If you’re navigating child support for the first time—or considering a change to an existing order—clarity is everything. You want to be sure your child is provided for, the numbers are accurate, and the order is practical for real life. As a child support attorney in Las Vegas, my approach is simple: replace anxiety with a plan grounded in Nevada’s law, solid documentation, and solutions that actually fit your family.
Below, I’ll walk you through how Nevada calculates support, what “gross monthly income” includes, how and when judges deviate from the guideline number, what to expect with health insurance and childcare, enforcement basics, and how modifications work when life changes.
1) The legal framework: Nevada’s statutes and guidelines
Nevada’s child support system blends statutes in NRS Chapter 125B with detailed administrative guidelines in NAC Chapter 425. The statutes establish the duty to support and set the rules for establishing, enforcing, and modifying orders; the NAC sets out the calculation methodology and deviation factors courts use to arrive at the final number.
Courts, attorneys, and parents typically rely on the Nevada Child Support Guidelines Calculator for an estimate, but remember: it’s an aid, not a substitute for a judge’s findings or a properly documented stipulation.
2) What counts as “gross monthly income”?
Most child support questions start here. Nevada law uses gross monthly income—not net—capturing a wide range of sources (wages, tips, bonuses, commissions, unemployment, retirement, investment income, and more). The Nevada Supreme Court’s self-help worksheet gives a practical overview and helps you list all income streams before you estimate. Bring this to your consult; it saves time and improves accuracy.
Practice tip: If your income is variable (commissions, overtime, rideshare, tips, or sporadic 1099 work), gather 12–24 months of history. We often use reasonable averaging and, when helpful, year-to-date pay summaries to present a fair, supportable figure.
3) How the guideline amount is determined
Using NAC 425, courts determine a guideline obligation based on each parent’s gross monthly income and the type of custody (joint or primary). While the NAC text is technical, the big picture is this: the guideline is the starting point, and the court may adjust the number for specific, documented reasons (see “deviations” below).
Parents (and many judges) use the Guidelines Calculator to estimate obligations and run scenarios. It’s extremely useful for settlement discussions; we’ll still double-check the inputs, verify income, and tailor any proposed order to your facts so it’s enforceable and clear.
4) Deviations: when the court moves away from the guideline
Nevada allows deviations from the guideline obligation when justified by evidence and explained with specific findings. The deviation factors in NAC 425.150 include, among others: special educational or medical needs; the value of services one parent contributes; public assistance; transportation costs for visitation; the relative income of both households; other necessary child expenses; and the obligor’s ability to pay. Courts may also account for certain federal benefits received by the child tied to a parent’s disability or old-age Social Security.
What this means in practice:
- If your child needs therapy, tutoring, or specialized programs, bring invoices and provider letters—we can ask the court to reflect those costs.
- If long-distance visits require airfare or long drives, we can request a transportation deviation or cost-sharing that makes the schedule workable.
- If one home bears significantly higher fixed costs (for example, keeping the child in the same school district), that context may support a modest adjustment with proper documentation.
5) Health insurance, unreimbursed medical, and childcare
Support orders typically address health insurance (who carries it) and unreimbursed medical (how to share deductibles, co-pays, therapy, dental/orthodontia, vision). They also need to address work-related childcare. While the precise split can vary, the court’s goal is to allocate these child-specific costs in a way that is predictable and enforceable. Nevada’s child support materials and policy guides emphasize documenting real costs and keeping receipts—your future self will thank you.
Pro tip: Build clear timelines into your decree—e.g., “Parent A shall send proof of payment within 14 days; Parent B shall reimburse within 14 days of receipt”—to avoid “he said, she said” later.
6) Stipulations: settling child support the right way
Parents may stipulate to a support figure, but courts are not rubber stamps. A judge can reject a stipulation that doesn’t meet the child’s needs or appears coerced. The DWSS guidelines manual notes that even a technically compliant stipulation can be scrutinized if it looks unfair or contrary to the child’s interests. The safest path is a well-documented stipulation tied to the guidelines and (if applicable) clear deviation findings
When we settle support, we attach a completed worksheet, list assumptions (income used, insurance costs, childcare), and, if deviating, include written findings so your order isn’t vulnerable later.
7) Modifications: when and how an order can change
Life doesn’t stand still. Nevada gives parents two main avenues to seek a change:
- Periodic review every three years—each party must have notice that they may request a review at least once every three years; many orders include this notice.
- Changed circumstances—a change of 20% or more in gross monthly income is deemed a material change warranting review; other substantial changes (custody, health, childcare costs) can also justify a modification.
Effective date: Generally, a modification is effective no earlier than the date the motion is filed, so filing promptly matters.
