New Jersey Child Support Calculator
If you are separating from your child’s parent or are contemplating seeking child support for the first time, you might turn to the New Jersey child support calculator for assistance in calculating what a child support order in your case might look like. If you need legal help, contact Arons & Solomon Divorce Lawyers. They can help when you call (201)-487-1199.
However, the calculator does come with some limitations you should be aware of. An experienced child support lawyer can explain the calculator and specific information that may warrant a deviation.
Table of Contents
What Is the New Jersey Child Support Calculator?
The New Jersey child support calculator is provided by the state of New Jersey to give a basic idea to parents and others about the potential amount of child support that would apply for a given case. It considers specific factors in the calculation, based on the child support guidelines. The calculator is an extremely abbreviated form of these longer guidelines.
What Factors Does the New Jersey Child Support Calculator Consider?
On the New Jersey child support calculator website, you will see the following factors:
Number of Children
The number of children for whom the child support award will apply is included.
Number of People in Household
The user inputs the number of people in the household.
Worksheet Type
The person using the calculator will click on whether the custody is sole or shared.
Percentage of Parenting Time
The user must input the percentage of parenting time for the primary custodial parent and the non-custodial parent. This information may be included in the child custody order.
Weekly Gross Taxable Income
The gross income is one of the primary factors used to determine a proper amount of support and also one of the most contested issues in child support cases.
New Jersey uses an income shares model. Under this model, the court considers the combined income of both parents and compares it to the average cost of raising a child in the state where the custodial parent resides.
Each parent is responsible for providing financial support that is equal to their percentage of the combined total. So, if a non-custodial parent makes up 40% of the combined income, they would be responsible for paying for 40% of the support obligation.
The court determines gross income based on the parents’ submitted employment information.
It then subtracts certain expenses, such as:
- Union dues
- Taxes
- Alimony
- Child support for children from other relationships
This helps the court determine the net income.
It then considers other factors, such as expenses related to the child, the amount of parenting time, the child support guidelines, outstanding costs to raise the child, and more. If one of the parents is unemployed or underemployed, the court can impute income to them.
Prior Support Orders
If there are any other support orders for either household, you must include this information in the calculation. This applies to both the custodial parent and the non-custodial parent.
Filing Status
The tax status of each parent also matters. You must select whether the tax status is single, married, or head of household for each parent.
Limitations of the New Jersey Child Support Calculator
While the calculator is a helpful starting point, it cannot account for every unique circumstance. Extraordinary medical expenses, childcare costs, educational needs, or special extracurricular activities may justify an adjustment from the standard calculation.
Additionally, if one parent has significant assets or income not reflected in their paycheck, the court may deviate from the calculator’s result. For these reasons, the calculator should be seen as an estimate rather than a guarantee of the final child support order.
Contact Arons & Solomon Divorce Lawyers for a Confidential Consultation
Even if you use the New Jersey child support calculator accurately, it is still possible that the result will not be right for your family. The court has discretion to deviate from the child support guidelines in certain situations, and its focus is always on doing what is in the child’s best interests.
An experienced attorney from Arons & Solomon Divorce Lawyers can explain the calculator, determine if there are valid reasons to deviate from it, and fight to protect your rights. Contact us today at 201-487-1199 for a confidential case review.
