How is child support calculated in a joint custody situation?

In a joint custody situation, child support in North Carolina is calculated by the Non-Custodial Parent’s Payment Percentage. The Payment Percentage is determined by taking into account the income of both parents, any financial obligations the Non-Custodial Parent may have to additional children, and the number of nights in that year in which the Non-Custodial Parent exercises physical custody. The Payment Percentage is then multiplied by the amount of Child Support Guideline Table (CST) obligation owed by the Non-Custodial Parent. This calculation results in the total amount of child support the Non-Custodial Parent is expected to pay. The Payment Percentage can fluctuate each year based on the number of nights in physical custody of the Non-Custodial Parent. When the Non-Custodial Parent’s Payment Percentage is below fifty percent, the Non-Custodial Parent must pay the full amount of the CST obligation. If the Payment Percentage is over fifty percent, then the Non-Custodial Parent pays the lower of the amount owed or the amount calculated by the Payment Percentage. It is important to remember that the Payment Percentage is not the same thing as the percentage of time each parent spends with the child. The Payment Percentage is calculated to ensure that the Non-Custodial Parent is contributing their fair share of child support in joint custody situations, and will likely change depending on the number of nights in physical custody and the incomes of both parents.

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How is child support calculated in a joint custody situation?

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