Do you need help resolving a child support issue in Tinton Falls, New Jersey? Call The Law Office of Jennifer J. McCaskill, LLC at (732) 747-1882 for legal advice today. An experienced Tinton Falls child support lawyer can help your family reach the best possible solution. We offer free and confidential consultation so you can understand your legal options. 

Our attorneys have over 20 years of experience handling complex family law matters. You can count on us to put the full weight of our experience and resources to work in your case. 

Why Should I Call The Law Office of Jennifer J. McCaskill, LLC for Help Resolving a Child Support Dispute in Tinton Falls?

Your financial obligations in Tinton Falls, NJ, don’t end because a marriage does. Child support ensures a child has the medical care, education, and basic necessities to thrive–even if their parents don’t reside in the same home. Our Tinton Falls family lawyers at The Law Office of Jennifer J. McCaskill, LLC have the experience you need in your corner. 

For our success, we’ve been recognized by Super Lawyers seven years in a row. Child support proceedings can be frustrating and confusing. Whether you pay or receive child support, you deserve the best possible legal representation. Call our Tinton Falls family law attorneys to learn more about how we can help.

Overview of Child Support in New Jersey

Parents in New Jersey are legally required to provide financial support to children. New Jersey courts may order one parent to pay child support when the parents divorce or separate. They can also order child support in cases where the two parents have never been married. 

Child support orders include:

• Orders to pay money to ensure the child’s needs are met
• Details about who is responsible for the child’s health insurance and medical costs

Most often, the non-custodial parent pays support to the parent with primary physical custody of the child. The parent with the most overnight visits with the child is considered the custodial parent.

That said, different factors can impact a parent’s child support rights and obligations. Child support is meant to ensure that the child’s basic needs are met. The child’s best interests are always the most important consideration, regardless of the custody arrangement. 

How Long Do a Parent’s Child Support Obligations Last in Tinton Falls?

Typically, child support in New Jersey lasts until the child turns 19 or graduates from high school. Extensions are possible, but the receiving parent must request an extension. They can file a Request for Continuation of Support to make that request. 

The form must be filed within 45 days of the date the support obligation would otherwise terminate. 

How Is Child Support Calculated in New Jersey?

New Jersey has guidelines on calculating child support. In determining child support, all of each parent’s income is considered.

Income includes:

• Wages and other compensation from employment
• Bonuses 
• Alimony and spousal support
• Annuity payments
• Government benefits, including Social Security and Veterans benefits
• Disability benefits 
• Retirement income and pension benefits 
• Income from rental sources
• Capital gains
• Unemployment compensation 
• Workers’ compensation
• Any other source of income

Additional factors that are considered include:

• The number of children being supported
• The amount of time the child spends with each parent
• Each parent’s childcare costs (apart from child support obligations)
• Child support obligations to another family
• Each parent’s debts and liabilities 
• Allegations of domestic violence

Judges may also consider the child’s standard of living before the parents separated. In some cases, private school tuition or other extraordinary expenses may also factor into the calculation.

Can I Be Ordered To Pay Child Support if I Have Joint Custody of My Child?

Courts often award joint custody when parents can work together. However, it’s rarely precisely a 50/50 split. You can be ordered to pay child support even if you share joint child custody.

The amount of time the child spends with each parent is a key factor in determining the amount of child support. Child support is generally less when each parent spends a relatively equal amount of time with the child. When one parent is solely responsible for the child, the obligation will generally be higher. 

Every situation is different. It’s important to have an experienced Tinton Falls child support attorney who understands your unique situation. Whether you’re paying or receiving child support, our divorce lawyers serving Tinton Falls can fight for an arrangement that aligns with your goals. 

What Kinds of Information Are Relevant When Determining the Correct Amount of Child Support in New Jersey?

Various documents are important in determining child support, including:

• Recent pay stubs
• Bank records
• Tax returns 
• Financial account statements 
• Genetic testing or paternity results
• Child support orders from other states 
• Documents supporting each parent’s employment or military status
• Health insurance coverage information 

Child support matters are complicated. It’s important to ensure your calculation is correct and fair. Experienced attorneys can help at every stage of the process. Contact our team at The Law Office of Jennifer J. McCaskill, LLC today to get the legal assistance you deserve. 

How Do Parents Make Child Support Payments in New Jersey?

Parents make child support payments to the New Jersey Family Support Payment Center (NJFSPC). Payments can be made online. Paying parents can also elect to have their employer withhold the amounts directly from their paychecks. Those amounts will then be processed through the NJFSPC.

Payments can also be made in cash or via check, credit card, or debit card. When a parent doesn’t set up an automatic deduction with their employer, they’ll be issued coupons. Those coupons are issued quarterly. The coupons must accompany the payment to ensure it is processed correctly. 

The amounts are then sent to the receiving parent by direct deposit, check, or debit card.

What Happens if Circumstances Change? Can I Modify a Child Support Order in New Jersey?

Yes, it is possible to have an existing child support order modified if circumstances change. Child support can last for nearly two decades–depending on your child’s age at the time the order is finalized. Circumstances can change significantly in that time. Either parent can request that an order be modified. 

You will have to demonstrate that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred. Qualifying changes might include:

• Either parent’s income has increased or decreased significantly
• The child has developed special needs that aren’t addressed in the existing order
• The child has left home for college or another reason
• A parent has suffered a disability or illness
• The child has moved and now spends more time with the paying parent
• A parent has another child
• A parent is called to active military duty

Child support orders are automatically adjusted for inflation every two years. That means an initial order will generally increase over time. 

That increase may or may not be enough to keep up with the child’s needs. However, courts are unlikely to modify child support orders if the child has elected to pursue an expensive extracurricular activity.

That said, two parents can agree to share costs outside of the legally binding order. 

Does Child Support in New Jersey Include College Tuition?

College is a significant expense for many families. Child support typically ends before the child enters college. It’s still possible that the non-custodial parent will be required to contribute. However, it depends on the facts, and college tuition is by no means automatic. 

Family law judges will consider each parent’s ability to pay. A parent won’t be ordered to contribute if it would create an undue hardship. 

What Can I Do if My Child’s Other Parent Fails To Make Child Support Payments?

Unfortunately, not all parents comply with court-mandated child support. Family law judges in New Jersey take failure to comply with legal orders seriously. Parents can face serious consequences for failing to pay child support. 

Examples of those consequences may include:

• Wage garnishment, including garnishment of workers’ compensation, unemployment, or Social Security benefits
• Offsetting federal and state tax refunds
• Asset seizures 
• Contempt of court charges
• Fines and financial penalties 
• Revocation of a driver’s license
• Loss of professional licenses
• Court enforcement 
• Intercepting online gambling or gaming winnings 

Parents with significant past-due child support may face passport denial or revocation under federal law.”

While options exist, enforcing a child support order can be a frustrating process. Our attorneys can help. Often, we can facilitate mediation and negotiations with your child’s other parent. In other cases, court intervention can become necessary. 

Contact an Experienced Tinton Falls Child Support Lawyer to Arrange a Case Review 

Child support matters in Tinton Falls, NJ, can quickly become complicated. Our team at The Law Office of Jennifer J. McCaskill, LLC is here to provide the experienced legal guidance you deserve. Call us today to learn how our Tinton Falls child support attorney can help.