It should go without saying that it is the parents’ responsibility to support their children until they reach the age of emancipation, which in New Jersey is 18 years. Sometimes, parental obligation extends beyond that point. All that said, your former spouse has not been meeting his or her financial obligations as decreed by the Family Court of New Jersey. If you require assistance in ensuring that your former spouse pays his or her fair share, please read on, then contact an experienced Sparta child support attorney to learn what you should know about enforcing child support in New Jersey.
How does New Jersey calculate child support?
The Garden State employs a fairly straightforward metric. Based on a couple’s combined gross income, i.e. the amount earned before taxes and deductions, a percentage will be calculated based on the number of children. The percentages are as follows:
- 17% for 1 child
- 25% for 2 children
- 29% for 3 children
- 31% for 4 children
- 35% for five or more children
How do you enforce child support in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the Child Support Program is supervised by the state Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development, Office of Child Support Services, and is administered in individual counties. If one parent does not pay what they are legally required to, the other parent or the Child Support Program can file a support violation petition in Family Court. The penalties for the non-paying parent are as follows:
- Wage garnishments
- Wage assignments
- Contempt of court decrees
- Seizure of the non-payer’s property by writ of execution
In extreme cases, the court may issue an arrest warrant if the noncustodial parent fails to appear in court for a violation hearing or falls seriously behind in child support payments. In such cases of willful nonpayment of child support, the delinquent parent may go to jail for a period of time.
How can a Sussex County family law attorney help you enforce child support in New Jersey?
While New Jersey’s Office of Child Support Services can help enforce child support, you should reach out to a skilled Sparta, NJ divorce law firm that will file the correct paperwork and attend a hearing on your behalf. These matters may seem simple, but mistakes can be costly. If nothing else, they are time-consuming. A legal representative can fully apprise you of your rights and responsibilities. Our firm will also provide you with an honest assessment of your case and its likelihood of success. These cases can languish. Do not let yours be one of them. Give us a call today.
Contact our Firm
We understand that those getting a divorce most likely have several questions regarding the weeks and months to come. Paris P. Eliades Law Firm, LLC is honored to serve the people of New Jersey, including Sparta, Sussex County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Bergen County with the quality legal services they deserve. If you are getting a divorce or have any other questions regarding divorce-related matters, please do not hesitate to contact our firm for a consultation today.
