Greensboro Child Support Attorneys

Serving Greensboro Families in Child Support Matters Since 2005

At Roupas Law Firm, PLLC, our family law team represents clients in child support calculations, modifications, and disputes. Founded by Attorney Thomas F. Roupas Jr., who has been active in the legal field since 1997, our firm has served Greensboro and the surrounding area since 2005. Whether your matter requires negotiation, mediation, or litigation, we explain your rights and obligations under North Carolina law.

Call Roupas Law Firm, PLLC today at (336) 850-5525 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our Greensboro child support lawyers.

Understanding Child Support: What You Need to Know

Child support is a legal obligation that ensures both parents contribute financially to the well-being of their children, even when they aren’t living together.

The purpose of child support is to cover the expenses associated with raising a child, including:

• Basic needs: Food, clothing, and shelter.
• Educational expenses: School fees, books, and supplies.
• Medical care: Health insurance, doctor visits, and medications.
• Childcare costs: Daycare or babysitting services.

Child support and child custody are separate legal issues. A dispute over visitation doesn’t automatically eliminate an existing support obligation, and both parents’ financial circumstances remain relevant to any support determination.

Child Support Calculation Process in North Carolina

North Carolina uses statewide Child Support Guidelines as a rebuttable presumption in support proceedings. The applicable worksheet depends on the custody arrangement. Worksheet A applies when one parent has primary physical custody, defined as the child residing with that parent for at least 243 nights per year. Worksheet B applies to shared custody, defined as each parent having at least 123 nights while assuming financial responsibility during that time. Worksheet C applies to split custody situations.

The primary factors considered in the calculation include:

• Income of both parents: The gross income of both parents is considered, including wages, self-employment, rental income, and other sources.
• Number of children: The number of children for whom support is sought affects the calculation.
• Custody arrangement: The custody arrangement plays a significant role in determining child support, including the number of overnights each parent has with the child.
• Existing support responsibilities: Existing support obligations may affect the calculation.
• Healthcare and childcare expenses: Work-related childcare costs and health insurance premiums are factored into the calculation. Medical support and uninsured medical expenses may also be addressed in the support order.
• Educational expenses: If applicable, expenses related to private school or special needs education may be included.

A court may deviate from the guideline amount if applying it wouldn’t meet or would exceed the child’s reasonable needs, or if the result would otherwise be unjust or inappropriate. We can explain how the guidelines apply to your circumstances and identify the documentation needed to support your position.

When Does Child Support End in North Carolina?

Child support generally ends when a child turns 18. Under North Carolina law, support may continue past age 18 if the child is still enrolled in and regularly attending primary or secondary school and hasn’t yet graduated. In that circumstance, support may continue until the child graduates or turns 20, whichever comes first. Beyond that exception, ordinary child support doesn’t automatically continue through college or vocational programs.

Factors that may affect when support ends:

• School enrollment: If the child is still regularly attending primary or secondary school at age 18, support may continue until graduation or age 20, whichever occurs first.
• Emancipation: Child support may end if the child becomes legally emancipated before turning 18.
• Existing order terms: A support order may contain provisions that affect when ongoing support ends, and any arrears or other obligations may require separate treatment.

The end of ongoing support should be evaluated under the current order and applicable North Carolina law rather than assumed from an informal agreement between parents. Our Greensboro child support lawyers can review the order and applicable law before you change or stop payments.

How to Modify a Child Support Order in North Carolina

North Carolina allows modification of an existing child support order after three years have passed, or when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. A difference of 15 percent or more between the current support amount and the amount that would result from applying the guidelines to current circumstances is presumed to constitute a substantial change.

Common situations that may warrant review include:

• A significant job loss.
• A meaningful increase in income.
• A change in the custody schedule.
• Altered work-related childcare costs.
• Changes in health insurance coverage.

The changes used as the basis for requesting modification must be significant and considered likely to last for an extended period. The court decides whether a change meets that standard. A parent must continue following the existing order until a court approves the modification, even when both parties informally agree a change is needed. A modification request should be supported with documentation showing the changed circumstances and current financial information.

Reach Out to Our Greensboro Child Support Lawyers Today

Whether you need to establish an initial order, respond to a proposed amount, seek a modification, or address nonpayment, our team can help you organize the financial information your case requires and present child-support issues under North Carolina law.

Our team at Roupas Law Firm, PLLC serves clients throughout Greensboro and Guilford County. Our family-law practice includes related child custody and domestic matters that can affect support issues. We use a team approach to coordinate these overlapping issues.

To speak with our Greensboro child support lawyers, call us at (336) 850-5525 or contact us online today.