What to gather for a modification:
- Recent pay stubs; last two years of tax returns (including 1099s/K-1s if applicable)
- Proof of any job loss, disability, or new employment
- Updated childcare and medical cost documentation
- The current custody schedule (especially if it changed informally)
8) Enforcement basics and arrears
If support isn’t being paid, Nevada law provides several enforcement tools: income withholding, license holds, liens, intercepts, and more. Arrearages continue to be owed even after a child emancipates, and the State can pursue collection until they’re satisfied. (Recent summaries also note changes in penalties/interest policies; arrears accrue interest, but confirm current rates and rules with counsel because policies evolve.) For statutes on ongoing duties and arrears, see NRS 125B.
Important: Don’t self-help by withholding parenting time because support is late (or vice versa). Parenting time and child support are independent obligations; courts frown on mixing them. If there’s a problem, talk to your attorney about enforcement or contempt options.
9) Special situations we see often (and how we approach them)
Variable income (tips, overtime, commissions): We build a fair average using 12–24 months of data and explain seasonal patterns to the court. If income dips significantly, we pursue timely modification with proof.
Self-employment: Courts look beyond the top line. We organize profit and loss, reasonable business expenses, and cash-flow realities so the court has a clean picture. Be ready to provide bank statements and tax schedules.
Military or union trades: LES statements or union hall reports make income clear; we also address differential pay, per diem, or allowances as required by Nevada’s definitions.
Incarceration (6+ months): Nevada policy materials reflect that incarcerated parents generally shouldn’t accrue new support debt unless they have other income; we’ll document status and request appropriate relief. (Always confirm the most current policy.)
Long-distance parenting: When a move increases travel costs, we request transportation deviations or cost-sharing and specify who books travel and when.
Children with special needs: We present the child’s plan of care, provider letters, and budgets for therapies, equipment, or specialized schooling to support a deviation.
10) How we draft support orders to prevent future fights
A strong order doesn’t just list a dollar amount; it solves tomorrow’s arguments today. We make sure your decree or support order includes:
- Exact start date and clear payment method (income withholding, DirectPay, etc.)
- Health insurance responsibilities and a process for switching carriers if needed
- Unreimbursed medical split, documentation timelines, and due dates for reimbursement
- Childcare allocation and how to adjust if costs change materially
- Tax-dependency rules and documentation deadlines (Form 8332, if applicable)
- Annual exchange of income info (W-2/1099 summary by a fixed date) so you’re not flying blind
11) Using the calculator (wisely) before mediation or court
The Nevada Child Support Guidelines Calculator is ideal for “what-if” planning:
- Change overnights to see how a joint-custody schedule affects the estimate.
- Add/remove childcare or insurance to preview impact.
- Stress-test a few income scenarios (e.g., new job; reduced overtime).
Bring your best estimate to mediation; we’ll refine it and prepare supportable findings to lock in a durable, court-ready agreement.
12) FAQ—quick answers for Las Vegas parents
Do judges always follow the calculator number?
They start with the guideline, but can deviate with written findings under NAC 425.150 when evidence justifies it.
Can we just agree to any number?
You can stipulate, but the court can reject a figure that doesn’t meet the child’s needs or appears coerced. Document the reasoning and attach a worksheet.
When can I ask to modify?
At least every three years, or sooner if there’s a 20% change in gross monthly income or another substantial change in circumstances. File promptly; changes are typically effective from the filing date forward.
What about arrears?
Arrears remain owing until paid; the State can pursue collection. Don’t rely on informal deals—get any change in writing and entered by the court.
13) Our approach: clarity, documentation, and kid-first outcomes
My goal in every child support matter is to reach a number that’s accurate, sustainable, and transparent—so both parents can focus on parenting rather than monthly fights. We start with a clear picture of income and child-specific costs, run guideline scenarios, and, when needed, seek narrowly tailored deviations with the evidence to back them up. If a change is warranted down the road, we handle modification efficiently with the right proof and a practical timeline.
14) What to bring to your consultation
- Last 3–6 months of pay stubs; last 2 years of tax returns
- Proof of health insurance premiums for the child
- Childcare invoices or provider statements
- A list of unreimbursed medical costs (and receipts)
- Any existing order or prior worksheet
- Notes on your custody schedule (actual overnights if different from the order)
You’ll leave our meeting with a draft calculation, a checklist of any missing documents, and a strategy for mediation or court.
15) Ready to take the next step?
Whether you’re establishing support for the first time or updating an outdated order, you deserve a number that reflects today’s reality and your child’s needs. If you’re in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, or Boulder City, I’m here to help.
Schedule a consultation at hauserfamilylaw.com. Let’s put a clear, accurate plan in place—so you can move forward with confidence.