Free · North Dakota · Current law
Based on North Dakota's official Percentage of Income (Varying) formula. Enter both parents' incomes and get an estimate in under a minute.
Before taxes — wages, self-employment, bonuses
A best estimate is fine for now
Taxes, mandatory retirement, union dues…
Work or school related
Estimated monthly support
The other parent pays you, the parent with primary timesharing.
Estimate only — based on a simplified reading of North Dakota child support guidelines. Official calculator → A judge can deviate. Not legal advice.
Get a plain-English copy of this estimate, the numbers used, and a short checklist for what to review before relying on it.
Child support in North Dakota is calculated by first determining the obligor's monthly net income. This is achieved by taking gross income and subtracting hypothetical federal and state income taxes, FICA, a portion of health insurance premiums for the children, certain medical expenses, union dues, required employee retirement contributions, and documented unreimbursed employee expenses. The resulting net income is then applied to a schedule, which provides a presumptive child support amount based on the number of children. Adjustments can be made for extended parenting time or equal residential responsibility.
A substantial change in either parent's income — voluntary or involuntary — can trigger a modification.
Changes in childcare costs or the children's health insurance premiums directly adjust the support amount.
If the custody schedule changes significantly, support can be recalculated under North Dakota guidelines.
Medical conditions, disabilities, or educational needs can justify a departure from the guideline amount.
Common questions
North Dakota has no mandatory statewide waiting period. Uncontested divorces typically finalize in 45–90 days for uncontested cases. Contested divorces involving custody disputes or complex assets can take 12–24 months or longer.
To file for divorce in North Dakota, at least one spouse must have lived in North Dakota for 6 months before filing. Filing in the wrong jurisdiction can result in your case being dismissed, so confirm with your county clerk if you recently moved.
North Dakota is a no-fault divorce state. You can file citing 'irreconcilable differences' or 'irretrievable breakdown of the marriage' without proving the other spouse did anything wrong. Fault grounds (adultery, cruelty, abandonment) still exist but are rarely needed and don't typically affect property division.
North Dakota follows equitable distribution. Courts divide marital property fairly but not necessarily equally, considering factors like each spouse's income, contributions to the marriage, and economic circumstances. Separate property (owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance) is generally not divided.
North Dakota uses the Percentage of Income (Varying) model to calculate child support. Both parents' incomes are considered along with the number of children, timesharing schedule, childcare costs, and health insurance. The resulting guideline amount is presumed correct but a judge can deviate based on special circumstances.
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