Child support is one of the most important matters to determine during a divorce. Once the matters of your divorce have been finalized, they can be difficult to change. As a result, you may be wondering when child support payments can be terminated in New Jersey. Read on for more information.
How Does the Court Determine the Amount of Child Support Payments?
Generally, child support will be paid to the custodial parent by the non-custodial parent. In order to determine the amount and frequency of child support payments, a New Jersey court will examine the following factors:
- The child custody arrangement you and your spouse currently have in place
- Your child’s needs
- You and your spouse’s earning capacity
- You and your spouse’s age and health
- The age and health of your child
- Whether your child has any special needs
- Whether your child is seeking higher education, such as college
- Whether you or your spouse have any liabilities
- You and your spouse’s standard of living
- You and your spouse’s yearly income
What is the Age of Emancipation in New Jersey?
Child support may end when a child reaches the age of emancipation. In New Jersey, the age of emancipation is typically 19-years-old. It is important to know that this age is not set in stone. There are many cases in which a court will extent child support payments past the age of 19. For example, this may occur if your child chooses to pursue higher education.
Child support may also be terminated early. This can occur if your child is over the age of 18 and you can prove to the court that they are financially independent. If the court finds your child to be independent, they can be emancipated and support payments can end. It is important to know that you cannot stop paying child support until it is officially ruled by a New Jersey court. If you do not pay your court-ordered child support, you can face serious legal repercussions.
If you have any questions or concerns about child support in New Jersey, contact our experienced firm today.
Contact our Firm
We understand how emotional and difficult matters of family law can be. If you need the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney to help protect your right to your family, please do not hesitate to contact our experienced firm. We are eager and dedicated to helping you through this difficult time. Our personal injury specialists at Greenberg & Walden, LLC are standing by for a free initial consultation. Call us at 201-528-6928
