Reviewed by Jennifer Setters, Esq. · Updated February 2026
Quick Answer: Nevada Child Support Calculator (2026)
To use Nevada’s child support calculator, enter each parent’s
gross monthly income, the number of children,
and the custody type (primary or joint). Nevada uses a
tiered percentage formula under
NAC 425.140:
16% of the first $6,000/month for one child, 8% of $6,001–$10,000,
and 4% above $10,000. Joint custody uses an offset — both parents’
amounts are calculated and the difference is paid by the higher earner.
There is no maximum cap.
Last reviewed: March 2026 by
Jennifer Setters, J.D.,
Nevada Bar #15765 · Clark County Family Court ·
Eighth Judicial District
Use this Nevada child support calculator to estimate what you
will likely pay or receive before going to court in 2026. Enter each parent’s
income, number of children, and custody type above for an instant estimate
based on Nevada’s current tiered formula under
NAC 425.140.
This child support calculator for Nevada reflects the 2020
formula update and the 2024 Martinez v. Martinez transportation ruling —
the two most significant changes affecting Clark County calculations today.
For the official state tool, see the
Nevada Child Support Guidelines Calculator
maintained by the court system, or the
Nevada DWSS Child Support Guidelines page.
- Nevada uses a tiered percentage-of-income formula under
NAC 425.140 — not a flat rate and not a simple percentage of income. - Joint custody (each parent has at least 40% of overnights) uses an
offset calculation where the higher earner pays the
difference between the two obligations. - Courts can deviate from the formula under
NRS 125B.080
for special needs, childcare, travel expenses, and other factors. - There is no maximum cap on child support since
February 1, 2020 — the old limits under
NRS 125B.070
were eliminated. - Under Martinez v. Martinez (2024), transportation
costs must be included in the child support order itself,
not handled separately.
A Nevada child support calculator estimates the monthly obligation one parent
owes based on each parent’s gross monthly income (GMI), number of children,
and custody arrangement, using the tiered formula established by
NAC 425.140,
effective February 1, 2020. The calculator applies in all Clark County Family
Court proceedings in the Eighth Judicial District, including divorce, paternity,
and custody modification cases. It replaced the prior flat-percentage structure
and income caps under
NRS 125B.070.
- 1 child: 16% of first $6,000/mo + 8% of $6,001–$10,000 + 4% above $10,000
- 2 children: 22% + 11% + 6% (same income tiers)
- 3 children: 26% + 13% + 6% (same income tiers)
- 4+ children: Add 2% (tier 1) / 1% (tiers 2–3) per additional child beyond 3
- Joint custody: Calculate both parents’ obligations → subtract lower from higher
- No maximum cap — eliminated February 1, 2020
Source: Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 425.
How the Nevada Child Support Calculator Works in 2026
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 2020
update removed all presumptive caps under
NRS 125B.070,
meaning higher-income parents can owe significantly more than under the old rules.
To use the child support calculator for Nevada correctly, you need three inputs:
each parent’s gross monthly income (GMI), the
number of children subject to the order, and the
custody arrangement (primary or joint physical custody).
Parents going through a divorce in Las Vegas or a custody dispute
must provide this information on a
Financial Disclosure Form filed with
the Eighth Judicial District Court (Clark County Family Division).
How to Calculate Child Support in Nevada — Step by Step (2026)
-
Determine each parent’s gross monthly income (GMI) —
include all income before taxes: wages, bonuses, commissions, rental income,
investment income, alimony received, and retirement payments. -
Identify the custody arrangement — primary physical custody
(one parent has 60%+ of overnights) or joint physical custody (each parent
has at least 40% of overnights under NAC 425.100). -
Apply the tiered formula to the paying parent’s GMI —
16%/8%/4% for one child across the three income tiers (adjust for 2–4+
children per the table above). -
For joint custody, run the formula for both parents —
then subtract the lower obligation from the higher. The parent with the
larger obligation pays the difference (offset method). -
Add supplemental expenses — health insurance premiums,
unreimbursed medical costs, and childcare are shared proportionally on
top of the base amount. -
Check for deviation factors — under
NRS 125B.080,
courts may adjust the formula amount based on special needs, travel costs,
or other statutory factors. Consult a
Las Vegas child support attorney
if deviation factors may apply.
