New Jersey Child Support Attorney

At Putterman Legal, our Atlantic County child support attorneys provide solutions-focused guidance and support to clients. We handle a wide range of child support matters, including initial determinations, modifications, and enforcement. Our firm has the knowledge, skills, and experience, backed by a team of experienced family law attorneys, to represent both mothers and fathers in child support cases. If you have any questions or concerns about a child support case, we are here to help, with a commitment to supporting families through complex legal challenges. Contact us today for a fully confidential consultation with a top New Jersey child support attorney, and experience our dedication to personalized client service.

What is Child Support?

Simply described, child support is a financial payment, established under child support laws, that one parent makes to the other to help cover the costs of raising a child. Understanding child support laws in New Jersey is essential for both parents to ensure proper compliance and enforcement.

Parents have a legal obligation to financially support the child’s needs, including for things such as food, housing, clothing, education, and medical care. It is designed to ensure the child’s and children’s basic needs are met. In New Jersey, support is calculated using state guidelines based on income, custody arrangement, and other factors. Ensuring children’s well-being is a top priority in all child support cases.

An Overview of the Child Support Guidelines in New Jersey

A key point to understand is that New Jersey uses a standardized set of Child Support Guidelines in order to determine how much financial support a non-custodial parent must pay. Child support terms are established based on these guidelines and can be adjusted as needed through legal processes. These guidelines apply in most cases and they exist to help produce an equitable outcome. The formula considers several factors, including both parents’ incomes, the number of children, the parenting time schedule, the primary residence and alternate residence of the child, the parent’s income, and costs such as health insurance and child care. The fundamental goal is to reflect the amount parents would have spent on the child if they were living together.

Note: The guidelines apply to combined net incomes up to a certain threshold, currently $187,200 per year. For higher-income cases, the court may supplement the calculated amount with additional support based on the child’s needs. The court may also consider particular circumstances, such as unique family situations, when determining support.

A Deviation from the Child Support Guidelines is Possible

In New Jersey, most child support cases are resolved using the state guidelines. With that being said, deviations from the guidelines may occur if following them would be unfair or inappropriate in a specific situation. Some examples include cases where there are special needs, such as medical or educational requirements, or if one parent has financial resources that are not actually captured effectively by their income level. The parent seeking a deviation (whether up or down) has the burden of proving that it is warranted based on the specific circumstances of the case.

Modifications and Enforcement of Child Support Orders in New Jersey

Life circumstances can change unexpectedly, and when they do, it may be necessary to revisit your existing child support order. In New Jersey, a significant change, such as a job loss, a substantial increase or decrease in income, or a shift in your child’s needs, can justify a modification of child support payments. Navigating this process can be challenging, but a skilled New jersey child support lawyer can help you understand your rights and obligations under the current child support guidelines.

If you need to modify a child support order, a New jersey child support attorney will guide you through the child support process, ensuring that all relevant factors, such as the child’s age, other expenses, and each parent’s income, are properly considered. The goal is to reach a fair outcome that reflects your family’s current situation and serves the best interests of your child.

Enforcement is another critical aspect of child support law. If a noncustodial parent fails to pay child support, the custodial parent has the right to seek enforcement actions through the court. These actions can include wage garnishment, seizure of assets, or even suspension of driver’s or professional licenses to ensure compliance with the child support order. A family law attorney can provide strong representation, advocating for your interests and your child’s well-being throughout the enforcement process. Whether you are seeking to modify an order or ensure payments are made, having an experienced advocate on your side can make all the difference in protecting your family’s financial security.

College Expenses and Child Support Obligations

In New Jersey, child support obligations often extend beyond high school graduation, especially when a child pursues higher education. The New Jersey child support guidelines recognize that college expenses, such as tuition, room, board, and related costs, are significant and must be addressed as part of the overall child support payments. Both parents are generally expected to contribute to these expenses, with the amount determined by their relative incomes, earning ability, and the specific needs of the child.

A knowledgeable New Jersey child support lawyer can help you understand how college costs are factored into child support amounts and assist in negotiating a comprehensive child support agreement. This agreement should clearly outline each parent’s responsibilities for college expenses, ensuring that the financial support provided is fair and reasonable given your family’s circumstances.

If a parent fails to pay their share of college expenses as required by the child support order, the other parent can pursue enforcement actions to ensure compliance. A family law attorney can guide you through the legal process, helping you account for all necessary factors and advocating for your child’s educational interests. By working with an experienced attorney, you can help secure your child’s future and ensure that both parents fulfill their obligations under New Jersey child support law.

Why Parents Rely On New Jersey Child Support Attorney Bonnie Putterman

Child support cases are complicated. Whether you are a mother or father, it is crucial that you are able to protect your legal rights and your financial interests. Our founder and principal attorney has the experience you can trust. As trusted New Jersey child support lawyers, we have built a reputation for guiding New Jersey families through complex legal matters. Our tell the story of what we can do best. When you reach out to us at our Atlantic County law office, you will have the opportunity to consult with a New Jersey child support attorney who can:

• Conduct a comprehensive, confidential review and assessment of your case;
• Help you gather and prepare all supporting financial documents and records;
• Represent you in child support settlement negotiations with your co-parent; and
• Take aggressive action focused on maximizing your financial compensation. 

Child Support in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Contact Our Atlantic County Child Support Lawyers Today

At Putterman Legal, our Atlantic County child support attorneys provide compassionate advocacy to clients. If you have any questions or concerns about child support, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a fully confidential, no obligation consultation at (609) 625-8383. Our firm handles child support cases in Atlantic County, Cape May County, and Cumberland County and throughout the region in New Jersey.