Nevada Child Support
How to Apply for Child Support in Nevada
The Nevada Child Support Enforcement Program is operated by the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services. Anyone who would like to apply for the support services in the state can download, print and complete the official application for child support services for Nevada. The application can then be mailed or faxed. It is also possible to simply walk into a local office to drop off a completed application. Download Forms.
How to Calculate Child Support in Nevada?
Child support is determined using a formula that takes into account a parent’s gross monthly income and the number of children involved. The amount of time each parent spends with a child, the relative income of both parents, the value of services provided by each parent and a number of other factors are also used when determining a support obligation. The minimum amount of support that can be ordered per month in Nevada is $100.
How to Claim and Pay Child Support?
Child support is delivered through a Nevada Debit Card automatically as soon as child support payments are received. This card is a prepaid Visa® debit card issued through Bank of America. Payments that are owed can be made using an online portal or by mail.
Child Support Performance Stats for Nevada
The Division of Welfare and Supportive Services uses a number of factors to determine the performance of the state's Child Support Enforcement Program. The results offer a glimpse into the agency's efficiency and the trends among program participants.
Statistics for Regular On-Time Payments Collection
Other Incentive Performance Measures
| Performance Measures | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide Paternity Establishment (%) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| IV-D Paternity Establishment (%) | 117.24 | 117.53 | 116.48 | 118.66 | 126.44 |
| Support Order Establishment (%) | 81.62 | 82.92 | 85.44 | 87.02 | 86.47 |
| Cost-Effectiveness ($) | 4.05 | 3.9 | 4 | 4.13 | 3.83 |
Total Number of Children in the Child Support Program
Total Distributed Collections and Total Administrative Expenditures ($ Millions)
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Distributed Collections ($) | 171.93 | 175.39 | 175.81 | 179.73 | 183.85 |
| Total Distributed to Families ($) | 161.66 | 165.76 | 166.26 | 170.28 | 174.13 |
| Total Administrative Expenditures ($) | 49.9 | 52.5 | 51.2 | 50.65 | 55.94 |
Average Collections per Case with Collections
Can child support be paid off early?
While payments can’t be made early, doing so won't prevent a person from owing extra funds if circumstances increase a payment obligation.
What Will Happen if You fall Behind Child Support Payment?
The Child Support Enforcement Program will use all resources and legal means to attempt to collect funds that are overdue.
Can you get alimony and support at the same time?
Yes, it is possible to receive alimony and support at the same time.
Can you stop the support payments?
Support payments can only be stopped through a modification or court order. Simply stopping payments could result in felony charges.
Child Support and Taxes
Support payments in Nevada essentially have no impact on the taxes of the person making the payments or the person receiving the payments. However, a parent making payments may still be able to get some tax-related benefits by claiming a child as a dependent.
Can child support payments be claimed on taxes in Nevada?
No, the support payments cannot be claimed on taxes in Nevada.
How does my child support affect my taxes in Nevada?
Support payments are not considered taxable income. That means the person receiving it does not need to make tax payments.
Can the support be taken pre-tax?
Support payments are not considered taxable income. That means the person receiving it does not need to make tax payments.
Can child support Take my federal tax return?
Nevada's Child Support Program can work with the IRS to seize a tax return as a way to recover unpaid child support.
Paternity Establishment
It is necessary to establish paternity in Nevada before a support obligation can be created and enforced.
How do you establish paternity?
Paternity in Nevada is established automatically if a mother and father are married at the time of birth. It can also be established if the mother and father have signed a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity. In addition, a judge can declare that a man is the legal father of a child through a court hearing or by default order.
What rights does a father have if not on birth certificate?
A father has no custody or visitation rights until paternity has been established.
Can a mother refuse me paternity test?
A paternity test may be ordered via Nevada court order if a mother refuses.
How to establish paternity if the father is deceased?
Genetic testing can usually be performed on a family member.
Can a father get a paternity test without the mother?
A father cannot subject a minor child to genetic testing without the consent of a primary legal guardian.
How long does a father have to establish paternity in Nevada?
Fathers typically have until a child turns 18 to establish paternity.
Support Order Establishment
Support establishment in Nevada is initiated when a parent contacts the Family Support Division of the District Attorney’s Office. An application will need to be completed. The office can assist with finding a non-custodial parent, establishing paternity and modifying an order. A parent also has the option to file a motion with a family court.
