Child Support Attorney In New Jersey

Child Support Attorneys Near You in New Jersey

Between covering everyday expenses and dealing with the upheaval of a separation or divorce, providing adequate support for your children can be challenging. Our family law attorneys at Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC, led by Angelo Sarno, understand the legal complexities, financial issues, and personal challenges involved in child support matters. Our child support lawyers in New Jersey are dedicated to serving families and work tirelessly to protect your child’s best interests. We can help you establish support, modify an existing child support order, and provide legal assistance with payment enforcement or any other family law issues that arise.

What Is Child Support?

Child support payments are made by one parent to help cover the costs of raising children after a separation or divorce. In New Jersey, every child is entitled to share in the income of both parents so children receive support from each parent, regardless of where they live or how much money the custodial parent makes. Our family law attorneys are well-versed in child support laws and provide legal guidance to help you understand how it works in New Jersey.

How Child Support Is Calculated in New Jersey

New Jersey uses state-approved child support guidelines to explain how support obligations are calculated using state-specific formulas. The formula considers each parent’s individual income, and the combined gross monthly income of both parents as a starting point, minus deductions such as taxes, mandatory retirement contributions, and other child support obligations. In addition to looking at income and assets, the family court reviews the factors considered in each family’s living arrangements, including:

Child custody and parenting time
The physical, mental, and emotional needs of the child
The number of children involved
Childcare expenses
Educational expenses
Health insurance premiums
Uncovered medical expenses
Other child support obligations

A judge may also consider additional factors specific to the case and the overall family situation. Each family’s situation is different, and how child support is calculated can often be complicated. Our knowledgeable child support lawyers ensure that any support you pay or receive is fair and appropriate. Our New Jersey family law attorneys can also help you resolve any disputes that may arise and challenge unfair child support calculations.

How Child Support Payments are Made in New Jersey

Child support payments are usually paid monthly and are intended to help cover essential needs such as housing, food, clothing, education, medical care, and, in some cases, extracurricular activities. Unlike spousal support or alimony, child support is meant strictly for the child’s benefit, not the custodial parent’s personal use. Child support is usually paid through the New Jersey Family Support Payment Center (FSPC), which acts as the state’s centralized processing agency.

In many cases, child support is automatically deducted by the paying parent’s employer, and the employer forwards the payment to the FSPC, which then distributes funds to the custodial parent. This method helps to ensure payments are made regularly and on time. In cases where income withholding isn’t possible, the parent must send payments directly to the FSPC. Child support payments can be made online, by mail, or at authorized payment locations. In child support cases, an attorney can help with required paperwork and represent clients during payment-related hearings or other legal proceedings.

Child Support Modification

Life changes such as job loss, a raise, or health issues can significantly affect a parent’s financial situation and may warrant modifying an existing order. However, it must be a proven substantial change for a judge to consider changing support, and in certain circumstances support may continue beyond the usual age, such as when a child has a physical or mental disability. This includes:

Changes to child custody arrangements or parenting time
Loss of employment
A significant increase or decrease in income
Illness or disability
Incarceration
Change in the child’s needs (medical, educational, or otherwise)
Having another child
Cost-of-living increases

New Jersey courts require clear proof of these changes before modifying support. A modification requires a formal request to the court based on significant changes in circumstances, such as changes in income or job loss. Typically, temporary or anticipated changes do not qualify for child support modification. If you believe your order needs to be adjusted, a family law attorney can provide legal guidance on seeking changes to a child support agreement and help you gather the necessary documentation to back your claim. We can advise you of your options and help you file for modifications of existing orders when a substantial change in circumstances is shown.

Child Support Enforcement

Unfortunately, some parents fail to pay child support required by a court order. When this happens, the custodial parent can ask the court to take legal action to enforce payment. Enforcement measures may include:

Wage garnishment
Interest on unpaid support
Seizing assets
Property liens
Interception of tax refunds, lottery winnings, or personal injury settlements
Credit bureau reporting
Suspension of driver’s, recreational, and professional licenses
Passport denial
Bench warrants or incarceration

Our experienced New Jersey family child support attorneys can help you pursue enforcement quickly and effectively through these legal proceedings if a parent falls behind on child support.

Termination of Child Support

Generally, in New Jersey, child support is terminated when a child turns 19. However, support can continue past 19 for a child who is still in high school, attending full-time post-secondary education, or has a disability. Child support also ends if a child is legally emancipated, dies, gets married, or joins the military before the age of 19. If you need help ensuring support is terminated or requesting continuation of support for a child who’s disabled or attending school, our family law attorneys can help.

Why Choose Our New Jersey Child Support Lawyers?

We understand that child support isn’t just about money. It’s also about protecting your child’s well-being and future. Led by Angelo Sarno, our family law team includes certified matrimonial law attorneys with decades of experience representing clients in New Jersey family courts. Our child support attorneys know that each situation is unique, and provide personalized, creative legal strategies tailored to your family’s specific needs and circumstances.

Tenacious, Compassionate Legal Advocacy You Can Trust

Angelo and his team are experienced attorneys and skilled negotiators who provide strong legal advocacy both outside and inside the courtroom. Whether it’s through negotiation, litigation, or alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration, our family law attorneys help clients settle disputes involving divorce, child custody, support, alimony, property division, and more. Our law firm was selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers® in the fields of Family Law, Family Law Mediation, Mediation, and Arbitration – Plaintiffs.

Our family law attorneys understand that many parents dealing with child support issues can feel stressed and overwhelmed. Our goal is to make the process smoother, protect your rights, and provide objective guidance to help you make legally sound decisions while ensuring your child receives the financial support they deserve. To learn more, check out our New Jersey Child Support Guide.

Find an Experienced Child Support Lawyer Near You in New Jersey

If you’re dealing with support issues, the family lawyers at Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC are ready to help protect your child’s financial security. To schedule a consultation with a child support attorney near you in New Jersey, contact us or call 973-609-5235. We offer several convenient locations near you in Roseland, Bridgewater, Hackensack, Morristown, and Eatontown, NJ.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support in New Jersey

What’s the Difference Between Alimony and Child Support?

Alimony provides financial support for a former spouse, while child support is intended specifically for a child’s needs, with the amount of support to be paid based on the child’s needs and each parent’s financial circumstances.

Who Pays Child Support in a Shared Custody Arrangement?

It depends. Even when parents share custody, support may still be required depending on the incomes of each parent, the expenses each covers, and how much time the child spends with the other parent.

Can I Stop Paying Child Support if I Lose My Job?

No. If you lose your job, the paying parent must continue making payments until the court changes the order. If you’re unable to make payments for any reason, it’s important to contact a family law attorney who can help you take swift action and request a child support modification from the court.

How Do I Establish Paternity to Get Child Support in New Jersey?

If a child’s father disputes paternity, your child support attorney can help you file a paternity action. A judge may order DNA testing, and once paternity is confirmed, the court can issue a child support order.

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Child Support Case?

Although you’re not required to have a lawyer for child support disputes in New Jersey, hiring a family law attorney greatly increases your chances of securing a fair outcome and can help you avoid costly, drawn-out court battles.