Child support in New Jersey is determined based on state guidelines that take into account both parents’ incomes, the child’s needs and other financial factors. The goal is to ensure that children receive the financial support they need for housing, food, education, healthcare and other essential expenses.
The amount of child support is calculated using a structured formula, but courts also consider individual circumstances that may require adjustments. Most of the time, it is intended that a child should benefit from roughly the same standard of living in both households.
The state’s approach
New Jersey follows a set of Child Support Guidelines that apply to most cases. These guidelines use a formula that considers:
- Each parent’s income – Wages, bonuses, commissions, rental income and other earnings.
- Overnight parenting time – The number of nights the child spends with each parent affects the support calculation.
- Childcare costs – Expenses such as daycare or babysitting for working parents.
- Healthcare expenses – The cost of health insurance and out-of-pocket medical needs for the child.
- Other children – If either parent has other children they support, that may impact the final amount.
The guidelines apply to most cases where the parents’ combined net income is $187,200 per year or less. If parents earn more than this amount, courts may adjust support based on additional factors.
While the guidelines provide a standard calculation, judges have the authority to adjust child support if special circumstances exist. Some factors that may lead to a deviation include:
- A child with special medical or educational needs.
- A parent with unusually high expenses, such as necessary travel costs for parenting time.
- Differences in parenting time that significantly affect financial responsibilities.
Determining child support can be complex, especially in cases involving self-employment, multiple children or high-income families. Thankfully, seeking personalized legal guidance to better understand this issue is always an option.