New Jersey has a formula for calculating the child support obligation of each parent. When determining child support with joint custody in New Jersey, a parent whom the formula determines should pay “more” in child support, practically speaking, will be the person really paying. Some of the principal factors that go into determining the child support obligation of each parent include:
How many nights the child spends with each parent
The income and other financial circumstances of each parent
The expenses associated with caring for the child, including living expenses, educational expenses, medical expenses, etc.
Many parents are surprised to learn that child support with joint custody in New Jersey does not automatically mean neither parent pays support. If one parent spends significantly more nights with the child, they are more likely to receive child support. If the parties spend roughly equal nights with the children, but one parent has a significantly higher income, the court is likely to order the higher-income parent to pay at least some child support.
When evaluating child support with joint custody in New Jersey, courts look closely at both parenting time and the financial circumstances of each parent. If the parents have roughly the same income and share a 50/50 split of time and expenses related to the children, then there might not be a child support award.
Get Answers to Your New Jersey Child Custody Questions
Understanding child support with joint custody in New Jersey can be complicated, especially when parenting schedules, income, and child-related expenses vary from family to family.
If you’re considering divorce in New Jersey or dealing with child support, child custody, property division, or other family law issues, contact the Englewood family law attorneys at Herbert & Weiss or call (201) 440-6300.
