Glen Ridge Child Support Lawyer

Regardless of whether their parents were ever married, children in New Jersey have a right to financial support from both of their parents. This support might include money for a child’s unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, therapy, etc. expenses, education-related expenses, extracurricular activities or sports, or work-related childcare expenses.

Unfortunately, determining adequate child support can be a contentious issue, especially when one party will not provide their financials. However, our skilled family law attorneys can advise you on your legal obligations.

With help from our skilled family attorneys at Williams Law Group, LLC, you can quickly resolve these issues outside of court. Get in touch with our Glen Ridge child support lawyers today to ensure your rights are protected.

Who is Responsible for Making Child Support Payments?

Often, people assume that the court automatically orders fathers to pay child support in divorce or custody cases. However, child support is calculated based upon a number of factors, including but not limited to custodial arrangement of the parties, the parents’ incomes, number of overnights with each parent, health insurance contributions; either parent could be required to make child support payments.

If a parent in Glen Ridge has sole physical custody of a child, the non-custodial parent will likely have a child support obligations to the custodial parent.  However, if parents share equal custody of the child(ren), these obligations are often shared and either party may have limited or no child support obligations. Our knowledgeable attorneys can answer questions regarding how this obligation is determined.

Calculating Child Support in Glen Ridge

Like most states, New Jersey has created guidelines using a mathematical formula to determine the appropriate and necessary amount of child support in any given custody case, factoring in taxes and controlled and fixed expenses. However, courts must consider several factors before enforcing a proper payment obligation.

Following the regulations, courts will evaluate the number of children a parent has, the number of overnights stays a parent has with their child, and each parent’s monthly income. Other financial factors include recurring work-related childcare costs and the children’s portion of health insurance premiums. When all these factors are considered, the formula provides a child support support amount for each parent.

Although courts use this formula to determine a recommended support amount, a judge is not strictly bound by the guidelines. In cases that are “above the net-threshold of the Child Support Guidelines, $187,200, courts have the discretion to order support in an amount higher than the guidelines provide. To decide whether to increase payments, a judge might determine a child’s needs, the health of a child, and the earning capacity of both parents.

Because there is a multiple components to this process, we can help build a strong case to obtain a fair outcome regardless of what the guidelines suggest. For example, our local lawyers will argue for an increase or decrease in the final support amount and ensure that a parent receives adequate funds to support their child.

Contact a Glen Ridge Child Support Attorney Right Away

Unfortunately, determining support payments often presents unique challenges that can be emotionally taxing. However, you have the right to hire the attorney of your choice when dealing with child support issues.

We can advocate for you to assist you in receiving the best outcome possible for your situation.  If you or someone you know has a question regarding child support, call the Williams Law Group, at (908) 810-1083, today to learn more about how we can assist you.