Child Support

New Jersey Child Support and Support Modification

Ridgewood Child Support Attorneys

Children deserve emotional and financial support from both their parents, even if their parents were never married or are having a strained relationship after divorce.

The family law courts in New Jersey have developed child support guidelines to ensure that children receive the financial support they need. Child support orders are part of every child custody case in divorce or paternity.

At the family law office of Aretsky & Aretsky, in Ridgewood, New Jersey, our attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of children and parents in child support cases. Contact our law office if...

• You have questions about how the New Jersey child support guidelines will apply to you
• You need help enforcing an existing child support order
• You need help changing a child support order
• You are behind in your child support payments and would like help negotiating a plan to get current with your child support or reducing your child support based upon a change in income

Factors in Determining Child Support Payments

The amount of child support paid by the non-custodial parent is based on the incomes of each parent, as well as any special needs of the child. While the baseline child support payment is set by New Jersey child support guidelines, the court can deviate from those guidelines if your child support attorney can prove that your situation warrants a change.

Child support is a continuing obligation until your child is eighteen. If your child attends college, support may continue until the child graduates. If this was not clearly mentioned in your initial child support order, you may request a modification but you must do so before the child turns 18.

Modification of Existing Child Support Orders

Child support payments can be modified when there is a substantial change in the needs of the child, or the financial circumstances of either parent. Examples of a "substantial change" would include a significant change in income or the birth of another child requiring support from the parent already paying child support.

Child support modifications should never be made as an informal agreement between the parents. This would leave the parent making child support payments vulnerable to false charges of failing to pay child support.

Our attorneys regularly work with custodial and non-custodial parents on child support matters. We take the time necessary to understand your family situation and changing circumstances and work to protect your interests in court.

Contact our New Jersey Child Support Lawyers

For legal help with child support or child support enforcement, contact Aretsky & Aretsky by e-mail or call 201-445-5856.