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Nevada child support: the NAC 425 tiers, joint physical custody, and a worked example

Since February 1, 2020, Nevada's guidelines have lived in the state's administrative code, chapter 425 of the NAC. Each parent's obligation is a percentage of that parent's own gross monthly income, with lower rates on income above $6,000 and again above $10,000. When parents share joint physical custody, both obligations are calculated and offset.

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At a glance

ModelTiered percentage of the obligor's own gross monthly income (NAC 425.140)
First $6,00016% for one child, 22% for two, 26% for three, 28% for four, plus 2% for each additional child
Higher tiers$6,000 to $10,000: 8%, 11%, 13%, 14%; above $10,000: 4%, 6%, 6%, 7%
Joint physical custodyAt least 40% of the time each: both obligations computed, the higher pays the difference
Medical supportRequired in every order; premiums reasonable at no more than 5% of gross income
Support endsAge 18, or high school graduation or 19 (whichever first) if still in high school
ReviewEvery 3 years on request, or any time on changed circumstances; a 20% income change counts

Gross income and the NAC 425.140 tiers

Nevada starts from gross monthly income, before taxes. It includes wages and substantial, consistent overtime, interest and investment income, Social Security disability and retirement benefits, pensions, workers' compensation that replaces income, unemployment, military allowances and veterans' benefits, alimony, and voluntary contributions to retirement or deferred compensation plans. It does not include child support received, foster or kinship care payments, SNAP, county cash benefits or SSI.

The obligation is figured on the paying parent's income alone, in three slices. For two children, it is 22% of the first $6,000, 11% of income between $6,000 and $10,000, and 6% of income above $10,000. The other parent's income does not change a primary custody order, though the relative income of the two households is one of the listed reasons a court may adjust it.

Parents may stipulate to a different amount, but only in writing that states both gross incomes, what the guidelines would require, and that the children's basic needs are met, and only if the receiving parent is not on public assistance. The court can reject a stipulation that was coerced or does not meet the children's needs.

Worked example: Nevada

  1. Parent A grosses $6,000 a month and Parent B $4,000, with two children. Both incomes fall entirely within the first $6,000 tier.
  2. At 22% for two children, Parent A's obligation is $1,320 a month and Parent B's would be $880. Together those come to $2,200, 22% of the $10,000 the parents earn combined.
  3. If Parent B has primary physical custody, only Parent A's figure counts: Parent A pays $1,320 a month, $15,840 a year. Any income Parent A earned above $6,000 would be added at 11%, and above $10,000 at 6%.
  4. CoreParent's calculator applies Nevada's tiers to each parent's gross income and offsets them under joint physical custody, but it does not apply the low-income schedule, so check a low-income case against the official Nevada guidelines calculator.

This is an estimate, not legal advice. Figures are rounded to the dollar and leave out the insurance, childcare, and other adjustments your case may have. Try your own numbers in CoreParent's calculator, then confirm with the state's official calculator.

Joint physical custody: the offset

Nevada's self-help center describes joint physical custody as each parent having the children at least 40% of the time, and primary physical custody as one parent having them more than 60%. With primary custody, the other parent is the obligor. With joint physical custody, NAC 425.115 requires both obligations to be calculated and offset, and the parent with the higher obligation pays the difference.

In the example, if Parent A has 146 overnights or an even split, Parent A pays $1,320 minus $880, about $440 a month. Because the formula has no sliding scale between 40% and 50%, the amount is the same anywhere in that range. If several children are shared differently, each parent's obligation is figured for the children they owe support for, then offset.

Child care, medical support and adjustments

The court must consider reasonable child care paid by either parent and divide it equitably. Every order must provide for the child's medical support, and a premium is reasonable when it costs no more than 5% of the responsible parent's gross monthly income and the plan's copays and deductibles are reasonable too.

With specific findings, a court can adjust any obligation for a child's special educational needs, a parent's legal duty to support others, the value of services either parent contributes, public assistance paid for the child, visitation transportation costs, the relative income of both households, other necessary expenses, and the obligor's ability to pay. Social Security dependent benefits a child receives because of a parent can be subtracted from that parent's obligation.

The low-income schedule

When a parent's total economic circumstances limit the ability to pay the regular percentage, the court uses a low-income schedule tied to the federal poverty guidelines, which the Administrative Office of the Courts publishes by March 31 each year. The 2026 court worksheet points parents earning under $1,995 a month to that chart. Below its lowest level, the court sets an amount that balances the parent's self-support with the child's needs. Income is never imputed to a parent who is incarcerated or involuntarily institutionalized.

Imputed income

If a court finds a parent underemployed or unemployed without good cause, it may impute income, considering the parent's assets, residence, work history, skills, education, literacy, age, health, criminal record and other barriers, record of seeking work, the local job market and prevailing local wages.

When support ends

Support ends at 18, or for a child still in high school, at graduation or 19, whichever comes first. If an order covers several children without a separate amount for each, it does not drop by itself when one ages out: a parent has to file a motion or stipulation, and the change runs from the filing date. Support can continue past majority for a child with a qualifying disability that began before 18.

Review and arrears

Either parent can ask for a review every three years, and orders can be reviewed at any time on changed circumstances; a change of 20% or more in either parent's gross monthly income is deemed enough. Incarceration of 180 days or more is also a substantial change. Past-due support is a judgment that cannot be reduced retroactively, and the court adds interest at the statutory judgment rate.

Documents you will need

Nevada child support FAQ

What percentage of income is child support in Nevada?

On the first $6,000 of the paying parent's gross monthly income: 16% for one child, 22% for two, 26% for three and 28% for four. Lower rates apply above $6,000 and above $10,000.

How much is child support for 2 kids in Nevada?

A parent grossing $6,000 a month owes 22% of it, $1,320 a month, under primary custody. Income above $6,000 is added at 11%.

How does joint custody affect child support in Nevada?

Both parents' obligations are calculated and offset; the parent who owes more pays the difference. In our example that is about $440 a month.

When does child support end in Nevada?

At 18, or at high school graduation or 19, whichever comes first, if the child is still in high school.

Can Nevada child support be modified?

Yes. A review is available every three years, or any time circumstances change; a 20% change in a parent's gross monthly income qualifies.

Next steps

Sources

Verified against these official sources in October 2026:

Child support in every other state

All states

This is general educational information, not legal advice, and official figures change. Last verified: October 2026. Consult a licensed family-law attorney in Nevada.