North Dakota Child Support
Estimate for North Dakota
North Dakota uses the Percentage of Income model.
View calculation breakdown
| net monthly income | $5,000 |
|---|---|
| Estimated monthly support | $1,691 |
Estimated monthly support by number of children
§ How North Dakota calculates support
North Dakota uses a percentage-of-income approach under N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1 applied to the obligor's adjusted net income (gross income minus hypothetical federal/state income tax, FICA/Medicare, union dues, health insurance, and court-ordered support for other children). A guideline schedule sets the base obligation by income and number of children — commonly expressed as about 14% (1 child), 19% (2), 22% (3), 24% (4), 25% (5), 26% (6+), decreasing at higher incomes and capped at $25,000 monthly net. The child's actual health insurance and work-related childcare are added on top; parenting-time and self-support adjustments also apply.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case in North Dakota
- Apply to Child Support (within the Department of Health and Human Services) or file directly with the court.
- Establish parentage if needed.
- Use the official online Guidelines Calculator / worksheet, entering gross income, taxes, deductions, and number of children.
- The court enters a support order based on the guidelines (a rebuttable presumption).
- Orders are reviewed periodically — every 18 months for TANF/foster cases or full-service cases, otherwise a parent may request review or file a motion after 18 months.
- To modify, request a review or file a court motion showing a substantial change in circumstances (an order less than 85% of the guideline amount triggers agency action).
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: Obligor's adjusted net income is about $4,000/month, two children.
Walk-through: Using the guideline schedule's approximate 19% rate for two children: 19% × $4,000 = $760/month base, before adding the child's health insurance and work-related childcare.
Takeaway: North Dakota applies a percentage of the obligor's adjusted net income; actual health and childcare costs are added on top.
Scenario: Parents share 50/50 overnights. Parent A adjusted net $5,000 (would owe ~$700 for 1 child); Parent B adjusted net $3,000 (would owe ~$420).
Walk-through: Offset the two hypothetical obligations: $700 − $420 = $280/month paid by Parent A to Parent B.
Takeaway: In equal-residential-responsibility cases North Dakota offsets each parent's hypothetical obligation; the higher earner pays the difference.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/childsupport/partners/lawyers/child-support-guidelines/current-child-support-guidelines · https://www.hhs.nd.gov/childsupport/services/review-and-adjustment-orders · https://legalclarity.org/how-north-dakota-child-support-is-calculated-and-enforced
How North Dakota calculates support
North Dakota uses a graduated schedule on net income (self-support reserve ~$1,255/parent). The obligation is capped at the guideline maximum for net income at or above $25,000/month.