During divorce proceedings, a judge or spouses will decide on child support. This marital issue may be needed to financially help the custodial parent support the children. Since they spend more of their time with the child and providing for them, the other parent may be demanded to pay child support for the child’s needs. This is a court-ordered mandate that must be followed. Otherwise, penalties may be charged to an individual who fails to follow the orders. Child support payments in New Jersey do not have a specific age when they stop. The child does not turn a certain age and payments stop. Instead, there are situations that can lead to the end of support payments. One parent can relieve another parent of their duty to fulfill child support in a written agreement. If the child turns 19 and is financially independent, a parent may ask the court to file papers, making the child emancipated. This will then put a stop to child support.

When child support payments stop, the mandate is no longer in effect. Decisions on marital issues can be revisited if they are not proving to be sufficient or if the circumstances have changed in the child’s life or the parents’ lives. These cases can be taken back to court to make modifications to the original agreement.

How is child support decided?

New Jersey judges have to review various factors to determine the best support structure. These factors can include a range of aspects that are considered to ensure that the child is taken care of. These factors consist of the financial status of each parent, each party’s work history and each party’s earning capacity. In addition to this, the income, debt and assets of each parent are considered. The judge can estimate how much each parent can provide for the child financially. The judge considers the amount of time the child spends living with each parent. Since the court needs to decide with the best interests of the child in mind, they consider a variety of factors involving the child. This includes the child’s needs, age, health, education and the cost of providing for the child, including daycare.

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. Contact our firm for a consultation today.