Nevada Child Support Percentage Table (NAC 425.140 — 2026)
| Income Tier | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | 4+ Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First $6,000/mo | 16% | 22% | 26% | +2% per child |
| $6,001–$10,000/mo | 8% | 11% | 13% | +1% per child |
| Over $10,000/mo | 4% | 6% | 6% | +1% per child |
There are no caps under the current 2026 formula. Before February 1, 2020,
Nevada imposed presumptive maximum amounts under
NRS 125B.070.
The tiered system removed those limits permanently.
Nevada Child Support Calculator Examples (2026)
- $3,000/mo income, 1 child, primary custody: $3,000 × 16% = $480/mo
- $5,000/mo income, 1 child, primary custody: $5,000 × 16% = $800/mo
- $8,000/mo income, 1 child, primary custody: ($6,000 × 16%) + ($2,000 × 8%) = $1,120/mo
- $12,000/mo income, 1 child, primary custody: ($6,000 × 16%) + ($4,000 × 8%) + ($2,000 × 4%) = $1,400/mo
- $8,000 vs $5,000, 1 child, joint custody: $1,120 − $800 = $320/mo (higher earner pays)
What Counts as Gross Monthly Income in Nevada?
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 the Nevada Child Support Calculator
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.
Courts review Schedule C (sole proprietors), K-1 (partnerships and S-corps),
and corporate tax returns. IRS-allowed deductions — vehicle depreciation, home
office deductions, equipment write-offs — may be added back if the court
determines they do not reflect real out-of-pocket costs.
For parents with fluctuating income — seasonal workers, commission earners, gig
economy workers, business owners — courts typically average income over
12 to 24 months. In high-conflict cases, a judge may order a
forensic accounting review. If you suspect the other parent is
running 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.
Primary Custody vs. Joint Custody: Which Formula Applies?
The custody arrangement determines which formula the Nevada child support
calculator 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. 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. The lower amount is subtracted from the higher —
the parent with the larger obligation pays the difference
(the offset method).
Example: Joint Custody Child Support Calculation
Parent B earns $5,000/month.
Joint custody of one child.
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 result: $1,120 − $800 =
$320/month
Parent A pays Parent B $320 per month in child support.
Example: Primary Custody Child Support 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 factored in.
Need help with a child support calculation in Las Vegas?
Our
child support attorneys can review your numbers, identify deviation
grounds, and represent you in Clark County Family Court.
When Courts Deviate from the Nevada Child Support Formula
The Nevada child support calculator produces a presumptive amount —
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 statutory 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 required 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 faces 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 either parent
relocated outside Clark County, this ruling could significantly affect your
calculation.
Under Matkulak v. Davis, 138 Nev. Adv. Op. 61 (Sept. 1, 2022),
the Nevada Supreme Court established that any upward deviation based on the
relative income of the households under NAC 425.150(1)(f) cannot exceed the
total obligation the other party would owe if roles were reversed. Courts can
increase support for high-income parents, but there is a built-in cap on
extreme upward deviations.
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, reducing 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.
Factors the court considers: education level, professional licenses,
employment history, prior earnings, physical and mental health, the local job
market, and available work in their field.
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 matching the parent’s skills,
testimony from a vocational evaluator, and evidence of lifestyle inconsistent
with reported income.
Both parents must file a
Financial Disclosure Form (FDF)
in any case involving child support. Inaccurate or incomplete disclosures can
result in sanctions, recalculated support, and contempt of court charges.
Additional Costs on Top of the Calculator Amount
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 paying parent has 30 days to send proof,
and the other parent has 30 days to reimburse or object in writing. -
Childcare: Reasonable 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 in Nevada
Either parent can request a modification 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 current
NAC 425 formula applies to all modifications regardless of when the original
order was entered.
Unpaid child support accumulates with interest. Enforcement options in Nevada
include wage garnishment, tax refund interception, driver’s license suspension,
passport denial, liens on property, and contempt of court. If a parent owes
more than $10,000 in back support, non-payment is a
Category C felony punishable by 1–5 years in state prison.
Use the calculator above for a preliminary estimate, but the final court
amount depends on how income is classified, whether deviation factors apply,
and how additional expenses like insurance and childcare are allocated. A
Las Vegas child support attorney
can identify grounds for adjustment and represent you in
Clark County Family Court.
