If you have 50/50 or joint legal custody in NJ, the higher-earning parent pays child support. The paying parent is often referred to as the “obligor,” and the parent who receives payment is the “obligee.” Navigating child support can be exhausting and emotionally taxing, which is why it’s so important to have experienced child custody attorneys helping you through the process.
At Graziano & Flynn, P.C., our New Jersey child support lawyers will fight tirelessly on your and your child’s behalf, whether that’s ensuring you get what you’re owed or that your payment schedule is reasonable.
Contact us today for a free child support consultation with a family law attorney.
How is Child Support Calculated in NJ?
New Jersey uses particular guidelines when calculating child support owed to the other parent. To determine a reasonable payment schedule, the courts take into account the parent’s combined net income.
Each parent is expected to contribute to the child or children in proportion to their share of the net income. New Jersey Child Support Guidelines consider four main factors for child support calculations.
- Number of eligible children
- Parenting time
- Income
- Expenses
How Alimony Affects Child Support in NJ
The amount of child support you receive can be affected by the amount of alimony that you are awarded. On the other hand, if you pay more for alimony, you may not have to pay as much for child support. New Jersey guidelines also consider any preexisting alimony or child support payments when determining your new child support payment.
The Support Obligor Will Pay More for Additional Children
A child support order increases based on the number of children you have together and generally ends when the children turn 18. However, the Court can extend the order to 23 if the children pursue secondary education.
The Support Obligor Will Pay Less if the Obligor Has More than 40% Custody
Regarding parenting time, the more overnight visits a child has with the parent paying child support, the less that parent has to pay.
While the Court will make the final determination about child custody and visitation, if your child spends more than 104 overnights with you in a year, you can be considered for Shared Parenting Time. The more time you spend together, the more child support you’ll receive.
Additional Children’s Expenses Are Paid On Top Of Basic Child Support
The New Jersey Child Support guidelines take three broad categories of expenses into account when calculating child support. Specifically, those expenses include:
- Fixed – mortgage payments, rent, utilities, ect.
- Controlled – clothing, personal care, etc
- Variable – transportation, food, expenses the parent incur when they spend time with the child
In addition to these expenses, a court can deviate from the guidelines and order one parent to pay additional money for additional expenses. Common additional expenses include private school tuition and medical costs.
The Purpose of Child Support in NJ
Popular culture has created many misconceptions regarding child support. Many people erroneously believe that child support is another form of financial support for a former spouse such as alimony. The reality is child support is meant to provide financial support to a child.
Specifically, child support is meant to provide a child with the same level of financial support they would have received had both parents remained together. This is why child support considers the income of both parents. Finally, child support is designed to ensure children are not financially by divorce or being born out-of-wedlock.
Get A Free Child Support Consultation With Graziano & Flynn
To protect your best interests and preserve the kind of lifestyle you’d like for your child or children, you need an experienced child support lawyer to help you through the process.
At Graziano & Flynn, our skilled attorneys understand the ins and outs of family law and are well-equipped to fight for the most favorable outcomes.
Contact us today to get the help you need during this sensitive time.
