State family law authorities across the United States unquestionably recognize the autonomy of families and the discretionary powers of parents when it comes to raising their children.
They are also willing to intervene legally in select family affairs, though, when issues surrounding the best interests of those children reasonably emerge.
Like alleged instances of domestic abuse, for instance. And, especially, when concerns are expressed regarding child support matters.
Basic New York, New Jersey child support considerations
Here’s the bottom line concerning child support in both New York and New Jersey: Parents owe it and are legally obliged to provide it.
A proven family law firm with a deeply established practice in both states underscores that. It notes on its website that “both parents of a child or children must financially support their children.” Moreover, “the custodial parent is entitled to receive child support from the non-custodial parent.”
Child support calculations: New York
Detailed and quite comprehensive statutory law sets forth the parameters and mandates tied to New York child support. A key threshold point stressed by the state’s Child Support Standards Act is that a presumptive amount of support will issue based on several interrelated factors. The CSSA centrally considers each parent’s income, the number of children affected and a fair outcome based on a pro-rata calculation.
And here’s an additionally important point: Minimum support duties still exist even for an unemployed or underemployed noncustodial parent. And that parent must also contribute to any medical and/or childcare received that has costs not offset by insurance.
Child support calculations: New Jersey
The relevant go-to support law in New Jersey (applicable, like New York’s law, to both married and unmarried couples) is the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines. That enactment is also based upon a number of income-based financial projections and broad-based factors ranging from parents’ educational backgrounds and job skills to parental health, debt and other concerns.
Child support orders are not automatically deemed permanent. They can be modified, but only upon a showing of necessity compelling enough to influence a court.
Questions or concerns regarding child support payments or receipt can be reasonably directed to a proven family law legal team.
