Every child support case is unique, so child support payments vary on a case-by-case basis. However, there are some general guidelines that the court must follow when calculating these payments. Here’s how child support is calculated in New Jersey:
The Purpose of the Child Support Guidelines
Both parents are responsible for financially supporting their children, however the custodial parent typically incurs more of the child’s expenses. It’s not fair for the custodial parent to bear the financial burden of raising a child all on their own, which is where the guidelines come into play. The child support guidelines are designed to ensure that both parents equally contribute to the cost of raising a child.
Using the Guidelines to Calculate Child Support
The guidelines are complicated, but there are tools that make it easier for parents to understand how the guidelines are used to calculate child support. Parents can estimate child support payments with this helpful child support calculator worksheet, which follows the state’s child support guidelines.
You will need to fill in basic information, including the number of children involved in the child support dispute and the amount of parenting time that has been awarded to the non-custodial parent. These factors significantly affect the final calculation, so make sure the information is accurate.
Both you and your child’s other parent will need to provide income information as well. Be sure to place the custodial parent’s income information in the “CP” column, and the non-custodial parent’s income information in the “NCP” column. If either parent is paying child support for another child not involved in this dispute, this information should be entered into the worksheet as well.
Take another look at your information to make sure it has been entered correctly. If everything is correct, click on the calculate button to see a rough estimate of child support. This is an estimate of the amount of child support that you will receive or pay on a weekly basis.
It’s important to note that this worksheet provides a rough estimate of child support, not an exact amount. The judge has the authority to deviate from these guidelines when he believes it is appropriate to do so.
If you are involved in a child support dispute, contact Williams Law Group, LLC at once. Let our team of experienced attorneys fight to reach a child support agreement that is in the best interests of your children. Call our office at (908) 810-1083, email us at info@awilliamslawgroup.com, or contact us through our confidential online form to schedule a consultation.