State Child Support orders
Child support orders may need to be updated if circumstances regarding a family or a child change.
Can the support be modified?
Yes, the support can be modified by filing a modification request with a court.
36 months after an order has been created.
How do I file for a modification of child support?
A parent can request a review for modification by contacting the agent managing a case.
Can a child support order appealed?
Change in income of at least 20 percent for the parent making payments must occur before the agency will consider a request for appeal or modification.
Do you need a lawyer to modify the support?
While a lawyer is not required, seeking professional legal guidance is highly recommended.
Child Support Enforcement
How long does the support enforcement take?
Enforcement times vary depending on whether or not a non-custodial parent needs to be located or if paternity is being contested.
What to do when the support is not paid?
A parent should reach out to their case manager at the Child Support Enforcement Program.
What Happens if I’m not paying Child support?
The Child Support Enforcement Program will use all available legal means to collect unpaid support payments. This includes seizing paychecks, unemployment benefits and tax refunds. A parent who owes money may face liens and suspended personal and professional licenses. Nonpayment could result in felony charges.
How much overdue child support payment can be considered a felony?
Overdue payments that total $10,000 or that have been outstanding for two years or more.
Can the support debt be forgiven?
No, the support debt can not be forgiven in Nevada.
Support Order Termination
How do I stop a support order?
It will be necessary to request a modification or hearing.
When Can I Apply for Child Support Termination?
If a custody situation changes or when a child becomes legally emancipated.
Can the custodial parent close a support case?
Both parents have the right to request a hearing for the sake of establishing or modifying a support order.
When Can I Stop Paying the Support?
Child support is automatically terminated when a child turns 19 or graduates from high school at age 18.
The legal age tos top paying child support is 18 years old.
Nevada Hearing Rights
Both parents have the right to request a hearing for the sake of establishing or modifying a support order.
NV Child Support Guidelines
Nevada's support guidelines help to determine the obligations of each parent. Joint physical custody is the preferable option in Nevada based on a Nevada Supreme Court ruling.
Nevada Child Support Coverage
What is the support meant to cover?
All of the aspects of raising a child. This includes food, shelter, clothing and more.
Does the Support Cover Medical Care Expenses?
Yes, in most cases medical expenses are covered under Nevada child support laws.
What if Both Parents are working, will the Support Cover child care services?
The person making payments is expected to cover at least a reasonable portion of childcare expenses.
Are Car Maintenance Costs Covered by the Support?
Yes, in most cases car maintenance costs are covered by the support.
What is Considered Basic Entertainment for Child Support?
Internet access, admission to events and movies, access to television programs and other age-appropriate forms of entertainment.
Are College expenses Covered by the Support in Nevada?
Not under normal circumstances.
Are Extracurricular Activities covered by Support?
Yes, extracurricular activities are covered by support.
Are School Related Costs Covered by Child Support?
Yes, up until high school graduation.
Nevada Child Support Offices
| Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division of Welfare and Supportive Services - Child Support | 1470 E College Pkwy #122, Carson City | cse@dwss.nv.gov | (800) 992-0900 | https://dwss.nv.gov/Support/1_0_0-Support/ |
County Child Support Offices in NV
| County name | Institution name | Physical address | Email address | Phone number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City | Washoe County, NV Reno Program Area Office - Child Support Enforcement | 300 East 2nd Street, Suite 1200, Reno, NV 89501 | N/A | 1(775) 448-5150 | http://carson.org/government/departments-a-f/district-attorney/child-support-enforcement |
| Churchill County | Churchill County, NV District Attorney - Child Support Office | 165 North Ada Street, Fallon, NV 89406 | N/A | 1(775) 423-8423 | http://www.churchillcounty.org/index.aspx?nid=241 |
| Douglas County | Washoe County, NV Reno Program Area Office - Child Support Enforcement | 300 East 2nd Street, Suite 1200, Reno, NV 89501 | N/A | 1(775)448-5150 | https://dwss.nv.gov/Contact/Child_Support_Northern_Offices/ |
Download Child support Forms for Nevada
| Title | Number |
|---|---|
| APPLICATION FOR CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES | 4000 ? EC |
| COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY / PATERNITY AND UCCJEA DECLARATION | N/A |
| PATERNITY ORDER | N/A |
| CUSTODY DECREE | N/A |