What are child support and alimony?

Child support and alimony are both payments that may be ordered by a court in a family law action in North Carolina. Child support is a payment made by a parent, usually the non-custodial parent, to the custodial parent. It is meant to provide financial support to help meet the needs of a child. The court will use a formula, commonly referred to as the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines, to determine the amount of child support that must be paid. Alimony is a payment made by one spouse to the other, usually following a separation or divorce. It is meant to help the receiving spouse have an income to cover their reasonable living expenses. The court will consider a variety of factors when deciding whether or not to order alimony and how much alimony should be paid. This includes the length of the marriage, the health and age of the parties, the income and earning potential of each party, and the household expenses. If alimony is ordered, it is usually paid on a monthly basis. Alimony payments may be either temporary or long-term, depending on the needs of the receiving spouse.

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