Support in Nevada

How Nevada Calculates Child Support

Nevada calculates child support using a percentage-of-income formula established under NRS 125B.070. Unlike income-shares states that base the obligation on both parents’ combined income, Nevada’s formula applies set percentages to the gross monthly income of the obligor (the noncustodial or higher-earning parent):

• One child: 18% of gross monthly income
• Two children: 25%
• Three children: 29%
• Four children: 31%
• Each additional child: 2% more

The statute sets a minimum obligation and also establishes a presumptive maximum to prevent excessive obligations for very high earners. The court retains discretion to deviate from the formula when the circumstances warrant it.

For a general overview of child support calculation methods, see our guide on how child support is calculated. You can also estimate your potential obligation with our child support calculator.

Income Included in the Calculation

Gross monthly income for child support purposes includes virtually all sources of income: wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, overtime, self-employment income, pensions, annuities, Social Security benefits, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, disability payments, interest, dividends, rental income, and trust income. Courts may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, based on that parent’s earning capacity and employment history.

Deviations from the Formula

The statutory percentages create a rebuttable presumption that the calculated amount is appropriate. However, under NRS 125B.080, the court may deviate from the formula if strict application would be unjust or inappropriate. Factors the court considers include:

• The cost of health insurance for the child
• The cost of child care
• Special educational needs of the child
• The age of the child
• The obligor’s legal responsibility for other dependents
• The value of services contributed by either parent
• Any public assistance paid to support the child
• The cost of transportation for visitation
• The amount of time the child spends with each parent
• Any other necessary expenses for the child’s benefit

When parents share joint physical custody (each parent having the child at least 40% of the time), Nevada courts typically apply an offset formula that accounts for both parents’ incomes and the time each parent spends with the child.

Modifying or Terminating Child Support

Either parent may petition for modification by demonstrating a change of circumstances. Under Nevada law, a change of 20% or more in the obligor’s gross monthly income is presumed to constitute a change of circumstances sufficient to warrant modification.

Child support in Nevada generally continues until the child turns 18, or until age 19 if the child is still enrolled in high school. Support terminates upon the child’s emancipation, marriage, or entry into military service. Nevada does not require parents to contribute to post-secondary education expenses.

Enforcement of Child Support Orders

Nevada’s Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) and the courts have broad enforcement authority, including:

• Income withholding from wages and other income sources
• Interception of state and federal tax refunds
• Suspension of driver’s licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses
• Liens on real and personal property
• Passport denial for arrearages exceeding $2,500
• Reporting to credit bureaus
• Contempt of court proceedings, which may result in fines or incarceration

Alimony (Spousal Support) in Nevada

Nevada courts may award alimony under NRS 125.150. There is no statutory formula for calculating alimony; the court exercises discretion based on the facts of each case. The primary types of alimony awarded in Nevada include:

• Temporary alimony. Support paid during the pendency of the divorce proceedings.
• Rehabilitative alimony. Support for a defined period to allow the receiving spouse to obtain education, training, or employment to become self-supporting. This is the most commonly awarded form.
• Permanent (general) alimony. Ongoing support without a fixed end date, typically reserved for long-term marriages where the receiving spouse cannot reasonably achieve self-sufficiency due to age, health, or extended absence from the workforce.

Factors in Alimony Determinations

Under NRS 125.150, the court considers:

• The financial condition of each spouse
• The nature and value of each spouse’s property
• Each spouse’s contribution to jointly held or individually held property
• The duration of the marriage
• The income, earning capacity, age, and health of each spouse
• The standard of living during the marriage
• The career the receiving spouse had before the marriage
• The level of education, training, or marketable skills each spouse possesses
• The contribution of either spouse as a homemaker
• The property awarded to the receiving spouse in the divorce

Nevada courts do not consider marital fault when awarding alimony.

Modification and Termination of Alimony

Alimony may be modified upon a showing of a changed circumstance that warrants adjustment. Alimony generally terminates upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient. The court may also modify or terminate alimony if the recipient cohabits with another person in a relationship analogous to marriage.

When to Seek Legal Guidance

Nevada’s percentage-of-income formula for child support is relatively straightforward, but joint custody arrangements, high-income situations, and deviation requests add complexity. Alimony determinations involve significant judicial discretion and depend heavily on the facts of each case. If you are evaluating child support or alimony in Nevada, consider scheduling a free consultation to discuss your options with a qualified professional.