How Nevada Calculates Child Support Amounts

Nevada uses a formula based on both parents' income, not a fixed dollar amount

Nevada does not have a set child support payment. Instead, the state uses the Income Shares Model, which calculates support based on what both parents earn, how much time each parent spends with the child, and the child's needs. The formula produces a number that reflects what the child would receive if both parents lived together and pooled their income.

The calculation starts with each parent's gross monthly income — wages, self-employment earnings, bonuses, and some other sources. Nevada then applies a percentage based on how many children need support. That percentage ranges from 18% of combined parental income for one child to 32% for five or more children. The result is divided between parents based on their income share and custody arrangement.

Because the amount depends entirely on income and custody, two families in Nevada can have vastly different child support orders even if they have the same number of children.

Key Takeaways

• Nevada calculates child support as a percentage of both parents' combined gross income, ranging from 18% for one child to 32% for five or more children.
• Each parent's share of the total is based on their percentage of combined income and the amount of time they spend with the child.
• Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, bonuses, and certain other sources; it does not include means-tested benefits like SNAP or TANF.
• The court can adjust the calculated amount if it finds the result is unjust or if either parent earns more than $10,000 per month (the threshold varies by case type).
• Child support continues until the child turns 18, or until age 19 if the child is still in high school full-time.

What counts as income for the calculation

Nevada includes most forms of earned and unearned income in the child support calculation. Gross wages from employment are the most common source. Self-employment income counts too, calculated as net profit after business expenses. Bonuses, commissions, overtime pay, and tips all count as income in the month they are received.

Other income sources include rental income, interest and dividends, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, Social Security benefits (including retirement and disability), military allowances and housing, and income from trusts or annuities. Income from means-tested public information programs — such as SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid — does not count.

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may assign income based on their earning capacity rather than their actual income. This prevents a parent from reducing support by quitting work or taking a lower-paying job.

How the percentage changes with the number of children

Nevada's percentage brackets are fixed by state law and do not change based on the parents' income level or the child's age:

Number of Children	Percentage of Combined Income
1 child	18%
2 children	25%
3 children	27%
4 children	30%
5 or more children	32%

The percentage applies to the combined gross income of both parents. For example, if both parents together earn $5,000 per month and there are two children, the total child support obligation is $1,250 (25% of $5,000). That $1,250 is then split between the parents based on each parent's share of the combined income and custody time.

How custody time affects the amount each parent pays

The parent who spends less time with the child typically pays support to the parent who spends more time. Nevada calculates this by first determining each parent's percentage of combined income, then adjusting based on the percentage of time each parent has the child.

If one parent has the child 70% of the time and the other has the child 30% of the time, the parent with 30% custody pays a larger share of the total obligation. The exact calculation depends on the income split and the custody percentages, which is why two parents earning the same amount can owe different amounts if their custody arrangements differ.

If parents share custody equally (50-50), the parent who earns more typically pays support to the parent who earns less, because the obligation is adjusted for the equal time-sharing.

When the court can change the calculated amount

Nevada law allows the court to deviate from the calculated amount if explore the formula would be unjust or inappropriate. The court must state its reasons in writing if it deviates. Common reasons for adjustment include:

• One or both parents earn more than $10,000 per month (the threshold for high-income cases, though this can vary)
• The child has special needs or extraordinary medical expenses
• One parent is paying support for other children from a different relationship
• The cost of childcare or health insurance for the child is unusually high
• Either parent has significant debt or financial obligations
• The parents have agreed to a different amount in writing

A parent who believes the calculated amount is unfair can request a deviation at the time of the order or later by filing a motion to modify. The burden is on the parent requesting the change to show why the formula result is unjust.

How long child support lasts in Nevada

Child support continues until the child turns 18 years old. If the child is still enrolled in high school full-time at age 18, support continues until the child turns 19 or graduates, whichever comes first.

Support ends automatically on the child's 18th birthday (or 19th, if still in high school) unless the court order specifies otherwise. The paying parent does not need to file paperwork to stop payments; however, it is wise to confirm with the court or the child support enforcement office that the obligation has ended.

If a child is disabled and unable to support themselves, a parent can request that support continue past age 18. This requires a separate court order and proof of the child's disability and need.

What happens if income changes after the order is set

Child support orders in Nevada are not permanent. If either parent's income changes by 20% or more, or if there is a substantial and continuing change in circumstances, the parent seeking the change can file a motion to modify the order.

A job loss, significant raise, change in custody, or major change in childcare costs all count as reasons to modify. The court will recalculate using the new income and circumstances. The change in support amount takes effect on the date the motion is filed, not the date the income actually changed, so it is important to file promptly.

If a parent stops paying without filing to modify, they will owe the full amount ordered plus interest and potential penalties. Filing to modify protects both the paying parent and the child by ensuring the order reflects current circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nevada child support include health insurance and childcare costs?

The base calculation does not include these costs, but the court can order either or both parents to pay for health insurance and childcare as add-ons to the base child support amount. These are considered part of the child's needs and are often ordered in addition to the percentage-based support.

What if one parent makes much more money than the other?

If one parent earns significantly more, the court may deviate from the standard formula. High-income cases (typically those where combined income exceeds $10,000 per month, though this threshold can vary) often result in adjustments because the percentage formula may not reflect the child's actual needs or the disparity between parents' resources.

Can child support be modified if a parent loses their job?

Yes, a job loss is a substantial change in circumstances that allows either parent to file for modification. However, the court will consider whether the job loss was voluntary or involuntary, and whether the parent is making reasonable efforts to find new work. Voluntarily quitting to avoid support does not excuse the obligation.

Does Nevada count overtime or bonuses as regular income?

Overtime and bonuses count as income in the month they are received. If they are regular and recurring, the court may average them over time to create a more stable support amount. If they are sporadic, the court may treat them differently or exclude them from the base calculation.

What if the parents agree on a different child support amount?

Parents can agree to a different amount in writing, but the court must still approve it. The judge will review the agreement to may support it is not unjust to the child. If both parents and the child's interests are protected, the court usually approves the agreed amount, even if it differs from the formula.