North Dakota Child Support Calculator
Uses ND Melson Formula variant — NDCC 14-09-09.7 with self-support allowance
Table of Contents
How North Dakota Calculates Child Support
North Dakota uses a modified Income Shares model with elements of the Melson formula, governed by NDCC Section 14-09-09.7. The Melson formula variant is distinctive because it first ensures each parent has enough income to meet their own basic self-support needs before allocating support obligations. Only the income above the self-support reserve is subject to the child support percentages.
The ND calculation starts with each parent's net income (after taxes and mandatory deductions). A self-support allowance (based on the federal poverty level) is subtracted from each parent's income. The remaining income is combined, and the basic obligation is determined from the guidelines schedule. Each parent's share is proportional to their disposable income above the self-support level.
The Melson Formula in North Dakota
The Melson formula is named after Judge Elwood F. Melson Jr. of Delaware, who developed it as an improvement over the basic Income Shares approach. North Dakota adopted a modified version that includes three key principles: (1) parents must be able to meet their own basic needs to remain productive members of society; (2) parents should not retain more income than needed while children's basic needs go unmet; and (3) children should share in any additional parental income beyond that needed for basic needs.
The self-support allowance in ND is tied to the federal poverty guidelines and adjusted annually. For 2025, the self-support allowance is approximately $1,255 per month for a single individual. After this amount is protected, the remaining income is available for child support calculations.
Net Income in North Dakota
ND uses net income: gross income from all sources minus federal and state taxes, FICA, mandatory retirement, health insurance premiums for the parent, and mandatory union dues. All income sources are included: wages, self-employment, rental, investment, pensions, Social Security, unemployment, workers' compensation, and alimony received. ND courts can impute income to voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parents.
Equal Custody Adjustments
For equal (50/50) custody, ND calculates each parent's obligation separately and offsets them. The parent with the higher income pays the difference. ND does not use a multiplier for shared custody but accounts for the equitable sharing of direct costs through the offset mechanism.
Modification and Enforcement
ND allows modification when there is a material change resulting in a difference of $75/month or more. Enforcement includes income withholding, tax interception, license suspension, contempt, liens, bank levies, credit reporting, and passport denial. ND child support continues until 18 or high school graduation (whichever is later), up to age 19.
ND deducts a self-support allowance before applying percentages, ensuring the parent can meet basic needs
North Dakota Child Support Schedule
Below is a representative sample of the North Dakota child support schedule showing basic monthly obligations:
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | 4 Children | 5 Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $258 | $388 | $444 | $481 | $513 |
| $2,500 | $378 | $569 | $651 | $705 | $751 |
| $3,500 | $469 | $705 | $798 | $868 | $931 |
| $5,000 | $590 | $885 | $1,001 | $1,091 | $1,169 |
| $7,500 | $771 | $1,149 | $1,287 | $1,412 | $1,519 |
| $10,000 | $934 | $1,385 | $1,550 | $1,703 | $1,834 |
| $15,000 | $1,212 | $1,788 | $2,007 | $2,210 | $2,384 |
| $20,000 | $1,443 | $2,101 | $2,367 | $2,611 | $2,820 |