Child Support Attorney Las Vegas | Gastelum Attorneys

Gastelum Attorneys is a Las Vegas family law firm representing parents in child support cases throughout Clark County’s Eighth Judicial District Court. Our six attorneys handle child support establishment, modification, and enforcement under the 2020 NAC 425 framework — the regulatory regime that replaced Nevada’s old flat-percentage statutory formula. Whether you need to set up a new order, change an existing one, or collect unpaid support, our team has handled more than 5,000 family law cases in English and Spanish across Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. Parents navigating child support issues often face simultaneous child custody disputes in Las Vegas — our attorneys handle both.

Child support in Las Vegas is governed by NRS Chapter 125B and Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 425. Effective February 1, 2020, Nevada replaced its old flat-percentage system with a tiered model that applies different rates to different income brackets. Understanding how the formula actually works in 2026 — not how it worked before 2020 — is critical to protecting your family’s financial position.

To discuss your child support case, call Gastelum Attorneys at (702) 979-1455 or schedule a case evaluation online.

How Does Child Support Work in Nevada?

Child support in Nevada is a court-ordered payment from one parent to the other to help cover a child’s basic living expenses, including housing, food, healthcare, and education. Since February 1, 2020, Nevada has used a tiered percentage-of-income formula under NAC 425.140 that applies different rates to different income brackets of the obligor’s (paying parent’s) gross monthly income.

In Las Vegas and throughout Nevada, child support is typically ordered when parents divorce, separate, or when paternity is established. Either parent can request a child support order through Clark County Family Court. The court considers the number of children, each parent’s gross monthly income, the custody arrangement (primary or joint physical), health insurance costs, and childcare expenses when setting the amount.

Key points about how child support works in Nevada:

• Who pays: The non-custodial parent (the parent with less physical custody time) generally pays support to the custodial parent. In joint custody arrangements, both parents’ obligations are calculated and the higher earner pays the difference.
• Payment method: Payments are typically made through the Nevada Child Support Enforcement Program or wage garnishment.
• Duration: Child support continues until the first day of the month after the child turns 18, or 19 if still enrolled in high school full-time.
• Enforcement: Nevada has aggressive enforcement mechanisms, including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, and contempt proceedings.
• No income cap: The 2020 reform eliminated the old presumptive maximum amounts. There is currently no income ceiling on the formula brackets.

How Is Child Support Calculated in Nevada?

Child support in Nevada is calculated by applying a tiered percentage to the obligor’s gross monthly income (GMI) under NAC 425.140. The formula works like a progressive tax bracket — different rates apply to different segments of income, not a single flat percentage.

The calculation follows these steps:

1. Determine gross monthly income. Per NAC 425.025, this includes wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, tips, overtime (if consistent), self-employment income, disability benefits, unemployment benefits, Social Security benefits (including SSDI), VA disability, pension income, rental income, military allowances, workers’ compensation, and any other regular earnings before federal and state taxes. It does not include public assistance benefits like SNAP or TANF.
2. Apply the tiered rates. Use the schedule below — different percentages apply to the first $6,000, the next $4,000 ($6,001–$10,000), and any income above $10,000.
3. Adjust for joint custody, if applicable. If each parent has the child at least 146 overnights per year (40%), calculate both parents’ obligations separately and the higher earner pays the difference.
4. Consider deviations. Under NAC 425.150, the court may deviate upward or downward based on specific factors.

NAC 425.140 Tiered Schedule (Effective Feb. 1, 2020)

Example: Calculating Support for Two Children at $8,000 Gross Monthly Income

Use our free Nevada child support calculator to estimate your obligation under the current NAC 425.140 tiered formula based on your specific income and number of children.

How Much Is Child Support in Nevada?

