Child support can be a controversial topic when it comes to divorce. As a result, parents often have numerous questions and concerns. Read on to learn more about child support in New Jersey and how it is determined.
How is child support determined by a New Jersey judge?
The goal of child support is to ensure that the child’s standard of living is the same as, or better than, before the divorce. In order to make a decision about the amount and frequency of payments, a judge may consider:
- The financial status of both parents
- Who has physical custody of the child
- The incomes, debts, and assets of each parent
- Each parent’s earning capacity
- Each parent’s work history
- The child’s needs
- The child’s age/health
- The child’s education
- The cost of providing for the child
Can child support be modified?
In order to modify your child support payments, you and a family law attorney must prove to the court that a major and permanent change has occurred. Some common reasons to increase or decrease payments include:
- One parent lost their home
- One parent contracted a serious illness or sustained a serious injury
- The child sustained a serious injury or contracted a medical condition
- One parent took a significant pay cut or lost their job
- There was a change in federal income tax laws
- One parent cohabitates with another person or has remarried
- One parent received a job promotion or came into a large sum of money
When do payments end?
Generally, child support can end when the child reaches the age of emancipation. In New Jersey, this age is 18. That being said, child support can be terminated early or extended longer depending on the situation. Some reasons to terminate child support include:
- The child no longer lives with the parents
- The child enlisted in the military
- The child is now financially independent and has a full-time job
- The child is now married
- The child is pregnant or has children of their own
It is important to know that child support cannot end until it is declared by the court.
What if child support is not paid?
New Jersey courts can enforce payments in the following ways:
- Income withholding
- Credit reporting
- Tax fund offset
- Seizure of assets
- License suspension
- Passport denial
- Court enforcement
- Civil awards/settlements
- Warrants
- Judgments
If you have questions about child support in New Jersey, contact our firm to speak with an experienced attorney.
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
If you require strong legal representation for matters related to divorce or family law, contact Haber Silver Russoniello & Dunn today to schedule a consultation.
