Experienced Essex County Child Support Attorney
When it comes to the well-being of your children, your family’s financial stability is vital. In New Jersey, child support is a way to ensure this remains the case after you and your spouse get divorced. Child support covers expenses related to your children’s care and upbringing, and it is crucial that your child support order accurately reflects the costs it takes to raise them.
I’m child support attorney Gary J. Natale and for over 30 years, I have helped clients handle family law issues. I primarily serve clients in Essex County and the Newark, New Jersey, area. If you are working to establish a child support order, you can count on me to guide you through the process with understanding and undivided attention.
Calculating Child Support In New Jersey
In New Jersey, child support is determined based on the parents’ combined income. The state has an online child support calculator, which is a good way to estimate your payment amount. Keep in mind that your actual child support order may differ from this preliminary estimate.
Child Support Modification
Circumstances can change, and parents may need to modify child support to reflect their current financial or family situation. Courts allow modifications when the change in circumstances significantly affects the ability to pay or meet the child’s needs. Common reasons include:
- Job loss or change in income: A parent experiencing unemployment or a substantial increase or decrease in earnings may qualify for a modification.
- Serious illness or disability: Health conditions that impact a parent’s earning capacity can justify adjusting support.
- Changes in child care costs: If the cost of day care or other care arrangements changes significantly, a modification may be warranted.
- Changes in child needs: As children grow, their educational, medical and extracurricular needs may require revising the support amount.
Obtaining a modification requires presenting evidence of the change to the court. A skilled New Jersey child support lawyer can guide parents through the process, helping ensure the requested adjustments are reasonable and supported by documentation. Timely modifications can prevent financial strain for both parents and help ensure children continue to receive appropriate support.
Child Support Enforcement
Even when support is ordered, some parents may fall behind. Child support enforcement makes sure that payments are received and that children’s needs are met. New Jersey provides several legal tools to recover child support, including:
- Wage garnishment: Automatic deductions from the paying parent’s paycheck.
- License suspension: Suspension of driver’s, professional or recreational licenses until payments are made.
- Contempt of court: Legal action that may result in fines or jail time for nonpayment.
- Liens on property: Placing claims on real estate or personal property to secure payment.
- Tax refunds: Interception of state or federal tax refunds to cover overdue support.
As a New Jersey child support lawyer, I can help parents pursue enforcement options, recover back child support and protect their rights in court. Prompt legal action helps ensure financial stability for the child and holds the paying parent accountable.
Child Support FAQs
Like many parents in Essex County, you may feel confused about child support matters. I am committed to providing you with clarity and can answer any questions you may have – including these two:
What expenses are covered in child support?
Child support covers basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, health care, education and child care costs. Courts may also consider extracurricular activities or special medical expenses.
When does child support end?
Child support in New Jersey ends when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. In some cases, support may continue for children with disabilities or if agreed upon in the court order.
How does child support work if the parents have equal time with the child?
If you and the other parent have equal time with your children, child support is still necessary. In this situation, it will be paid by whichever one of you has a higher income. The goal is to ensure that your children experience a similar standard of living in both households.
Can my child support obligation be reduced or changed?
Your child support obligation can be adjusted as necessary. Life changes – such as income shifts, changes in parenting time or changes in the needs of your children – can all be grounds for modification. However, to adjust your obligation, you must file a request and convincingly demonstrate that significant changes have occurred.
Connect With A Child Support Lawyer For A Free Consultation
If you live in Essex County and are working to figure out a fair child support order, reach out to me if you need assistance. I offer free consultations to discuss your specific situation. Call me at 973-821-4199 or send me an email to arrange yours today.