The amount of child support in Nevada depends on the obligor’s gross monthly income and the number of children, with the tiered percentages above applied at each income bracket. Here is what monthly base support looks like at common income levels under the NAC 425.140 formula:

Note: These are base support calculations under NAC 425.140 before any court-ordered deviations. Actual amounts may differ based on custody arrangement (joint custody uses the offset formula), health insurance obligations, childcare costs, and other factors the court considers under NAC 425.150.

Use our free Nevada child support calculator to estimate your obligation based on your specific income, number of children, and custody arrangement.

How Much Is Child Support for 2 Kids in Nevada?

Child support for two children in Nevada is calculated under the NAC 425.140 tiered formula: 22% of the first $6,000 of gross monthly income, plus 11% of income from $6,001 to $10,000, plus 6% of income above $10,000.

Examples at common income levels for two children:

• $5,000/month gross: 22% × $5,000 = $1,100/month
• $8,000/month gross: 22% × $6,000 + 11% × $2,000 = $1,320 + $220 = $1,540/month
• $12,000/month gross: 22% × $6,000 + 11% × $4,000 + 6% × $2,000 = $1,320 + $440 + $120 = $1,880/month

The court can deviate from these amounts based on factors like the children’s special medical needs, educational expenses, the cost of health insurance, work-related childcare, or the relative incomes of both parents. The tiered rates produce a starting calculation, not necessarily the final order.

What Are the Child Support Percentages in Nevada?

The child support percentages in Nevada are set by NAC 425.140 and applied as a tiered structure to the obligor’s gross monthly income:

• 1 child: 16% of first $6,000 / 8% of $6,001–$10,000 / 4% of income above $10,000
• 2 children: 22% / 11% / 6%
• 3 children: 26% / 13% / 6%
• 4 children: 28% / 14% / 7%
• Each additional child beyond 4: Add 2% to Tier 1, 1% to Tier 2, and 0.5% to Tier 3

This tiered percentage system replaced Nevada’s old flat-percentage statutory formula (which was 18% for one child, 25% for two, etc.) on February 1, 2020. The structure mirrors a progressive tax bracket — each segment of income is taxed at the rate for its bracket, not at a single flat rate. Lower-income parents pay a smaller effective percentage, while higher-income parents contribute proportionally more.

Do You Pay Child Support With 50/50 Custody in Nevada?

Yes, you can still pay child support with 50/50 custody in Nevada. When parents share joint physical custody — defined under NAC 425.115 as each parent having the child at least 146 overnights per year (approximately 40%) — Nevada uses an offset calculation. Both parents’ child support obligations are calculated separately under the tiered formula, and the parent with the higher obligation pays the difference to the other.

For example, if Parent A earns $6,000/month and Parent B earns $4,000/month with one child:

• Parent A’s obligation: 16% × $6,000 = $960
• Parent B’s obligation: 16% × $4,000 = $640
• Parent A pays the difference: $960 − $640 = $320/month to Parent B

If both parents earn approximately the same amount, the offset could result in little or no child support being exchanged. Equal custody time does not automatically mean zero child support — the income difference is what drives the calculation. If incomes are identical, the calculation results in $0 base support owed.

Nevada Child Support Guidelines (NAC 425)

Nevada’s child support guidelines are codified in Chapter 425 of the Nevada Administrative Code and provide the framework courts use to calculate and award support. The 2020 reform shifted these rules from statutes (NRS 125B.070 flat percentages) to administrative regulations (NAC 425), allowing future updates through the regulatory process rather than legislative action. Additional refinements were adopted in late 2024.

