Practice Area
Child Support
Making sure financial arrangements reflect both fairness and your family’s actual needs — calculated correctly, enforced when necessary.
OverviewNew Jersey calculates child support with statewide guidelines based on both parents’ income, the number of overnight visits each parent has, health-insurance premiums, and childcare costs. Support generally continues until the child turns 19 or graduates high school. Orders can be modified after a substantial, continuing change in circumstances.
Key takeaways
- Support follows New Jersey’s income-shares guidelines — it is formula-based, not arbitrary.
- Both parents’ income and the parenting-time split directly affect the amount.
- Support usually continues until age 19 or high-school graduation, whichever is later.
- You can modify or enforce an order through the court when circumstances warrant.
Numbers that reflect your real circumstances
Child support in New Jersey runs on a formula — but the inputs matter enormously, and small errors compound. Ann makes sure income is reported accurately, parenting time is counted correctly, and the result reflects your family’s actual situation.
Whether you’re establishing support, seeking a modification, or enforcing an order that’s gone unpaid, she handles the calculation and the court process with precision and care.
Framework
What New Jersey requires and how it’s calculated
The state uses a formula that accounts for both parents’ income and custody time, then applies percentages set by statute. Ann breaks down what those numbers mean for your family.
Combined parental income
The court adds wages, self-employment earnings, bonuses, and other income sources to create the base figure. The guideline percentage then applies to that total, with adjustments available for higher earners.
Parenting-time percentages
The number of overnight days each parent has the child directly reduces or increases the support obligation. More time with the child lowers what the other parent pays.
Deviations from guidelines
Judges can step outside the formula when a child has special needs, one parent carries other support obligations, or major financial changes occur. Ann identifies where the court has room to move.
What working with Ann looks like
Every case is different, but here's the shape of how Ann walks you through it.
Free consultation
Ann reviews your income, custody schedule, and the support outcome you need.
Accurate calculation
She runs the guideline numbers correctly — including self-employment and imputed income.
File or respond
Ann establishes, modifies, or responds to a support order through the court.
Enforce if needed
If support goes unpaid, she pursues garnishment, tax intercept, or contempt.
Support matters Ann handles
A focused family-law practice — here's what Ann handles in this area.
Child Support questions, answered
What you need to know about child support in New Jersey.
When does support end?
Child support typically continues until the child turns 19 or graduates high school, whichever comes later. Exceptions exist for children with disabilities or special circumstances. Ann reviews your specific situation to determine when obligations cease.
How do I enforce an order?
New Jersey offers wage garnishment, tax intercept, and contempt proceedings to enforce unpaid support. Ann pursues the right remedy based on the circumstances and ensures compliance through the court system.
What if income is self-employment?
Self-employed income requires careful documentation through tax returns and business records. Courts scrutinize these figures closely. Ann knows how to present self-employment earnings accurately and challenge inflated deductions.
Are there income limits?
New Jersey caps the combined parental income used in calculations, though courts can deviate above that cap. Ann explains how the cap affects your case and whether deviation applies to your family.
Can I modify an existing order?
Modification requires a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. Job loss, income increase, or custody shifts all qualify. Ann files the petition and presents evidence that supports the modification you need.
Free consultation
Your consultation is free. Let's talk through how we can help you.
Book a phone or video consultation to speak with Ann — confidential, no obligation, no pressure. Just a conversation about what you're facing and how we can help.
Confidential Consultation · Via Video or Phone