When you have a child, you should be paying money to support them. That’s how the courts in New Jersey tend to see it, and that opinion holds whether you are married or dating the other parent of your child or if your relationship has ended. Our Morris County, NJ child support attorneys can help parents who want fair agreements that ensure that the needs of their children are met.
How is Child Support Calculated?
The amount of child support paid by the non-custodial parent is calculated with a few different factors in mind. A court can consider:
- The income of both parents
- How much time the child spends with both parents
- How many children require support
- Whether the paying parent is already paying support for other children
The goal is to find an arrangement that ensures that the child’s basic needs are met.
What Expenses Should Child Support Help With?
There are a few expenses that this money should go toward. Payments from the non-custodial parent can help with things like:
- Education and school supplies
- Healthcare and doctor visits
- Housing expenses
- Food
- The cost of extracurricular activities, like sports and clubs
- Clothing
- Anything else that the child needs to maintain the same standard of living they had in a two-parent household
How Long Can a Child Support Agreement Last?
Most child support agreements last until a child reaches the age of 19 and has graduated high school. Some parents continue to work together to cover the educational expenses of a child when they go to college or trade school, either through a court-ordered arrangement or one that they have worked out for themselves. A court can usually only order a non-custodial parent to cover educational expenses if their child is enrolled full-time and makes every effort to get financial assistance.
What If My Child Has Special Needs?
When a child has special needs, they could require financial assistance for the rest of their life. A court may not order a parent to continue making support payments past the age of 19, but they should figure out a way to continue to provide for their child for as long as their assistance is needed.
Can a Child Support Agreement Be Changed?
If the situation of either or both parents changes, child support agreements can be modified. If you are the paying parent, do not just stop paying or start paying less. You have to go to court or you are going to run into legal trouble.
Some common reasons for changes to these agreements include a change in the child’s needs, like the development of a disease that leads to a rise in healthcare costs, or a change in the payor’s financial situation, like the loss of a job.
Schedule Your Consultation
Whether you are paying child support or receiving it, our lawyers can help you. Contact Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark to schedule a consultation with our team. We want to assist you.
