Reviewed by Jennifer Setters, Esq. · Updated February 2026
Use this Nevada child support calculator to estimate what you will likely pay or receive in child support before going to court. Enter each parent’s income, number of children, and custody type above for an instant estimate based on Nevada’s current formula.
• Nevada uses a tiered percentage-of-income formula under NAC 425.140 to calculate child support — not a flat rate.
• Joint custody (each parent has the child at least 40% of overnights) uses an offset calculation where the higher earner pays the difference between each parent’s obligation.
• Courts can deviate from the formula under NRS 125B.080 for special needs, childcare costs, travel expenses, and other factors.
• 1 child: 16% of first $6,000/mo + 8% of $6,001–$10,000 + 4% above $10,000
• 2 children: 22% + 11% + 6% (same tiers)
• 3 children: 26% + 13% + 6% (same tiers)
• Joint custody: Calculate both parents’ obligations, subtract the lower from the higher
• No maximum cap since February 1, 2020
How Child Support Is Calculated in Nevada
Nevada replaced its old flat-percentage child support formula on February 1, 2020. The current system, codified in Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) Chapter 425, uses a tiered model that applies different percentages to different income brackets. The formula replaced the previous statutory caps under NRS 125B.070 with a system designed to scale more proportionally with income.
To calculate child support in Nevada, you need three things: each parent’s gross monthly income (GMI), the number of children, and the custody arrangement (primary or joint physical custody). Parents going through a divorce in Las Vegas or a custody dispute will need to provide this information to the court on a Financial Disclosure Form.
Nevada Child Support Percentage Table (NAC 425.140)
| Income Tier | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | 4+ Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First $6,000/mo | 16% | 22% | 26% | Add 2% per child |
| $6,001 – $10,000/mo | 8% | 11% | 13% | Add 1% per child |
| Over $10,000/mo | 4% | 6% | 6% | Add 1% per child |
There are no caps under the current formula. Before 2020, Nevada imposed presumptive maximum amounts that limited monthly payments. The tiered system removed those caps, meaning higher-income parents may owe significantly more than under the old rules.
What Counts as Gross Monthly Income?
Under NAC 425, gross monthly income includes all income before taxes from any source: wages, salary, overtime, commissions, bonuses, investment income, rental income, alimony received, periodic pension or retirement payments, unemployment benefits, and Social Security.
Income does not include child support received from another case, public assistance benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Self-Employment Income and Child Support in Nevada
Self-employment income is one of the most contested issues in Clark County child support cases. Under NAC 425, a self-employed parent’s GMI is calculated as gross business revenue minus legitimate business expenses — but what qualifies as “legitimate” is where disputes arise.
The court looks at Schedule C (sole proprietors), K-1 (partnerships and S-corps), and corporate tax returns to determine actual income. Expenses the IRS allows as deductions — such as vehicle depreciation, home office deductions, and equipment write-offs — may be added back to income if the court determines they do not reflect real out-of-pocket costs. A parent who drives a company-owned vehicle and writes off meals, travel, and phone bills through the business may have a significantly higher GMI than their tax return suggests.
For parents with fluctuating income — seasonal workers, commission-based earners, gig economy workers, business owners with variable revenue — courts typically average income over 12 to 24 months rather than using a single month’s earnings. If income has trended upward or downward, the court may weight recent months more heavily.
In high-conflict cases, a judge may order a forensic accounting review to examine business records, personal spending, and cash flow patterns. If you suspect the other parent is funneling personal expenses through a business to reduce their reported income, a Las Vegas child support attorney can request discovery of bank statements, QuickBooks files, and tax records going back several years.
Primary Custody vs. Joint Custody Calculations
The custody arrangement determines which formula applies. Under NAC 425.100, custody is classified based on a 365-day year:
Primary physical custody: One parent has the child more than 60% of the year (more than 219 overnights). Only the non-custodial parent’s income is used to calculate the obligation. The full formula amount is owed to the custodial parent.
Joint physical custody: Each parent has the child at least 40% of the year (at least 146 overnights). Both parents’ incomes are run through the formula separately, and the lower amount is subtracted from the higher. The parent with the larger obligation pays the difference — this is called the offset method.
