Answering Your Questions About Child Support In New Jersey
At Tournour Law, our attorney, Frank Tournour, has been helping families in East Brunswick and the surrounding communities navigate divorce and answering their questions about child support concerns for more than 30 years. Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. Every case and situation is unique. If you have specific questions regarding your child support obligations or payments, please reach out, and we can help.
How does the state of New Jersey determine child support?
Generally, the amount of child support is set by the court using the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines found in appendix IX-A of the New Jersey Court Rules and the following criteria:
- The needs of the child
- The standard of living and economic circumstances of each parent
- The income and assets of each parent
- The earning ability of each parent, including educational background, training, employment skills, work experience and custodial responsibility for children
- The need of the child for education, including higher education
- The age and health of both the child and the parents
- The income and earning capacity of the child
- Prior support orders for other children
- The reasonable debts and liabilities of each parent and child
- Any other relevant facts
In cases of joint custody, child support payments are usually based on the amount of time the child spends in the custody of each parent and by taking into consideration each parent’s income.
How long are parents legally obligated to support their children?
Both biological and adoptive parents must support a child until such time that:
- The child reaches the age of majority (support may be required for a longer period if the child has special needs or is in college).
- The child goes on active military duty.
- The child is declared emancipated by a court.
- Parental rights and responsibilities are terminated.
What if the father of the child does not want to agree or admit that he is the father?
A paternity test can determine genetics and identify the biological father for purposes of requiring child support. At Tournour Law, we can also help our clients with paternity matters.
What if a parent doesn’t pay their child support payment?
When a parent falls behind on their child support payments, a judge can order that child support arrears be paid during a post-judgment enforcement hearing before a family court judge. Steps to enforce the order can include garnishment of wages, tax refunds, or lottery winnings, or seizure of assets such as insurance proceeds, cars or other vehicles, or real estate. Our attorney has the knowledge and experience needed to help enforce child support obligations. The court may also order that any attorneys’ fees be paid by the delinquent parent.
Don’t Wait. Call Today.
Every separation, divorce and child custody case has its own unique set of facts and circumstances. If you have specific questions about child support payments or how to collect unpaid child support, don’t wait. Call us today at 732-913-3634 or email us to schedule an initial consultation. We want to help you get the support you deserve.