Piscataway Child Support Lawyer

Every parent must play a role in their child’s life until that child reaches adulthood. When a child’s parents no longer live together, that role often comes in the form of child support payments. However, the exact process by which courts decide how much child support one parent owes to the other can be complicated in even the most seemingly straightforward situations—and it’s built to prioritize the needs of the child, not necessarily the desires of either parent.

If you want to negotiate for a preferable support order from a Piscataway family court, it is wise to work with a family attorney who knows how to handle matters like this efficiently and in line with state law. Jennifer Marshall, a skilled Piscataway child support lawyer, could negotiate the terms you desire without putting your own best interests or those of your child at risk. Additionally, if your co-parent has fallen behind on payments, she can help you secure the money you and your child are rightfully owed. Contact our firm today to discuss your unique situation with a dedicated legal professional.

How State Courts Calculate Child Support Obligations

Local courts calculate how much child support each parent is expected to provide based mainly on each parent’s yearly income, and how much income each parent makes compared to the other. For example, if two parents have a combined total income of $100,000 a year and they each make $50,000 per year individually, they would each need to pay for 50 percent of the total support their child should receive. If one parent made $30,000 and the other made $70,000, they are expected to pay for 30 percent and 70 percent of the child’s total support.

From there, the court will make adjustments for things like child care, healthcare, and, most importantly, for what amount of time each parent spends with their child. There are different formulas for “sole parenting” situations versus “shared parenting” situations, as a Piscataway child support attorney can explain in more detail during a consultation.

Disagreements often start with income. If one parent is paid hourly, works overtime, receives bonuses, or is self-employed, the numbers may not be consistent from month to month. Some parents also worry that the other parent is not being honest about income or is taking steps to make it appear they earn less than they actually do. We help you gather the right documents and present the information in a way the court can use.

Parenting time is another common flashpoint. A schedule written on paper is not always the schedule that is actually happening. If the case involves shared parenting time, it can affect the calculation of support. That is why we ask direct questions about school days, overnights, transportation, and who handles day-to-day care.

What Other Factors Play Into a Child Support Order?

The child support formula outlined above will provide a basic amount of support that the court will expect each parent to provide, with payments usually going from the parent without primary custody to the parent with primary custody. That said, courts have the authority to deviate from the support amount suggested by the standard guidelines based on numerous factors, including:

• Whether one parent makes substantially more money than the other
• Whether the child has special educational, medical, and/or social needs
• How old the child is
• Whether either parent paid for the other’s medical care in the past without getting paid back
• Each parent’s support obligations for children from other parents and/or disabled elderly family members

While the courts will always prioritize the child’s best interests above anything else, our child support attorney serving Piscataway could help negotiate for a more favorable decision by emphasizing certain factors over others.

Support disputes also involve day-to-day expenses that parents forget to address until the relationship gets tense. Health insurance, unreimbursed medical costs, child care, and activity fees can turn into constant arguments if the order is vague. We focus on building terms that reduce repeat conflict, because repeat conflict usually harms the child the most.

If your co-parent is behind, it is also important to stay organized. A payment history, written communication, and proof of direct expenses may matter. In New Jersey, Probation Child Support Enforcement is responsible for monitoring and taking enforcement action when court-ordered support is not being paid.

What to Bring to A Child Support Consultation

If you bring the following key items, you will get more useful guidance in the first meeting with your Piscataway child support attorney:

• Recent pay stubs and recent tax returns
• Proof of health insurance costs for the child
• Child care invoices or receipts if child care is part of the routine
• A written summary of the parenting time schedule that is actually happening
• Any existing court orders or written agreements
• A list of regular child-related expenses you pay directly

If the issue is changing an order, the court’s self-help materials list forms that may be needed, including a Summary Form for Financial Information, and in some situations, a Family Case Information Statement.

Need Help from a Piscataway Child Support Attorney? Call Jennifer Marshall

Unless someone has had their parental rights taken away, they are expected to support their child financially. However, there is a lot you can do as a parent to encourage the court to establish a support order that serves your best interests, especially with help from experienced legal counsel.

Contacting a Piscataway child support lawyer should be your top priority when you need help with any part of child support proceedings. Call our firm today to schedule a consultation with an aggressive legal advocate, Jennifer Marshall.