Example: Joint Custody Calculation
Parent A’s obligation: ($6,000 × 16%) + ($2,000 × 8%) = $960 + $160 = $1,120/month
Parent B’s obligation: $5,000 × 16% = $800/month
Offset: $1,120 − $800 = $320/month
Parent A pays Parent B $320 per month in child support.
Example: Primary Custody Calculation
Parent A’s obligation: ($6,000 × 16%) + ($2,000 × 8%) = $960 + $160 = $1,120/month
Parent A pays Parent B $1,120 per month. Parent B’s income is not part of the calculation.
Our child support attorneys can review your numbers, identify deviation grounds, and represent you in Clark County Family Court.
Schedule a Consultation →
When Courts Deviate from the Formula
The Nevada child support calculator produces a presumptive amount — meaning the court assumes it is correct unless a party demonstrates grounds for deviation. Under NRS 125B.080, a judge may increase or decrease the calculated amount based on specific factors:
Upward deviations (court orders more than the formula): special educational or medical needs of the child, extraordinary healthcare costs not covered by insurance, and childcare expenses necessary for a parent to work or attend school.
Downward deviations (court orders less than the formula): the paying parent supports children from another relationship, the child has independent income or assets, the paying parent has extraordinary travel costs for visitation, or applying the formula would leave the paying parent below a subsistence level.
Under the 2024 Martinez v. Martinez decision, transportation costs between households must be factored directly into the child support order rather than addressed in a separate order. If you or the other parent relocated outside Clark County, this ruling could significantly affect your calculation.
The 2022 Matkulak v. Davis decision clarified that courts can increase support for high-income parents but cannot order support that exceeds what the lower-earning parent would owe if the custody roles were reversed.
Imputed Income: When a Parent Hides or Reduces Earnings
Nevada courts do not allow a parent to reduce their child support obligation by voluntarily quitting a job, working fewer hours, or concealing income. When a judge determines that a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court imputes income — assigning an earning capacity based on what that parent could reasonably earn.
The court considers several factors when imputing income: the parent’s education level, professional licenses or certifications, employment history, prior earnings, physical and mental health, the local job market, and the availability of work in their field. A parent with a nursing license who quit to avoid support obligations may be imputed income at the average nursing salary in Clark County.
Evidence courts accept for imputed income claims: prior pay stubs and W-2s, tax returns showing historical earnings, LinkedIn or resume evidence of qualifications, job postings showing available positions matching the parent’s skills, testimony from a vocational evaluator, and evidence of lifestyle inconsistent with reported income (expensive purchases, travel, new vehicles).
In cases involving suspected hidden income, the court may order a vocational evaluation — a professional assessment of the parent’s employability and earning potential. The evaluator reviews the parent’s background, conducts labor market research, and provides the court with a recommended imputed income figure. A Las Vegas divorce attorney experienced in high-conflict financial disputes can advise whether requesting a vocational evaluation or forensic review is appropriate for your case.
Both parents must file a Financial Disclosure Form (FDF) in any case involving child support. Submitting inaccurate or incomplete financial information can result in sanctions, recalculated support, and contempt of court charges.
Additional Costs on Top of Base Support
The amount produced by the Nevada child support calculator is the base support obligation only. Nevada law requires parents to share certain additional expenses proportionally based on their respective incomes:
Health insurance: The cost of the child’s portion of the premium. If one parent carries the policy, the other reimburses their proportional share.
Unreimbursed medical expenses: Co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions, dental, vision, and mental health costs not covered by insurance. Many Clark County judges apply the 30/30 rule — the parent who pays an expense must send proof within 30 days, and the other parent has 30 days to reimburse their share or file a written objection.
Childcare: Reasonable childcare costs necessary for the parent to work or attend school.
Special needs: Costs related to a child’s specific educational, therapeutic, or medical requirements.
How to Modify a Child Support Order
Either parent can request a modification of child support in Nevada under NRS 125B.145 when three years have passed since the last order, or the paying parent’s gross monthly income has changed by 20% or more. A change in custody arrangement — for example, moving from primary to joint custody — also qualifies. The new formula applies to the modification; the court does not use the pre-2020 rules even if the original order was calculated under them.
