomed standard of living, and each party's child care and homemaker contributions. The court applies the presumptive guidelines, and on request hears evidence and may vary from them with findings. Payments are monthly, due on the first day of each month.
Until 18, or longer for a child still in school. Support ends when the child reaches 18 or is otherwise emancipated. A child still in primary or secondary school at 18 is supported until graduating, stopping regular attendance, failing to make satisfactory progress, or reaching 20, whichever comes first, unless the court orders otherwise.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.S. 50-13.4 — Action for support of minor child
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.