The Nevada child support guidelines address:

• Gross income definition (NAC 425.025): Includes wages, commissions, bonuses, self-employment earnings, rental income, Social Security benefits, SSDI, VA disability, military allowances, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and investment returns. Excludes SNAP, TANF, and other public assistance.
• Imputed income (NAC 425.125): If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed without good cause, the court can impute income based on earning capacity, work history, education, and available job opportunities. The 2020 update removed the old “purpose of avoiding support” requirement.
• Custody offset (NAC 425.115): Joint custody calculations require both parents’ obligations to be determined and the higher amount offset against the lower.
• Child care costs (NAC 425.130): Reasonable work-related child care must be considered and equitably divided between parents.
• Medical support (NAC 425.135): Every order must specify how medical insurance for the child will be provided.
• Deviation factors (NAC 425.150): Specific factors a court may consider when ordering an amount above or below the formula calculation.
• Incarceration (NAC 425.155): Income cannot be imputed to an incarcerated parent, and incarceration cannot be treated as voluntary unemployment.
• Total support obligation (2024 update): Courts must combine base support with health insurance, childcare, and other mandatory costs into a single total support order.

When Can the Court Deviate From the Child Support Formula?

Nevada courts can deviate from the standard child support formula when applying the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate. Under NAC 425.150, the judge must consider specific factors before ordering an amount above or below the guideline calculation, and must state the reasons for the deviation on the record.

Factors that may justify a deviation include:

• The cost of health insurance for the child
• The cost of childcare necessary for the custodial parent’s employment or education
• Special educational needs of the child
• The age of the child
• The obligor’s legal obligation to support other children or a spouse
• The value of services contributed by either parent
• Any public assistance paid to support the child
• Expenses reasonably related to the pregnancy and delivery of the child
• The cost of transportation for visitation (per the 2024 Martinez v. Martinez decision, this must now be considered as part of the support analysis)
• The amount of time the child spends with each parent
• The relative income of both households
• The obligor’s ability to pay
• Any other necessary expenses for the benefit of the child

If the court orders an amount that deviates from the guidelines, it must state the reasons for the deviation on the record. A Las Vegas child support attorney can present evidence supporting an upward or downward deviation based on your family’s circumstances.

Child Support Modification in Nevada

A child support order in Nevada can be modified when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Under NRS 125B.145, either parent can request a modification by filing a motion with the court that originally issued the order.

Common grounds for modifying child support in Nevada include:

• Significant income change: A substantial increase or decrease in either parent’s income (typically 20% or more)
• Job loss or involuntary unemployment: Being laid off, fired, or disabled (voluntary unemployment generally does not qualify)
• Change in custody arrangement: If the child begins spending significantly more time with one parent
• Child’s changed needs: New medical conditions, educational requirements, or special needs
• Remarriage or new children: New financial obligations may affect ability to pay (note: a new spouse’s income is not included in the calculation)
• Cost of living changes: Significant changes in housing, healthcare, or childcare costs
• Incarceration: The paying parent being incarcerated for more than 30 days (income cannot be imputed during incarceration per NAC 425.155)

Nevada also allows for automatic three-year reviews. Either parent can request a review of the child support order every three years without showing a change in circumstances under NRS 125B.145. This review compares the current order to what the guidelines would produce based on current income.

When Does Child Support End in Nevada?

Child support in Nevada ends on the first day of the month after the child turns 18 years old, or at age 19 if the child is still enrolled in high school full-time. Under NRS 125B.120, the obligation terminates automatically at the age of majority unless the court order specifies otherwise. The 2024 update clarified the exact termination date as the first day of the month after the qualifying birthday.

Child support may also end earlier or under different circumstances:

• Emancipation: If the child becomes legally emancipated before age 18
• Marriage: If the child marries before age 18
• Military service: If the child enlists in active military duty
• Death: If either the child or the paying parent dies
• Adoption: If the child is adopted by another person, the original parent’s obligation terminates

How to terminate child support in Nevada: Even when the child reaches the age of majority, child support does not always stop automatically. The paying parent should file a motion to terminate the obligation to prevent continued wage garnishment and ensure the order is officially closed. Any arrears (past-due amounts) that accrued before termination are still owed and enforceable.

Nevada does not require parents to pay child support for adult children attending college. Unlike some states, there is no provision in Nevada law extending support beyond age 18/19 for higher education expenses.

