Las Vegas Child Support Attorney Who Runs the Numbers With You
Nevada uses a statutory formula to calculate child support — and knowing how that formula applies to your specific situation before you walk into court is one of the most valuable things I can do for you. Whether you're establishing an initial order, dealing with a parent who isn't paying, or facing a change in income that makes your current order unworkable, I'll give you a clear picture of where you stand and what your options are.
How Nevada Calculates Child Support
Nevada child support is not a negotiation — it's a formula set by state statute. The court looks at each parent's gross monthly income and applies a percentage based on how many children are involved. From there, the amount adjusts based on how much time each parent spends with the children.
Ending a marriage doesn't end the parenting relationship. I help clients establish co-parenting plans that reduce ongoing conflict and give kids the stability they need — and I help enforce those plans when the other party isn't holding up their end.
The Basic Percentage Formula
Nevada law sets the base child support percentage at 18% of the paying parent's gross monthly income for one child, 25% for two children, 29% for three, and 31% for four. For five or more children, the court sets an amount it deems appropriate, but never less than the four-child figure. As a quick example: if the non-custodial parent earns $5,000 gross per month and there's one child, the starting point is $900 per month — before any custody-time adjustments are applied.
How Custody Time Affects the Number
The more time a parent spends with the children, the more of the day-to-day costs they're absorbing directly. Nevada courts account for this by reducing the base support obligation when parenting time is more evenly shared. In cases with roughly equal physical custody, the formula compares both parents' incomes and the difference between their respective obligations determines the net payment. I'll walk through exactly how this plays out in your situation during a consultation.
What Happens When a Parent Hides Income
The more time a parent spends with the children, the more of the day-to-day costs they're absorbing directly. Nevada courts account for this by reducing the base support obligation when parenting time is more evenly shared. In cases with roughly equal physical custody, the formula compares both parents' incomes and the difference between their respective obligations determines the net payment. I'll walk through exactly how this plays out in your situation during a consultation.
When the Other Parent Isn't Paying
A child support order is a court order. When a parent ignores it, there are real legal consequences — and I can help you pursue them.
Enforcement options available in Nevada include:
- Wage garnishment, which takes payments directly from the non-paying parent's paycheck before they ever see it
- Interception of state and federal tax refunds
- Suspension of driver's licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses
- Contempt of court proceedings, which can result in fines or jail time
- Liens placed on property
If your ex is behind on payments, you don't have to absorb that loss or wait for them to come around. There's a legal process, and I'll walk you through it.
Modifying a Child Support Order in Nevada
Life changes. Income changes. When it does, the law gives you a path to revisit the order — and you don't have to wait until you're in financial crisis to use it.
Nevada allows a child support modification when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. The clearest trigger is a 20% or greater change in either parent's gross monthly income. That threshold applies in both directions: if your income has dropped significantly, you may qualify to reduce your obligation. If the other parent's income has increased substantially, you may be able to seek a higher amount.
Other circumstances that can support a modification request include a change in the child's needs, a significant shift in parenting time, or a change in either parent's health insurance costs. Modification isn't failure — it's the law working exactly as it was designed to.
How Child Support and Custody Work Together
Child support and custody arrangements are closely connected — the amount of time each parent spends with the children directly affects the support calculation. If you're navigating both at the same time, it helps to have an attorney who handles them as a unified picture rather than two separate problems.
I handle both child custody and child support matters, which means I can help you understand how a proposed parenting plan affects your financial obligations before anything is finalized. Decisions made in one area have real consequences in the other, and I'll make sure you see the full picture.
Child Support Questions, Answered
How is child support calculated in Nevada?
Nevada uses a statutory percentage formula based on the paying parent's gross monthly income. The base percentage is 18% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, and 31% for four. That base amount is then adjusted based on how much parenting time each parent has with the children.Can child support be modified if my income changes?
Yes. Nevada allows a modification when there has been a substantial change in circumstances — and a 20% or greater change in either parent's gross monthly income meets that threshold. I can help you file for a modification and document the income change properly for the court.What if the other parent is hiding income to reduce child support?
Nevada courts can impute income to a parent who is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed. That means the court can assign an income figure based on the parent's work history, education, and earning capacity — rather than accepting a suspiciously low reported income at face value.What enforcement tools are available if my ex isn't paying child support?
Nevada offers several enforcement mechanisms, including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, property liens, and contempt of court proceedings. A child support order is legally binding, and there are meaningful consequences for ignoring it.Does child support cover things beyond basic living expenses?
Nevada child support orders can address more than basic support. Courts can also require contributions to medical insurance, uninsured medical expenses, and childcare costs related to employment or education. I'll make sure the order we pursue reflects the full scope of your children's needs.