Enforcing Child Support Payments In New Jersey: What To Do When Payments Fall Behind
When parents refuse to make child support payments in New Jersey, it can have devastating impacts on their children. Missed or inconsistent payments can disrupt your ability to provide housing, pay child care and school expenses, and impact daily routines.
If you’re relying on support to help meet your child’s needs, facing uncertainty is both stressful and frustrating. Our experienced New Jersey child support lawyers help parents understand how child support enforcement works and explain the steps you can take when payments stop or fall short.
Common Reasons For Falling Behind On Child Support Payments in New Jersey
Under the New Jersey Statutes, parents have a legal obligation to support their children. Child support payments in New Jersey are calculated based on facts in the case, including each parent’s income, the child’s needs, and the amount of time the child spends in each home.
Once you have a New Jersey child support order in place, the other parent must comply with it. However, support payments can fall behind for many reasons. Sometimes the non-paying parent experiences a genuine financial setback. In other cases, it is more about power struggles between the couple. Some of the most common scenarios:
- A parent quits or changes jobs without notifying the court,
- Payments stop after informal agreements that the court never approved.
- A parent claims financial hardship but continues discretionary spending.
- They are self-employed or a business owner and underreport or hide income.
Regardless of the reason, child support orders remain legally binding unless modified by the court. A parent cannot decide on their own to reduce or stop payments. Taking legal action now helps prevent the situation from escalating.
Enforcing a New Jersey Child Support Order
The New Jersey Family Court takes child support seriously. When a parent ignores an order and stops paying, there are legal tools to hold them accountable.
These measures help force compliance and ensure children are provided for properly. Enforcement options available through the court and the New Jersey Department of Human Services include:
- Wage garnishment through automatic income withholding;
- Interception of tax refunds, lottery winnings, or unemployment benefits;
- Suspension of driver’s licenses or professional licenses;
- Reporting arrears to credit bureaus;
- Court enforcement motions that may result in fines or other penalties.
In serious cases, the court may hold a non-paying parent in contempt. Judges review financial records, employment status, and payment history to determine whether nonpayment was willful. If the court finds intentional avoidance, it can impose stricter consequences.
Not Receiving the Payments Your Child Needs? Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Child Support Lawyers
When child support payments in New Jersey fall behind, there are legal enforcement options available. At Sanvenero & Cittadino Law Office, we take the steps needed to secure the full amount your child needs.
Our New Jersey child support lawyers combine legal experience with a deep commitment to the communities we serve. Proudly serving clients in Monmouth County, NJ, Central New Jersey, and throughout the state, contact our office to request a consultation today.
Sources:
lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=Publish:10.1048/Enu
njchildsupport.gov/