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Experienced Local Family Law Attorney Representing Clients Throughout South Jersey, Including Burlington, Camden, Gloucester And Cumberland Counties

In New Jersey, both parents are expected to contribute to the financial support of their children. Parents who are divorcing, separating or who were never married must develop a plan for how they intend to provide for their children. If they cannot work out a child support agreement that is in the best interests of the children, the court will do so for them.

Establishing Child Support

Child support is designed to cover ordinary expenses of food, shelter, clothing, education and medication. In most cases, child support is determined by the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines. This formula takes into consideration how much each parent earns, the amount of time the children live with each parent, the age and needs of the children, and numerous other factors, including who pays for health insurance and day care expenses.

Imputing Income

The family law court can impute income to a parent who is earning less than they reasonably could. For example, if a father quit a well-paying full-time job and now works part-time, the court may impute income to him based on his ability to earn, not his current income. Likewise, income may be imputed to a mother who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.

At The Law Offices of Stephen R. Piper, LLC, in Moorestown, New Jersey, I represent clients who need to establish, modify or enforce child support. Whether you want to minimize the amount of support you pay or maximize what you receive, please contact me, skilled family law attorney Stephen Piper, online or call me directly.

New Jersey child support payments are based on a formula, but I understand that the values you put into the formula make all the difference. I know what income and expenses must be accounted for to obtain a fair result. My law office has the technology software needed to review different child support scenarios so that you can see how they will affect you.

The court usually orders that child support be paid until a child is emancipated. This can occur when the child reaches the age of 18 and is working full time, has married or has entered military service. Support may be extended if the child is attending school.

Modification Of Child Support

The court recognizes that people’s lives and circumstances change. If you lost a job, became disabled or became financially responsible for more children, you may not be able to meet your court-ordered child support obligation. I can request that the court modify your child support to reflect your new circumstances. It is important to talk to an attorney as soon as you experience a significant change in circumstances. The modified child support obligation is only retroactive to the date of filing the motion for modification – not to the date of the change itself.

Enforcement Of Child Support

If your child’s other parent is not paying child support, I can take steps to enforce the court order. I can represent you at an enforcement hearing that will consider remedies ranging from wage garnishment to issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of the party who is not paying support.

To learn more about child support in New Jersey, please contact my firm online or call me at 856-333-3586.

From offices in Moorestown, New Jersey, I represent clients in Camden, Burlington, Gloucester and Cumberland counties and throughout South Jersey as well as in the Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania.