Start with N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; North Dakota Child Support Guidelines. In North Dakota, North Dakota uses the Percentage of income (obligor) and measures income as net income. North Dakota’s administrative guidelines primarily apply a percentage schedule to the obligor’s net income based on the number of children, with specific modules for equal residential responsibility and other parenting arrangements. That is the question this guide answers for how child support is calculated. Support generally ends when Support generally continues until 18, or 19 if still in high school. Modification: Material change of circumstances; periodic review and significant income changes commonly reopen the calculation.
Statutory framework and guideline model
North Dakota's child support system is built around N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; North Dakota Child Support Guidelines. Under the percentage of income (obligor), North Dakota’s administrative guidelines primarily apply a percentage schedule to the obligor’s net income based on the number of children, with specific modules for equal residential responsibility and other parenting arrangements.
Federal law requires every state to maintain presumptive guidelines and to review them at least every four years (42 U.S.C. § 667). Confirm the latest North Dakota schedule or worksheet before relying on any online calculator.
How child support is calculated in North Dakota
- Identify each parent's guideline income using net income as defined in N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; North Dakota Child Support Guidelines and the accompanying worksheets or administrative rules.
- Apply the percentage of income (obligor) — whether that means a combined-income schedule, an obligor percentage table, or a Melson-style self-support reserve plus primary obligation.
- Allocate add-ons such as health insurance premiums, unreimbursed medical expenses, and work-related child care according to North Dakota practice.
- Consider parenting time adjustments where the guidelines or case law authorize a credit or shared-custody formula.
- Test for deviation if a strict guideline result would be unjust or inappropriate on the record.
Online calculators can illustrate ranges, but only the controlling statute, guidelines, and court findings produce an enforceable order.
How the North Dakota rule applies
Apply the North Dakota authorities in order. The facts are simplified so the statute and the standard are visible.
Two parents in North Dakota need a presumptive child-support figure and may have facts that justify a departure.
- Measure guideline income as net income under N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; North Dakota Child Support Guidelines.
- Apply the Percentage of income (obligor): North Dakota’s administrative guidelines primarily apply a percentage schedule to the obligor’s net income based on the number of children, with specific modules for equal residential responsibility and other parenting arrangements.
- Test deviation: Deviation criteria in the guidelines address extended parenting time, children’s special needs, and other inequities.
- If circumstances later change: Material change of circumstances; periodic review and significant income changes commonly reopen the calculation.
The enforceable number is the North Dakota guideline result under N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; North Dakota Child Support Guidelines, plus any deviation findings. Child Support Division enforces via income withholding, intercepts, and contempt.
Deviation from the guidelines
Deviation criteria in the guidelines address extended parenting time, children’s special needs, and other inequities.
When a court departs from the presumptive amount, North Dakota practice generally requires findings that explain why the guideline figure is unjust or inappropriate and what amount better serves the child's needs. Those findings matter on appeal and in later modification proceedings.
Modification of child support
Material change of circumstances; periodic review and significant income changes commonly reopen the calculation.
A parent seeking a change typically must show that circumstances after the prior order make the existing award inequitable. Common triggers include job loss, substantial income changes, a new parenting-time schedule, emancipation of a child, or extraordinary medical needs. Retroactivity and temporary relief rules are statute-specific — check N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; North Dakota Child Support Guidelines and local family-division procedures.
Enforcement in North Dakota
Child Support Division enforces via income withholding, intercepts, and contempt.
Interstate cases often implicate UIFSA. Income withholding, contempt, license suspension, and tax-refund intercept remain core tools nationwide, but the North Dakota child support agency and clerk of court procedures control day-to-day collection.
When child support ends
In North Dakota, Support generally continues until 18, or 19 if still in high school. Orders may extend for disability, secondary education, or other statutory grounds where the statute allows. Always read the judgment language — agreed orders sometimes set a different end date or require a notice of emancipation.
Case law: how North Dakota courts apply the guidelines
The opinions below are in the LawDiver corpus. Each block quote is taken from the opinion text so you can jump from this guide into the full decision.
