On February 1, 2017, New Jersey’s newest child support law will go into effect. Governor Chris Christie signed the Termination of Child Support law in January 2016 that will provide the early termination of some child support agreements.
The changes will allow for a parent to provide their child with continuous monetary and medical support after the age of 19 depending on the situation. If the child is a full-time college student, their parent may be able to provide child support payments and medical insurance coverage until they are 23. This can also be the case if the child has a disability or if it was separately agreed upon by the parents.
If the child is at least 22 3/4 by February 1, 2017, the parent who makes child custody payments will be sent a Notice of Child Support Obligation Termination. Upon receiving this notice, the parent’s obligation to make child support payments will end on May 1, 2017. If the child is between the age of 22 1/2 and 22 3/4 by the first day of February 2017, the parent will be obligated to make child custody payments until August 1, 2017. If the child turns 19 after August 1, 2017, the parent will receive their termination notice 180 days before their 19th birthday.
If parents wish to make payments after the child’s 19th birthday, they can submit a Request for Continuation of Support. The parent who submits this document will also have to provide proof that the child would need this extension. The proof can be documents of any disability that existed before the child turned 19 or that the child is still enrolled in high school or university.
It is important that you do not stop making payments until you receive the official Notice of Child Support Obligation Termination from the state of New Jersey. If you have questions regarding your child support obligations when the law changes, speak with an experienced family law attorney who can help you.
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 divorce and family legal services they deserve. Contact our firm for a consultation today.
