From Percentage to Income-Shares

Nevada's child-support framework changed substantially in February 2020 when the state moved from a flat-percentage model to an income-shares model. The new formula better reflects the cost of raising children when parents share income — and produces meaningfully different numbers than the old guidelines for higher-earning families.

The Income-Shares Model in Plain Language

The income-shares model starts from a single number: the combined gross monthly income of both parents. The state's published schedule (NAC 425.140) maps that combined income to a baseline support obligation for the children. Each parent then pays their proportional share — if Parent A earns 60% of the combined income, Parent A is responsible for 60% of the obligation.

What Counts as Gross Monthly Income

Nevada specifically excludes means-tested benefits (TANF, SNAP, SSI). The court will, however, impute income to a parent who is voluntarily underemployed.

• Wages, salary, and tips
• Self-employment income (after ordinary business expenses)
• Bonuses and overtime (averaged)
• Investment income, rental income, royalties
• Spousal-support payments received
• Workers' compensation, unemployment, disability benefits

Adjustments and Deviations

The base obligation can be adjusted for several factors: time-sharing (different from the old days, time-sharing is now built into the formula), health insurance premiums, work-related child-care costs, extraordinary medical or educational expenses, and travel costs for parents living far apart. The court can also deviate from the schedule for specific written reasons under NAC 425.150.

Modifications and Review

Either parent can request a review of the support order every three years, or earlier if there has been a substantial change in circumstances — a job loss, a 20% income shift, a custody change, the child's emancipation. Modifications are not automatic; the court must find that the change is substantial and ongoing.