Child Support – Financial Help for Your Children
In the state of New Jersey, child support is governed by statute and the application of child support guidelines. Anna-Maria Pittella will explain these guidelines to you and work with you to get the financial help your family needs.
Broadly, this is how child support works: 
- Each parent’s income or imputed earnings are determined to calculate the child support payment. The two incomes are used in a formula to determine the child support payments for the number of children under 18 in a household. Depending on what each party earns, the child support would be paid on a proportional basis by each parent. The parent who does not live with the child would pay the proportional share of the computed amount to the other parent.
- An “imputed” figure may be determined if a parent is not working based on what a parent is capable of earning or has historically earned. For instance, if a parent was recently unemployed but has a history of earning $50,000 per year, that same amount may be used to determine how much child support should be paid.
- The child support guidelines do not apply to cases where a parent earns an amount of money over $187,200.00. Since in those cases the formulated support amount would not reflect the child’s lifestyle, an additional amount of child support would be crafted to address lifestyle.
- Child support can be paid directly to the other parent or through the Family Court Support System. Child support is only collected through the Family Court System until a child turns 19 unless proof is provided that the child continues in school. When a parent is not cooperative in paying child support, sometimes the only option is to file an application in court for a support order to be entered or enforced.
- Even though child support is based on a guideline, parents can deviate from that guideline and determine how they wish to meet the financial needs of their children.
If you are considering divorce or separation and would like to learn more about child support, please contact Monmouth County child support attorney Anna-Maria Pittella at 732-842-6939.