NJ CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES
New Jersey Child Support Lawyers
NJ child support is governed by statute and Court Rules. These laws set forth a number of factors to be considered before a NJ child support award is established, such as:
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Needs of the child;
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Standard of living and economic circumstances of each parent;
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All sources of income and assets of each parent;
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Earning ability of each parent, including educational background, training, employment skills, work experience, custodial responsibility for children including the cost of providing child care and the length of time and cost for each parent to obtain training or experience for appropriate employment;
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Need and capacity of the child for education, including higher education;
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Age and health of the child and each parent;
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Income, assets and earning ability of the child;
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Responsibility of the parents for the court-ordered support of others; and
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Reasonable debts and liabilities of each child and parent.
The NJ Child Support Guidelines is the intricate formula generally used to determine the amount of child support that will be implemented. The formula begins by identifying each parent’s gross income. Alimony is included in the receiving spouse’s gross income and is deducted from the paying spouse’s gross income. Taxes are applied so that the net income can be properly assessed. Even union dues are figured into the calculation because they are considered a mandatory deduction.
The NJ Child Support Guidelines takes into account a variety of child related expenses, including health care premium payments and child care contributions. Child support varies from case to case given each family’s specific circumstances. For example, the age of the child may translate into a greater amount of child support because a child who is over the age of 12 is deemed to cost more than a younger child. Also, the number of overnights a non-custodial parent enjoys with the child dictates certain monetary credits to be applied which are factored into the formula.
The courts rely upon the NJ Child Support Guidelines to calculate child support payments. However, in divorce cases where the parties have substantial household income, the amount of child support awarded may deviate from these guidelines.
Our attorneys help you deal with all aspects of child support matter. Contact one of our experienced New Jersey child support lawyers today at (973) 520-8822 for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.
Our partner, Bari Zell Weinberger, is certified by the Supreme Court of NJ as a Matrimonial Law Attorney. This Certification is achieved by only 2% of the attorneys in New Jersey.