How to File for Child Support in Nevada

To file for child support in Nevada, you can either file a complaint through Clark County Family Court or apply through the Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) Child Support Enforcement Program. The court process provides more control over the outcome and allows an attorney to advocate for your interests.

Steps to file for child support in Las Vegas:

1. Establish paternity (if not married). If the parents were not married, paternity must be established through a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity or a court-ordered genetic test before child support can be ordered.
2. File a complaint for child support. Submit the complaint to the Clark County Family Court at the Family Courts and Services Center, 601 N. Pecos Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89101.
3. Serve the other parent. The respondent must be legally served with the complaint and summons.
4. Financial disclosure. Both parents must complete a Financial Disclosure Form (FDF) detailing income, assets, debts, and monthly expenses.
5. Court hearing or settlement. The court reviews both parents’ financials and applies the NAC 425 formula. Parents can negotiate an agreement, or the judge will set the amount.
6. Court order issued. The judge signs the child support order, which becomes enforceable immediately.

A child support attorney in Las Vegas can file on your behalf, ensure all financial disclosures are complete and accurate, and advocate for a fair support amount at the hearing. Call (702) 979-1455 or contact us online to get started.

Child Support Enforcement in Nevada

Nevada has aggressive enforcement mechanisms for child support orders. If a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, the custodial parent or the state can pursue enforcement through multiple channels under NRS 125B.140 and related statutes.

Enforcement tools available in Nevada include:

• Wage garnishment: The most common method. The employer deducts child support directly from the obligor’s paycheck.
• Tax refund interception: Federal and state tax refunds can be intercepted to satisfy past-due child support.
• License suspension: Nevada can suspend the obligor’s driver’s license, professional licenses, and recreational licenses for non-payment.
• Bank account levy: Funds can be seized directly from the non-paying parent’s bank account.
• Property liens: A lien can be placed on real estate, vehicles, and other property owned by the delinquent parent.
• Contempt of court: The non-paying parent can be held in contempt, which may result in fines or jail time.
• Passport denial: If child support arrears exceed $2,500, the federal government can deny or revoke the obligor’s passport.
• Credit reporting: Delinquent child support is reported to credit agencies, affecting the obligor’s credit score.

Note: Past-due child support accrues interest in Nevada. Verify the current statutory interest rate with your attorney before relying on any specific figure — rates and accrual rules are subject to legislative and regulatory adjustment.

If your former spouse or co-parent is not paying child support as ordered, a Las Vegas child support attorney can file a motion for contempt and pursue the full enforcement remedies available under Nevada law. Call (702) 979-1455 or contact us online.

Nevada Child Support Laws (2025–2026 Updates)

Nevada child support laws are governed by two main bodies of law: NRS Chapter 125B (statutory framework) and NAC Chapter 425 (implementing regulations and the actual calculation formula). The 2020 reform shifted detailed calculation rules from statutes to regulations, allowing future updates through the regulatory process. Additional refinements were adopted in late 2024.

Key Nevada child support laws and recent changes:

• NAC 425.140 — Tiered formula (effective Feb 1, 2020): Replaced the old flat percentages with the current tiered structure (16/8/4 for one child, 22/11/6 for two, etc.). Eliminated the old presumptive maximum caps.
• NAC 425.115 — Joint custody offset: Defines joint physical custody as 146+ overnights per year (40%) and requires the offset calculation.
• NAC 425.125 — Imputed income: The 2020 reform removed the old “purpose of avoiding support” requirement. Courts now consider general earning capacity.
• NAC 425.155 — Incarceration: Income cannot be imputed to an incarcerated parent.
• 2024 regulatory updates: Clarified the distinction between “base support” (formula calculation) and “total support” (base plus health insurance, childcare, transportation, and other mandatory add-ons). Required courts to issue a single combined order.
• Martinez v. Martinez (2024): The Nevada Supreme Court clarified that transportation costs related to visitation must be considered as part of the child support analysis under NAC 425.150, rather than assigned to one party without considering the parties’ finances and existing support obligations.
• NRS 125B.080(4) — Minimum support: $100 per child per month minimum unless the court makes a written finding that the obligor is unable to pay even that amount.
• NRS 125B.120 — Duration: Support ends the first day of the month after the child turns 18, or 19 if still in high school.
• NRS 125B.145 — Modification: Allows modification on substantial change in circumstances or through automatic three-year review.
• NRS Chapter 126 — Paternity: Governs establishment of paternity for unmarried parents.

