Family Law
Reno Child Support Attorney
Nevada child-support orders, modifications, deviations, and enforcement under NRS 125B and the 2020 Nevada child-support guidelines.
Child support in Nevada changed substantially in 2020 with the new income-shares guidelines under NAC 425. The headline number is formula-driven — but the inputs (income, custody time, deviations) determine the actual obligation, and small adjustments produce meaningful differences over years.
What this practice area covers
Child-support matters Jessica handles.
- Initial child-support orders under NRS 125B and NAC 425 (income-shares guidelines)
- Income calculation — wages, self-employment, bonuses, imputed income
- Custody-time crediting — overnight calculation under the new guidelines
- Statutory deviations from the formula amount
- Child-support modifications based on changed circumstances
- Enforcement actions — wage garnishment, contempt, license suspension
- Interstate child support under UIFSA (NRS 130)
- Add-ons — childcare, health insurance, extracurriculars, medical expenses
- Self-employment income tracing for high-earner obligors
Approach
Get the inputs right
Nevada’s 2020 child-support guidelines under NAC 425 make the calculation straightforward when the inputs are clean. The fights are over the inputs: gross income for self-employed parents, imputation when earning capacity exceeds reported income, custody-time crediting, and which add-ons (daycare, health insurance, extracurriculars) belong in or out of the formula. Jessica’s practice is built on getting those inputs right at the start — because the order will follow you for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nevada child support — frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Nevada?+
Under NAC 425 (effective 2020), Nevada uses an income-shares model. Both parents’ gross monthly incomes are combined, the basic obligation from the schedule is determined, and the obligor’s share is allocated based on income proportion and custody time. Add-ons (childcare, health insurance) are split separately.
How much is child support for one child in Nevada?+
Under the 2020 guidelines, the basic obligation depends on combined parental income and custody arrangement. Typical orders for one child range from $400 to $1,500+ per month depending on income — but the formula calculation is required, not estimated.
Can I deviate from Nevada’s child-support formula?+
Yes — under NRS 125B.080 the court may deviate based on enumerated factors including special needs, costs of visitation, child’s standard of living, parent’s financial circumstances, and other relevant factors. Deviations require findings on the record.
How does joint physical custody affect child support in Nevada?+
When parents share physical custody (typically each having at least 40% of overnights), the calculation uses an offset method that compares each parent’s obligation. The higher-earning parent typically pays the difference.
Can child support be modified in Nevada?+
Yes — under NRS 125B.145, every three years on review, or sooner with proof of substantially changed circumstances (typically a 20% income change or significant custody change). Modifications are not retroactive before the date of filing.
What happens if a Nevada parent doesn’t pay child support?+
Nevada has multiple enforcement mechanisms: wage garnishment, license suspension (driver, professional, recreational), tax-refund interception, contempt of court (including possible jail), and bank-account levy. The Division of Welfare and Supportive Services administers many cases.
Schedule a consultation.
Confidential. Direct attorney access. Twenty years of Nevada family-law practice.