Dad Court Help
North Dakota family-law guide · reviewed August 22, 2026

North Dakota Residential Responsibility & Parenting Time

Current, source-linked North Dakota terminology and rules without imported out-of-state formulas.

Legal information, not legal advice. North Dakota law and local practice can change. Verify forms, fees, filing methods, service, and hearing procedure with the State District Court receiving your case.

North Dakota terminology

Residential responsibility

Where the child primarily lives.

Primary residential responsibility

More than 50% of residential responsibility.

Parenting time

The scheduled time with each parent.

State District Court

Where North Dakota family cases are heard.

Core rules

  • North Dakota uses 'residential responsibility', 'parenting time', and 'decisionmaking responsibility'
  • The court decides based on the child's best interests (NDCC 14-09-06.2)
  • A parenting plan is required when parenting time is established or modified (NDCC 14-09-30)
  • Cases are heard in the North Dakota State District Court

Support and modification cautions

North Dakota uses a percentage-of-income model under N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-02-04.1 — child support is based on the obligor's income. Extended parenting time (75-02-04.1-08.1) is a court-ordered schedule exceeding 100 overnights annually and provides an adjustment. Equal residential responsibility (75-02-04.1-08.2) is calculated and offset separately.

Official sources reviewed August 22, 2026

Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the State District Court clerk handling your case.

Confirm current court fees and deadlines. Court fees, filing and response deadlines, hearing timing, notice periods, and local procedures can change or vary by North Dakota county. Before relying on any amount or time period on this page, confirm the current amount or deadline with the State District Court clerk handling your case.