Child Support Falling Behind in New Jersey? A Family Law Attorney Can Help
Ensuring their children have everything they need to live healthy, happy lives is a top priority for most parents. In New Jersey, both parents have a legal obligation to financially support their children. When a noncustodial parent gets behind on child support payments, the repercussions can be financially and emotionally taxing.
Led by Angelo Sarno, our family law team provides compassionate, tenacious legal representation you can trust. If you need help with child support enforcement in New Jersey, the family law attorneys at Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC can help you navigate the complex legal system and protect your child’s interests.
Understanding Child Support Laws in New Jersey
To ensure you’re getting the full amount of financial support you’re entitled to receive, it’s vital to understand how child support works in New Jersey. The state follows the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines, up to certain income limits, which aim to ensure the children’s needs are met.
Included in the analysis are considerations such as:
- Each parent’s income
- Number of children
- Custody arrangements and parenting time
- Childcare
- Healthcare expenses
- Educational expenses
- Extracurricular activities
- Special needs
The court may also consider other factors specific to the circumstances when determining child support amounts. Typically, once a child support order is granted, the noncustodial parent makes payments through the New Jersey Family Support Payment Center (NJFSPC). Using the NJFSPC provides documentation of payments, which can help minimize disputes over whether child support has been paid.
If your co-parent has fallen behind on payments, a child support attorney can determine the most effective course of action to help you get the financial support your child deserves.
Child Support Enforcement in New Jersey
If a noncustodial parent fails to fulfill their child support obligations, a family law attorney can file a motion for enforcement in family court. The court may then issue an order that requires immediate payment or penalizes the nonpaying parent.
Depending on the amount of arrears, child support orders may be enforced by:
- Wage garnishment
- Seizure of assets and tax refunds
- Bank account levies
- Confiscation of funds from personal injury settlements
- Suspension of driver’s, recreational, or professional licenses
- Passport denial
- Contempt of court, fines, and jail time
The Probation Child Support Enforcement (PCSE) Unit oversees enforcement efforts and helps custodial parents collect overdue payments. Our New Jersey child support lawyers are well-versed in how the system works and can help you understand your options and potential outcomes.
Enforcing Interstate Child Support Orders
Enforcing child support orders can be more complicated when a noncustodial parent lives out of state. Under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), child support orders remain enforceable across state lines. Our New Jersey child support lawyers can coordinate with agencies in other states to enforce payment and ensure compliance.
Child Support Modification in New Jersey
Issues like job loss, reduced hours, and illness may cause financial hardship and result in a noncustodial parent filing for a child support modification. Your New Jersey child support lawyer can investigate and determine whether a modification is valid and necessary or if it is an attempt to avoid financial responsibility. Conversely, if a noncustodial parent’s income increases, we can help you file for a child support modification to increase the amount you receive. Modification may also be necessary if custody arrangements or a child’s needs change, or if a parent has additional children.
Why Choose Our Child Support Attorneys?
Our family law attorneys know that battles over child support enforcement in New Jersey can be complicated and contentious. Our team provides compassionate legal support while ensuring your child’s rights and interests are protected.
Angelo Sarno and other members of our team are certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as matrimonial law attorneys. Our New Jersey family law firm was selected by its peers for inclusion in The Best Law Firms® in the fields of Family Law, Family Law Mediation, Mediation, and Arbitration. We’re by your side every step of the way and do everything we can to make the child support enforcement process as stress-free as possible.
Contact Our New Jersey Child Support Lawyers
At Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC, our family law attorneys are dedicated to helping you navigate challenging legal matters such as child support enforcement in New Jersey. To learn more, contact us or call 973-274-5200 to schedule a consultation with a New Jersey child support attorney. We offer convenient locations in Roseland, Bridgewater, Hackensack, Morristown, and Eatontown, NJ.
