Important Factors for New Jersey Child Support Calculator

The amount to be paid or received for child support orders in New Jersey is not a simple percentage. As a Child Support Lawyer in Jersey City that is frequently in the Hudson County Family Court, I will go over key inputs that are used in the New Jersey child support guidelines and how to avoid Child Support Enforcement Hearings. In New Jersey, The child support obligation/the amount of child support is a culmination of many factors that are used.

To calculate child support, we must first know who is the custodial parent and who should receive and who should pay child support. The person who has more overnights is considered the custodial parent and the person who will obtain child support.

1. Then we will look at each parent's income or potential income per week.
2. The taxes to be paid, social security, number of deductions, filing status
3. We will then look at the work related child care payments that must be made so that the custodial parent can work.
4. The health care costs for the child will be calculated
5. Mandatory Union Dues
6. The number of overnights per year (parenting time) that the parents will have with the child will determine if we should use a sole or shared parenting worksheet
7. If the non-custodial parent has any other children that he or she is responsible for financially
8. If any amount is owed since the filing, the arrears will be added weekly until they are paid off
9. The above are the most critical factors under the New Jersey Court Rules for Guideline Calculations. The hearing officer or then to the Family Law /Court Judge will have the final authority to determine the exact amount. The amount can be deviated upwards or downwards based on certain circumstances.
10. Then to avoid enforcement hearings it is best to pay something even when you cannot pay the whole amount and then file a modification in the New Jersey Family Court so that the arrears to not begin to pile up and you get arrested.

As a Jersey City Child Support Attorney, I know what is the best way to pay the accurate amount of child support and not to overpay. If you have a case or seek to file one in the New Jersey Superior Court Family Part, contact us on 973-337-9643.