Kristine K. LAUER, Plaintiff and Appellee, v. Mark A. LAUER, Defendant and Appellant
…from a post-divorce judgment denying his request to reduce child support and awarding attorney fees to Kristine Lauer for contempt proceedings brought by her against Mark. We affirm the award of attorney fees but reverse the child support award and remand for a redetermination of Mark’s child support obligation in accordance with the child support guidelines. [¶ 2] Mark and Kr…
On child support, Kristine K. LAUER, Plaintiff and Appellee, v. Mark A. LAUER, Defendant and Appellant speaks to the North Dakota dispute in this passage: "Kristine Lauer for contempt proceedings brought by her against Mark. We affirm the award of attorney fees but reverse the child support award and remand for a redetermination of Mark’s child support obligation in accordance with the child support guidelines." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Marlys GEINERT, Plaintiff, Appellee, and Cross-Appellant, v. Michael GEINERT, Defendant, Appellant, and Cross-Appellee
…t court abused its discretion in making the modification of child support effective beginning with the July 2001 payment, rather than from the date of Michael’s motion two *239 years earlier, and the court did not abuse its discretion when it declined to impute income to Michael. We reverse and remand for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion. I [¶ 2] Michael and…
Marlys GEINERT, Plaintiff, Appellee, and Cross-Appellant, v. Michael GEINERT, Defendant, Appellant, and Cross-Appellee is worth reading on North Dakota child support because the court put the point in its own words: "July 2001 payment, rather than from the date of Michael’s motion two *239 years earlier, and the court did not abuse its discretion when it declined to impute income to Michael. We reverse and remand for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Gene JARVIS, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. Jennifer JARVIS, Defendant and Appellee
…l visitation to him; requiring him to pay $300 per month in child support and $100 per month for daycare in May, June, and July; requiring her to maintain health insurance for herself and the children; and requiring the parties to share equally any noncovered health care expenses for the children. [¶ 4] The judgment entered after trial granted Jennifer Jarvis a divorce; divided…
North Dakota opinions such as Gene JARVIS, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. Jennifer JARVIS, Defendant and Appellee are cited where child support is disputed. The court stated: "May, June, and July; requiring her to maintain health insurance for herself and the children; and requiring the parties to share equally any noncovered health care expenses for the children." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
LeAnn CORBIN, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. Donald CORBIN, Defendant and Appellee
…s referee pertaining to the modification of the defendant’s child support payments. The order is modified with respect to the child support payments which are in arrears, but is otherwise affirmed. The plaintiff, LeAnn Corbin, and the defendant, Donald Corbin, were married in Roseglen, North Dakota, on October 11, 1959. Five children were born of the marriage: Dawn, born June 2…
Practitioners open LeAnn CORBIN, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. Donald CORBIN, Defendant and Appellee when North Dakota child support turns on the distinction in this sentence: "The order is modified with respect to the child support payments which are in arrears, but is otherwise affirmed. The plaintiff, LeAnn Corbin, and the defendant, Donald Corbin, were married in Roseglen, North Dakota, on October 11, 1959." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
Roland W. DALIN, Plaintiff and Appellee, v. Patricia Jo DALIN, Defendant and Appellant
…ice. Patricia Jo Dalin appeals from a judgment establishing child support obligations. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand. Patricia and Roland were married in June 1989 and were divorced in January 1992. During the marriage, they had one child, Amy. Patricia and Roland disputed Amy’s custody, and in Dalin v. Dalin, 512 N.W.2d 685 (N.D.1994), this court affirmed the…
Roland W. DALIN, Plaintiff and Appellee, v. Patricia Jo DALIN, Defendant and Appellant is worth reading on North Dakota child support because the court put the point in its own words: "Patricia Jo Dalin appeals from a judgment establishing child support obligations. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand. Patricia and Roland were married in June 1989 and were divorced in January 1992. During the marriage, they had one child, Amy." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Theresa Ann ENTZIE, and v. Allen Lee ENTZIE, and Cross-Appellee
Theresa Ann ENTZIE, and v. Allen Lee ENTZIE, and Cross-Appellee, 2010 N.D. LEXIS 202 (2010)
…s-appeals from an amended judgment modifying Allen Entzie’s child support obligation. We hold the district court erred as a matter of law by failing to comply with the child support guidelines, and we reverse and remand the district court’s calculation of Allen Entzie’s child support obligation. We affirm the district court’s deviation from the child support guidelines for the…
On child support, Theresa Ann ENTZIE, and v. Allen Lee ENTZIE, and Cross-Appellee speaks to the North Dakota dispute in this passage: "Allen Entzie’s child support obligation. We hold the district court erred as a matter of law by failing to comply with the child support guidelines, and we reverse and remand the district court’s calculation of Allen Entzie’s child support obligation." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Practical checklist for North Dakota child support matters
- Gather recent pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of health insurance / child-care costs.
- Complete the current North Dakota worksheet or financial affidavit required by the local court.
- Document parenting-time overnights if a shared-custody adjustment may apply.
- Flag facts that could support deviation (special needs, travel costs, high income, other children).
- Search LawDiver for recent North Dakota appellate decisions before mediation or trial.
Key takeaways
- North Dakota follows the Percentage of income (obligor) model for presumptive child support.
- Income is generally measured using net income, then allocated under N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; North Dakota Child Support Guidelines.
- Guideline amounts are presumptive, not automatic — courts may deviate when the facts justify it.
- Support generally continues until 18, or 19 if still in high school.
- Either parent can seek modification when material change of circumstances; periodic review and significant income changes commonly reopen the calculation..
- Read the companion guide: North Dakota alimony / spousal support.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in North Dakota?
North Dakota uses the percentage of income (obligor) under N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; North Dakota Child Support Guidelines. Courts start with net income, apply the guideline schedule or percentage, allocate add-ons, and may deviate with findings when the presumptive amount is unjust.
What income counts for North Dakota child support?
Guideline income generally tracks net income as defined by N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; North Dakota Child Support Guidelines and the worksheets. Wages, self-employment income, bonuses, and certain benefits are commonly included; exact deductions and exclusions are statute-specific.
Can North Dakota courts order more or less than the guideline amount?
Yes. Guideline support is presumptive. Judges may deviate when the record shows the guideline result is unjust or inappropriate, typically with written findings explaining the departure.
How do I modify a North Dakota child support order?
Material change of circumstances; periodic review and significant income changes commonly reopen the calculation. File in the court with continuing jurisdiction (or follow UIFSA for interstate cases) and support the request with current financial evidence.
When does child support end in North Dakota?
Support generally continues until 18, or 19 if still in high school. Confirm any disability, educational, or agreed extensions in your particular order.
Where can I research North Dakota child support case law?
Use LawDiver search scoped to North Dakota, or open the opinions linked in this guide. Companion reading: North Dakota spousal support guide.
Disclaimer
This guide is general legal information about North Dakota child support, not legal advice. Statutes, guidelines, and case law change. Confirm the current text of N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-09.7; North Dakota Child Support Guidelines and consult a licensed North Dakota family-law attorney about your facts.