Unpaid child support accumulates with interest. Nevada removed the 10% penalty on arrears, but interest still applies. Enforcement options include wage garnishment, tax refund interception, driver’s license suspension, passport denial, liens on property, and contempt of court penalties including jail time. If a parent owes more than $10,000 in back support, non-payment is a Category C felony punishable by 1–5 years in a Nevada state prison.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is child support in Nevada for one child?
For one child, the base obligation is 16% of the first $6,000 of gross monthly income, plus 8% of income between $6,001 and $10,000, plus 4% of income above $10,000. For example, a parent earning $5,000/month would owe $800/month. A parent earning $8,000/month would owe $1,120/month. In joint custody situations, both parents’ obligations are calculated and the lower is subtracted from the higher.
Is there a maximum child support amount in Nevada?
No. Nevada eliminated presumptive maximum caps when the tiered formula took effect on February 1, 2020. Under the current NAC 425 guidelines, there is no ceiling. The tiered percentages decrease at higher income levels (4% above $10,000), but there is no point at which the obligation stops increasing.
What is the 30/30 rule for child support in Nevada?
The 30/30 rule applies to unreimbursed medical expenses. When one parent pays an out-of-pocket medical cost for the child, they must send proof of payment to the other parent within 30 days. The other parent then has 30 days to reimburse their proportional share or file a written objection. Many Clark County Family Court judges include this provision in child support orders.
Can a judge ignore the child support formula in Nevada?
Yes. Under NRS 125B.080, a judge can deviate upward or downward from the formula if applying it would be unjust or inappropriate. The nine statutory deviation factors include the child’s special needs, extraordinary medical expenses, childcare costs, the paying parent’s other support obligations, and the cost of transporting the child for visitation. The parent requesting a deviation must demonstrate why the formula amount is inadequate or excessive.
How does joint custody affect child support in Nevada?
Joint physical custody (each parent has the child at least 40% of overnights per NAC 425.100) changes the calculation. Instead of using only one parent’s income, the court calculates each parent’s obligation independently, then subtracts the smaller from the larger. The parent with the higher obligation pays the difference. This offset method usually produces a lower payment than primary custody calculations.
What if the other parent is hiding income or not working?
Nevada courts can impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed, underemployed, or concealing earnings. The judge assigns an earning capacity based on education, work history, prior earnings, and current job market conditions. The court may also order a vocational evaluation or forensic accounting review. Both parents must file a Financial Disclosure Form, and inaccurate disclosures can result in sanctions and contempt charges.
How is self-employment income calculated for child support?
Self-employed parents’ GMI is calculated as gross business revenue minus legitimate business expenses. Courts review Schedule C, K-1, and corporate tax returns. IRS-allowed deductions like depreciation and home office expenses may be added back if they do not reflect real out-of-pocket costs. For fluctuating income, courts typically average earnings over 12 to 24 months.
When does child support end in Nevada?
Child support typically ends when the child turns 18. If the child is still enrolled in high school at 18, support continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first. If the child has a disability that began before age 18, support may continue indefinitely until the child is no longer disabled or becomes self-supporting.
Can parents agree to a different child support amount?
Yes. Parents can stipulate to a child support amount that differs from the formula. However, the judge must approve the agreement and may require the parents to explain why the amount is appropriate. If either parent later requests a modification, the court applies the current NAC 425 guidelines regardless of what the parents previously agreed to.
How is child support different from alimony in Nevada?
Child support is calculated using a statutory formula and goes to the custodial parent for the child’s benefit. Alimony (spousal support) has no fixed formula — it is determined at the court’s discretion under NRS 125.150 based on factors like marriage length, each spouse’s income, and standard of living. A parent going through a divorce in Las Vegas may owe both child support and alimony simultaneously. You can estimate spousal support using our Nevada Alimony Calculator.
How do I file for child support in Las Vegas?
You can request child support as part of a custody case or divorce filing in the Eighth Judicial District Court (Clark County Family Division). Alternatively, you can apply through the District Attorney’s Family Support Division (Child Support Enforcement), which can help establish paternity, locate the other parent, and set up an order — often at lower cost than a private filing. Both parents must submit a Financial Disclosure Form and a child support calculation worksheet to the court.
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