When a couple goes through a divorce, they are required to settle several legal matters. When they have children, there are extra arrangements they must make for their children. This includes not only child custody but also child support. This is payments that are made from one parent to another to continue the financial assistance of their child after they are separated. This compensation exists to help a child sustain the life and standard of living they had before the divorce.
When a judge determines child support, they follow the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines. This system is set up by the state to calculate the living expenses of the child with the income of the family. On top of this, the judge considers several other factors in relation to the family’s financial situation. This can include their work history, earning capacity, the child’s needs, the cost of providing for the child, and more. By following this process, the court can determine a fair amount of support payments dependent upon what the parents can afford for their child.
Age of Emancipation
Parents with physical custody of their child are known as the custodial parent. This parent is the individual the child spends the majority of their time and lives with. Because of this, the custodial parent is required to provide the child with clothes, food, an education, and a home. This can become expensive for one parent to handle on their own, which is why the non-custodial parent makes payments to them to help. This ensures both parents are financially assisting their child and providing them with stability. These payments are required to be paid until a child is deemed emancipation. In the state of New Jersey, the emancipation age is generally 19 years old.
While this is true, family situations are subject to change throughout life. This is why support payments do not always end at the age of 19. Sometimes, the court may extend payments past this age for various reasons. For example, if a child pursues higher education, the judge may extend payments until the child graduates and is able to financially support themselves. There are also circumstances in which support payments may end early. If a parent believes their child can provide for themselves, they can petition the court to have their child emancipated. If the court approves, child support payments may be terminated.
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