{"id":374977,"date":"2018-05-10T16:54:21","date_gmt":"2018-05-10T21:54:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-child-support-calculations.html"},"modified":"2025-02-21T11:01:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T16:01:26","slug":"new-jersey-child-support-calculations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-child-support-calculations.html","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Child Support Calculations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Jersey Child Support Calculations<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The income shares theory used to calculate child support<\/a> says the combined parental income should support the children. The starting point is the income of both parents. It doesn’t matter if they’re together. The breakup of parents shouldn’t deprive children.<\/p>\r\n

Figuring out how much the non-custodial parent should pay is tricky. Child support<\/a> is often an emotional topic. Parents should try to stay focused on fulfilling the needs of their children.<\/p>\r\n

This article will show how New Jersey<\/a> determines child support payments. This article discusses calculating child support payments in New Jersey.<\/p>\r\n

Sole Parenting vs. Shared Parenting<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The first step in calculating child support payments<\/a> is determining the custodial parent and which type of parenting is in effect. New Jersey differentiates between two categories: sole and shared parenting.<\/p>\r\n

Sole Parenting<\/h3>\r\n

Sole parenting is when a custodial parent<\/a> (CP) has custody of the children and is their primary caretaker. In most instances of sole parenting<\/a>, the non-custodial parent (NCP) makes child support payments.<\/p>\r\n

Sole parenting is when both parents have physical custody of at least one child. The NCP can have parenting time that includes temporary physical custody for less than two nights a week on average or 104 nights a year (28%) and still be the paying parent.<\/p>\r\n

Shared Parenting<\/h3>\r\n

If a child spends 28% or more overnight time (104 nights a year) with the NCP, the courts will use shared parenting<\/a> guidelines to calculate the amount of child support.<\/p>\r\n

Shared parenting<\/a> accounts for the amount of physical time spent with each parent when determining child support amounts.<\/p>\r\n

Calculating Child Support in New Jersey<\/h2>\r\n

Every child support situation in New Jersey is unique. The courts handle every Title IV-D<\/a> ruling on a case-by-case basis. To illustrate the level of complexity, the New Jersey Court Rule<\/a> for child support guidelines is 46 pages long. That doesn’t include the charts, which are over 55 pages.<\/p>\r\n

Whether custody is sole or shared, the amount of child support is set by the parents’ joint income. New Jersey offers a child support calculator<\/a> to estimate what the NCP might owe. This is not a legal or official amount. It’s just a rough idea.<\/p>\r\n

The needs of the child are most important in any child custody ruling<\/a>. The court operates on having the best interests of the child<\/a> in mind. This includes necessities like housing, clothing, food, and health care.<\/p>\r\n

Because income is the main factor, it’s pivotal that parents understand how their income gets calculated. The formula used includes:<\/p>\r\n