When you said “I do” at the altar, you likely weren’t envisioning your marriage ending in divorce. However, it is a reality for many couples that they will separate, leading to a lengthy custody battle when children are involved. If you have custody of your children, ensuring they are receiving financial support from their non-custodial parent is crucial. Keep reading to learn how those with higher incomes pay child support and discover how a Bergen County, New Jersey child support lawyer can help you ensure your children are receiving the correct amount of financial support.
How Is Child Support Decided?
Child support is a highly contested issue for many, as it’s necessary to ensure that your children are taken care of should you and the other parent decide to divorce. Often, the non-custodial spouses responsible for making payments may disagree with the amount the courts decide, leading to appeals.
New Jersey calculates child support based on each parent’s income, the number of children receiving payments, and how much parenting time the non-custodial parent has. If one spouse makes significantly more, it will skew how much they owe the custodial parent for support, as they have more income that benefits the child.
Another factor influencing how much the non-custodial parent should pay toward financial support is the standard of living the children would anticipate living under if the parents were still together. If the children are used to a higher standard of living due to the non-custodial spouse’s income, the court may take additional funds into consideration, if they benefit the well-being of the children.
Other factors that influence how much financial support one parent must pay include whether or not the child has any special needs, medical expenses, or extracurricular activities they participate in. These can influence how much the other parent receives every month.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
If you make significantly less money than your spouse, you may be entitled to higher child support payments. Ensuring you have a competent lawyer on your side to represent you during a child support battle is crucial. After all, you shouldn’t be responsible for having full custody of the children and being the primary provider.
Using the income share method, New Jersey courts will estimate the monthly cost of raising a child, requiring the non-custodial parent to pay a percentage calculated on their share of the income from both parents. However, if you believe this amount is too low, you can appeal the decision and provide evidence as to why you believe your ex should pay more support.
When you need help navigating your child support arrangement, HD Family Law is ready to help. We will work to ensure you receive the correct amount of compensation for your circumstances. Reach out today to schedule a consultation to discuss the details of your case.