The most consequential change since 2020 is the elimination of the income cap. Under the old statutory formula, child support was capped at presumptive maximum amounts. Under the current tiered formula, there is no ceiling — higher-income parents can owe substantially more than they would have before 2020.

Nevada Child Support Calculator

Our free Nevada child support calculator applies the current NAC 425.140 tiered formula to estimate your monthly obligation based on your gross income, the number of children, and your custody arrangement (primary or joint physical).

The calculator provides a starting estimate based on the statutory tiered percentages. The actual amount ordered by a Las Vegas family court judge may differ based on:

• Your custody arrangement (primary vs. joint physical custody — joint custody requires the offset calculation)
• Health insurance costs for the child
• Work-related childcare expenses
• Extraordinary medical or educational needs
• Transportation costs for visitation (per Martinez v. Martinez)
• Deviation factors under NAC 425.150

For an accurate assessment of your child support obligation or entitlement, speak with a Las Vegas child support attorney who can analyze your full financial picture and custody arrangement.

Why Hire a Child Support Attorney in Las Vegas?

While it is possible to handle a child support case without an attorney, having an experienced Las Vegas child support attorney can significantly affect how income, custody time, deviations, and enforcement issues are presented to the court. Calculations may seem straightforward, but issues like imputed income, deviations, hidden self-employment income, the new tiered structure’s interaction with high-income brackets, and interstate enforcement create complexity that benefits from legal representation.

A child support attorney at Gastelum Attorneys can help you:

• Apply the correct NAC 425.140 tiered formula — many parents and even some attorneys still rely on outdated pre-2020 calculations
• Ensure accurate income calculation. Identify all sources of the other parent’s income, including bonuses, side businesses, and investment returns that may not appear on tax returns.
• Request appropriate deviations under NAC 425.150. Present evidence for upward or downward adjustments based on your child’s needs or your financial circumstances.
• Modify existing orders. File for modification when your income changes, you lose your job, or your custody arrangement shifts.
• Enforce unpaid support. Pursue contempt of court, wage garnishment, license suspension, and other remedies when the other parent is not paying.
• Handle interstate cases. If one parent lives outside Nevada, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) adds procedural complexity.
• Defend against imputed income arguments. If the other side argues you are voluntarily underemployed under NAC 425.125, an attorney can counter with evidence of your actual earning capacity.

Gastelum Attorneys has six family law attorneys serving Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. Our bilingual team (English and Spanish) has handled more than 5,000 family law cases. To discuss your child support matter, call (702) 979-1455 or schedule a case evaluation online.

Frequently Asked Questions: Child Support in Las Vegas

Meet Managing Attorney Jennifer Setters

Jennifer Setters, J.D. is a first-generation Mexican-American and long-time Las Vegas resident. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from UNLV and her J.D. from the William S. Boyd School of Law. Fluent in English and Spanish, Jennifer founded Gastelum Attorneys in 2018 to help Nevada families navigate custody, divorce, and support matters with diligence and strategic focus. Under her leadership, the firm has grown to six attorneys and handled more than 5,000 cases across Clark County. Jennifer is licensed to practice law in Nevada (Nevada Bar No. 13126).

This page was reviewed by the family law attorneys at Gastelum Attorneys and reflects Nevada law as of May 4, 2026. Laws change, and every case is different. This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice for your specific situation.

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