Child support is a payment made from one parent to the other for the support of children of a relationship. Usually, these payments are made on a periodic basis, whether it be weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. In New Jersey, child support is normally based upon guidelines which take into account several factors, including, but not limited to, income from all sources of the parents, the number of children, obligations for other children, the overnight parenting time schedule, the age of the children, payment of any medical insurance premium for the children and tax filing status. The guidelines are not utilized in certain higher income cases and parents are free to agree to a child support amount which deviates from the guidelines amount. By way of example, this may be the case where a parent is paying a mortgage payment directly for the benefit of the household in which the children are residing.
In New Jersey, the obligation to support your children can continue beyond age 18 such as in situations where a child is attending college on a full-time basis or is disabled. The guidelines normally do not apply, the Court instead weighing considerations set forth in statute regarding whether there is a need for child support.
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Robert Benbrook is the founder of Benbrook and Benbrook. Mr. Benbrook has practiced law in New Jersey for over four decades and specializes in Zoning Law, Land Use and Business Litigation.