ORDER ESTABLISHMENT

Once paternity is no longer at issue, an order for child support can be established. This can be done voluntarily at the Child Support Enforcement Office. If the non-custodial parent is unwilling to establish the order voluntarily, legal action will be filed. Once the non-custodial parent receives official notice of the hearing date, a hearing is held and the court will establish a child support order. If medical insurance is available, the court may include a provision for medical insurance.
The NC Child Support Guidelines are used to determine the amount of child support that the non-custodial parent will be ordered to pay. The Guidelines are based on an income shares model using the gross incomes of both parents to determine the non custodial parent’s support obligation. Daycare costs, medical insurance premiums and responsibility for other children are factors that are considered when calculating child support. You may be eligible for prior maintenance (back support). You must contact your case manager for additional information about prior maintenance.

PATERNITY ESTABLISHMENT

A child support order cannot be established for a child who is born to unmarried parents until:

• The alleged father acknowledges paternity by signing the Affidavit of Parentage in the hospital, at the child support agency or at the Clerk of Court’s office.
• Legal action is filed with the court when the alleged father does not voluntarily acknowledge paternity. A formal Complaint is served on the alleged father. A court hearing is held and the court makes a determination of paternity.

Genetic testing is recommended if there are any doubts about the paternity of a child. The potential father may be tested to determine whether or not he is the biological father of a child. Genetic testing is highly accurate in determining the paternity of a child. A swab is taken from inside the cheek of the mother, alleged father and child, and then sent to a Laboratory for testing.

REVIEW AND ADJUSTMENT

Review of support orders in all Non Public Assistance and Medicaid cases may be done upon request of either party every three (3) years or if there has been a significant change of circumstance. Your order will be adjusted, if warranted. In Public Assistance cases, the order is reviewed 36 months from the date of the most recent order.

WORKING WITH OTHER STATES

When one of the parties involved in a child support case lives outside of North Carolina, the case may be referred to that state’s child support enforcement agency for action. The case is referred to as an Interstate case. Processing this type of case may be more time consuming and require additional documents. If a child is conceived in North Carolina or if the non-custodial parent has ever lived with and supported the child in North Carolina, action may be taken without involving the other state.
When the case is referred to another state, that state is required to provide the same enforcement actions to our case, as they would a local case. Once the case is referred to another state, your local agent will not be in control of your case.

Child Support Enforcement home page