How Nevada Calculates Child Support
Nevada uses the Percentage of Income model for child support. The governing law is Nevada Revised Statutes Section 125B.070. Nevada's base calculation focuses on the paying parent's gross income alone, making it one of the most direct child support formulas in the country. The receiving parent's income is not part of the base calculation.
Nevada uses gross income rather than adjusted or net income, which means there are no tax deductions or payroll deductions to calculate before applying the formula.
The Nevada Child Support Formula
Nevada's calculation follows two steps.
Step one is identifying the paying parent's gross monthly income. Step two is multiplying that figure by the applicable percentage based on the number of children.
Nevada's percentages under NRS 125B.070 are fixed:
- 1 child: 18 percent of gross monthly income
- 2 children: 25 percent
- 3 children: 29 percent
- 4 children: 31 percent
- 5 or more children: 33 percent
A practical example: the paying parent earns $5,000 per month gross. There are two children. The obligation is 25 percent of $5,000, which is $1,250 per month. The receiving parent's income plays no role in producing that number under the base formula.
Nevada also sets a minimum monthly support amount, currently $100 per month per child, so that even low-income paying parents maintain a formal financial obligation.
Gross Income in Nevada
Nevada uses gross income before taxes and before any deductions. There is no subtraction for taxes, health insurance, or retirement contributions before applying the percentage. This is simpler than any net income state's calculation.
Nevada courts include wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, overtime, self-employment net profit, rental income, pension and retirement distributions, Social Security benefits, SSDI payments, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, and income from any other regular source.
For self-employed paying parents, Nevada uses net business profit after legitimate business expenses as the gross income figure for child support purposes.
Courts can impute income to a paying parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed based on work history, skills, and local employment conditions.
Step-by-Step: How to Use This Calculator
Step 1. Identify the paying parent's gross monthly income. This is income before taxes and before any deductions. For self-employed parents, use net profit after business expenses. Include all regular income sources.
Step 2. Identify the number of children covered by this order. The percentage is determined by this number alone.
Step 3. Multiply gross monthly income by the applicable percentage. This produces the base monthly obligation.
Step 4. Check your parenting time. Nevada has a specific adjustment when each parent has at least 40 percent of overnight time, approximately 146 overnights per year. That triggers a joint physical custody calculation that reduces the base obligation.
Step 5. Add healthcare costs. Nevada courts typically add the children's health insurance premium on top of the base percentage amount.
Step 6. Review the result and confirm the gross income figure is accurate before accepting the final number.
Parenting Time Adjustments in Nevada
Nevada's base Percentage of Income formula does not include an automatic sliding-scale credit for parenting time. However, when the parties share joint physical custody, defined as each parent having at least 40 percent of overnight time, approximately 146 overnights per year, Nevada applies a specific adjustment that considers both parents' incomes and their respective custody percentages.
Below the 40-percent threshold, the standard percentage applies with no automatic credit. Courts have discretion to deviate based on parenting time in cases that do not meet the joint custody threshold, but a deviation requires a specific court finding and is not automatic.
The 40-percent threshold is a firm line. If your parenting time is close to 146 overnights per year, an accurate count matters. Moving across that threshold triggers the joint custody adjustment and can meaningfully change the monthly obligation.
Add-On Expenses in Nevada
Nevada courts add the children's health insurance premium to the base obligation. Work-related childcare costs may also be allocated. Courts address extraordinary medical expenses and other child-specific costs through the deviation or add-on process on a case-by-case basis.
Reading Your Results
The results show the paying parent's gross monthly income, the applicable percentage, the base monthly obligation, the joint custody adjustment if applicable, add-on costs, and the final monthly total.
If both parents have similar incomes, the result may feel asymmetric compared to what an Income Shares state would produce. This is a known characteristic of the Percentage of Income model.
After You Get Your Estimate
Nevada courts follow NRS 125B.070 in all standard cases. Deviation is allowed when the guideline amount is unjust or inequitable. Courts can consider the cost of living, the receiving parent's income, each parent's financial condition, and the child's specific needs.
Modification requires a material change in circumstances. A 20 percent or more change in the calculated obligation is a commonly applied threshold. Income changes for the paying parent and shifts in parenting time past the 40-percent joint custody threshold are the most common grounds.
A licensed Nevada family law attorney can help you understand the joint custody adjustment and advise on modification options. Many offer a free initial consultation.