WHAT TO EXPECT DURING DIVORCE: MEN'S EDITION
DOWNLOAD EBOOKChildren are entitled by law to financial support from both parents during and following divorce. Of course, if you’re like most parents, you want to ensure your children’s well-being, financially and otherwise. You want them to continue having a quality of life similar to what they enjoyed when you were an intact family. You also want to be sure that the child support agreement is fair to you.
When you’re faced with child support issues, a skilled attorney can protect your rights. The New Jersey child support lawyers at our law firm represent parents ordered to pay child support, as well as those needing to obtain support. We can assist you even if you were never married to the other parent.
Contact [MFR] Men’s & Fathers’ Rights Divorce Lawyers at (201) 880-9770 to learn how we can help you. One of our Bergen County child support attorneys will answer your questions, explain your rights and stand up for your interests.
Why Choose Our New Jersey Family Law Firm?
Our attorneys have decades of combined experience helping families find equitable solutions that ensure their children’s financial security. We provide straightforward legal representation that is strategically tailored to get our clients the best possible outcomes.
- Firm founder Carrie S. Schultz is widely recognized by her legal peers for her professional achievements and is Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney.
- We spend 100% of our time focusing in divorce & family law cases.
- We seek to meet client needs and find legal solutions that are the most effective and efficient to avoid running up hefty bills.
- We are responsive—in most cases, you will hear from us within 24-48 hours.
- Our law firm has a Better Business Bureau A+ rating.
Read reviews from past clients about our New Jersey family law firm.
How We Can Help You
When you choose us we will help you by delivering educated legal support throughout every step in your child support matter. We will advise you about:
- How who pays support is decided
- How payment amounts are calculated
- What you may expect to happen based on the facts of your situation
- What your rights and responsibilities are when it comes to child support.
Our NJ child support attorneys will stand up for your interests whether negotiating child support outside of court or before a judge.
In a nutshell, no matter your child support situation, we will provide high-quality guidance that you can trust throughout the legal process.
Who Pays Child Support And How Much?
Many fathers automatically assume that they will have to pay child support. This assumption is incorrect. The truth about child support is that both parents have an obligation to the child and after the child support for both parents individually is calculated, the net affect of that figure is given to the other parent. Because Father’s were historically the higher wage earner, this meant that the Father’s child support obligation to the Mother would be proportionately more but his child support is reduced by Mother’s obligation and the difference is paid by Father to Mother (as an example).
How Are Payments Calculated?
The New Jersey Child Support Guidelines offer a starting framework for helping judges determine child support payment amounts. The guidelines use a mathematical formula to determine how much money is needed to raise a child in the state and, from there, to arrive at child support amounts. Parents can get a rough idea of what they may collect or pay by visiting the New Jersey Child Support online calculator. However, do not rely solely on it, because if you input incorrect data, the amount can and will vary greatly. You may also exceed the threshold income amounts where the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines do not only apply. Plus, the court has the authority to determine the final amount based on all the factors involved, including:
- The number of children
- How many overnights or 12-hour consecutive blocks of time children spend with each parent
- Each parent’s income, actual or imputed
- Child care costs
- Health insurance premium costs for the children only
- Whether alimony is being paid and received.
When you’re divorcing, or even if you are not married to the other parent, our New Jersey child support lawyers will advocate on your behalf in support decisions.
Our Hackensack Child Support Attorneys Answer FAQS
Following are answers to questions our firm frequently receives about child support.
- A court order specifies another age for the termination of support
- A child is severely mentally or physically incapacitated and is financially dependent on a parent
- The child is still finishing high school or is attending college or a trade school full-time. Working part time while in school is not a reason to stop child support.
Payment And Enforcement Of Child Support
In some cases, child support payments can be automatically deducted from the payer’s wages by their employer. The payments are then sent by employers to the child support agency, which pays the custodial parent. Other payment arrangements may be made by court order and could include weekly, biweekly or monthly payments directly online or through the mail or at county child support offices. There are even child support payment locations at participating retail stores that accept cash payments.
Consequences of Failing to Pay
If paying parents get behind in paying or don’t pay at all, they face tough consequences, including:
- Tax refund interception
- Seizure of stocks, bonds and other assets
- Interception of lottery and casino winnings
- Passport denial if more than $2,500 is owed
- Suspension or revocation of driver’s license
- Suspension of professional, occupational, recreational and sporting licenses
- Reporting of unpaid debt to credit-rating agencies if over $1,000 is owed
- Incarceration for up to six months.
If you are owed payments, our New Jersey child support lawyers can assist you in pursuing past-due payments.
If you are behind in paying your support obligation, we can assess your circumstances and advise you about what to do. If you can’t afford to pay, you may be able to negotiate a payment plan with the other parent or obtain a child support modification.
Take action right away if you do not have the money to make payments. Do not ignore the situation, as it will catch up to you. If you receive notice that a child support enforcement hearing has been scheduled, be sure to attend. If you do not, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.
Get Help From A Dedicated NJ Divorce And Child Support Lawyer
We know that most parents want what is best for their children. Our NJ child support attorneys want that, too. We also want to ensure that all parents are treated fairly in child support decisions in relation to their income and circumstances. When you want to be sure your rights and the interests of your kids are protected, turn to our knowledgeable New Jersey family law firm for help. Call us today at (201) 880-9770.
Carrie S. Schultz, Esq.
Thank you for visiting our site. We realize that if you are reading this, you or someone you know is having marital or family difficulties. We truly understand how unsettling that can be for all involved. I personally want to invite you to explore the website which contains a lot of informational and educational items which I hope is of benefit to you. I also welcome you to contact us to schedule a case evaluation to discuss your matter in greater detail. Our firm philosophy is to always remain committed to providing our clients with the best service, care, guidance, communication, and legal advice possible for your particular situation. We take seriously you entrusting us with your legal matter. Happy researching!