Reviewed by Jennifer Setters, J.D.
Nevada Bar #15765 · Founder & Managing Attorney,
Gastelum Attorneys ·
UNLV Criminal Justice B.S. · Boyd School of Law J.D. ·
Clark County Family Court · Eighth Judicial District ·
Last updated: March 2026
and spousal support, use our
Nevada Alimony Calculator to estimate both obligations
together — child support and alimony are frequently ordered simultaneously in
Las Vegas divorce cases.
Frequently Asked Questions — Nevada Child Support Calculator (2026)
How much is child support in Nevada for one child in 2026?
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% above $10,000.
A parent earning $5,000/month owes $800/month. A parent earning $8,000/month
owes $1,120/month. In joint custody, both parents’ obligations are calculated
and the lower is subtracted from the higher.
What is the most accurate Nevada child support calculator?
The most accurate tool is the
official Nevada Child Support Guidelines
Calculator maintained by the state court system, which applies
NAC 425.140 directly. The
Nevada DWSS Child Support Guidelines page
also provides the official formula documentation. Attorney-built calculators
like this one estimate the same formula and include legal context about
deviation factors and supplemental expenses that the official tool does not
explain. For court-ready numbers, have a
child support attorney
verify the calculation.
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, removing the old limits under
NRS 125B.070.
Under current NAC 425 guidelines there is no ceiling. Percentages decrease at
higher income tiers but obligations continue to increase with income.
What is the 30/30 rule for child support in Nevada?
The 30/30 rule applies to unreimbursed medical expenses. The parent who pays
an out-of-pocket medical cost must send proof within 30 days. The other parent
has 30 days to reimburse their proportional share or file a written objection.
Most Clark County Family Court judges include this 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 if applying the formula would be unjust.
The nine statutory factors include the child’s special needs, extraordinary
medical expenses, childcare costs, other support obligations, and transportation
costs per Martinez v. Martinez (2024). Under Matkulak v. Davis,
138 Nev. Adv. Op. 61 (Sept. 1, 2022), any upward deviation based on relative
household income cannot exceed what the other parent would owe if roles were
reversed.
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) triggers the offset calculation. Both parents’ obligations
are calculated separately, then the smaller is subtracted from the larger. The
parent with the higher obligation pays the difference — usually producing a
lower payment than primary custody.
What if the other parent is hiding income?
Nevada courts 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 local job market. The
court may order a vocational evaluation or forensic accounting review. Both
parents must file a
Financial Disclosure Form;
inaccurate disclosures can result in contempt charges.
How is self-employment income calculated for child support?
Self-employed parents’ GMI equals gross revenue minus legitimate business
expenses. Courts review Schedule C, K-1, and corporate tax returns. IRS
deductions like depreciation may be added back if they don’t reflect real
out-of-pocket costs. For fluctuating income, courts average earnings over
12 to 24 months.
When does child support end in Nevada?
Child support 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.
Can parents agree to a different child support amount?
Yes. Parents can stipulate to an amount that differs from the formula, but
the judge must approve it. If either parent later requests a modification,
the court applies the current NAC 425 guidelines regardless of any prior
agreement.
How is child support different from alimony in Nevada?
Child support uses a statutory formula and goes to the custodial parent for
the child’s benefit.
Alimony (spousal support) has no
fixed formula — it is determined by the court under NRS 125.150 based on
marriage length, each spouse’s income, and standard of living. A parent in a
Las Vegas divorce may owe both simultaneously. Estimate
spousal support separately with our
Nevada Alimony Calculator.
How do I file for child support in Las Vegas?
Request child support as part of a
custody case or
divorce filing in the Eighth Judicial District Court
(Clark County Family Division). Alternatively, apply through the District
Attorney’s Family Support Division (Child Support Enforcement), which can
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.
How often can child support be modified in Nevada?
Under
NRS 125B.145,
either parent may seek a modification every three years without showing a
change in circumstances. Outside that three-year window, a parent must
demonstrate that gross monthly income has changed by 20% or more, or that
the custody arrangement has materially changed.
Does Nevada child support cover college expenses?
No. Nevada’s statutory child support obligation ends at age 18 (or 19 if
still in high school). Courts cannot order a parent to pay college tuition
or expenses unless both parents agree to include it in a settlement agreement
that the court approves.
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