In North Carolina, child support orders are mandatory and typically last until your youngest child turns 18 or graduates from high school. By paying for child support, you and your ex can work together in ensuring that your children can continue to grow in a financially secure environment.
Here are three commonly asked questions about the state’s child support processes:
What are the legal ways to establish child support?
Since each case is unique, child support orders in North Carolina may be established in four ways:
- A “voluntary support agreement” signed by a judge
- A divorce order that includes child support
- A civil court action brought by the child’s custodial parent or legal guardian
- A criminal abandonment and non-support court action
After this legal process, the non-custodial parent will begin to provide payments for the agreed child support amount.
How does income withholding work?
After the establishment of your child support order, the North Carolina Child Support Services (NCCSS) will send a “notice of wage withholding” to your ex’s employer. This employer will then process your ex’s child support payments by deducting the specified amount on their paychecks.
Can the NCCSS help me establish paternity?
Yes, the NCCSS can help establish paternity for your case. If you apply for their services online, you can ask for their help in this matter by filling out a form and providing them with accurate information about the potential father of your child.
Once the NCCSS locates the potential father and establishes paternity, you can formally seek child support through a court order.
Your children will be okay
By learning about the common child support questions in North Carolina and their answers, you can let go of your worries and make informed decisions that can benefit your children’s well-being.