What Expenses Does Child Support Cover in New Jersey?

Child support is ordered in divorces involving children to ensure both parents contribute to their children’s daily necessities and well-being, similar to their standard of living during the marriage. The non-custodial parent pays child support allotments to the primary custodial parent for the children to cover expenses, including but not limited to:

• Medical and dental expenses include health insurance premiums, co-pays, uninsured healthcare costs, and expenses associated with children with special needs.
• Educational expenses for primary and higher education, including tuition, fees, and supplies.
• Childcare expenses, such as daycare or after-school programs while the parent attends work or school.
• Extracurricular activity expenses, such as sports, music lessons, and other recreational activities benefitting the child.
• Transportation costs between the custodial and non-custodial parent’s residences, school, and certain extracurricular activities.
• Parent living expenses provided to the primary custodial parent from the non-custodial parent for living expenses of indirectly supporting the children, such as partial rent or mortgage, utilities, and other associated costs.
• College expenses for children over age 18 in certain cases to cover college or higher education expenses, with specific provisions detailing how costs are divided between the parents.
• Premium costs for health insurance coverage one or both parents are required to provide.
• Unreimbursed medical expenses not covered by insurance, which may also include deductibles and co-pays.
• Repayment of arrears if the non-custodial parent falls behind on child support payments, which can include interest in addition to the overdue child support allotments.
• Child-related expenses, such as school uniforms, textbooks, supplies, and personal care items.
• Entertainment and gifts that indirectly benefit the child’s overall well-being, though the court's main focus is ensuring the child’s essential needs are met first.

How Is Child Support Calculated in New Jersey?

Child support is determined using the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines, a comprehensive system that considers both parents’ income and the specific needs of the child to ensure children receive adequate financial support from both parents. The guidelines are designed to establish a fair approach to child support payments and prioritize the child’s best interests. After calculating each parent’s share of combined income, the courts apply those figures to the costs of raising the child, such as housing, food, and education. Numerous factors related to both parents and children are considered when determining child support, such as:

• Parents’ current ages and health
• Child’s age, health, needs, or special needs
• Parents’ and child’s standard of living
• Parents’ income, assets, and debts
• Parents’ current and future earning capacity
• Parents’ time and expense for employment training or experience
• Child’s current and future educational needs
• Older child’s income, earning capacity, and assets
• Parents’ child support obligations for other children
• Any other factors the court deems relevant

While the guidelines provide a starting point, the courts can adjust final child support payments when warranted in unique situations to balance fairness while maintaining the child’s well-being. When a parent experiences a significant change in circumstances, such as more or less income or custody arrangements, child support orders can be modified to accommodate current circumstances.

What if My Co-Parent Does Not Comply with Child Support Orders?

Parents should openly communicate and cooperate to foster a healthy environment, minimize conflicts, and prioritize the child’s best interests. Parents should maintain detailed and organized records of all child-related expenses and child support payments to ensure transparency and compliance with court orders. Documenting these items can help resolve disputes and provide evidence of compliance to the court.

Failure to comply with child support orders can result in significant legal consequences, including wage garnishment, suspension of driving or professional licenses, and imprisonment in extreme cases. Consulting an experienced New Jersey child support lawyer can help you fully understand the terms of your child support orders and how they apply and avoid suffering consequences for noncompliance.

Monmouth County Child Support Lawyers at Sanvenero & Cittadino Attorneys at Law Help Clients Understand, Modify, and Enforce Child Support Orders

Child support is designed to address children’s daily needs following divorce. If you have questions regarding your child support orders, schedule a free consultation with the experienced Monmouth County child support lawyers at Sanvenero & Cittadino Attorneys at Law. Call 732-743-9665 or contact us online. Located in Red Bank, New Jersey, we serve clients in Monmouth County, Middlesex County, and Ocean County.