As a parent, you want to do everything in your power to ensure your child’s well-being. That said, if you are divorced and do not have primary custody of your child, this may be harder to do, at least directly. However, typically, when one parent does not have custody of a child, they will have to make regular child support payments so they can at least support their child financially. You may wonder, however, if you make regular child support payments, if the things you purchase for your child outside of that agreement, such as toys and clothes, count towards those payments. Please continue reading and reach out to a seasoned Bergen County child support attorney from McNerney & McAuliffe to learn more about how support works in New Jersey. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Do purchases for my child count towards child support in New Jersey?
The first thing you should understand is that child support is a predetermined calculation. This means that regardless of the things you purchase for your child outside of that agreement, you’ll still have to make regular payments, as always. In short, the things you purchase for your child will not change the amount of support you owe under any circumstance.
Are there any circumstances that may warrant a modification to a child support agreement in New Jersey?
There are. For example, if your child’s needs have changed or your child has reached the age of emancipation, it may warrant a modification to your support agreement. If your child either gets married, joins the military, or is self-supporting in one way or another, you may no longer have to make support agreements. Conversely, however, on the other hand, if your child has special needs, for example, the custodial parent may request, and be granted, an extension on support payments long past the age of emancipation.
The bottom line is that if you’re looking to modify your support agreement in any way, it’s paramount you hire a knowledgeable attorney who can assess the circumstances of your situation and determine whether a modification may be possible. Our legal team has helped countless parents over the years, and we are prepared to help you as well. For additional questions or concerns about how support works in New Jersey, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced and skilled Bergen County family law attorney today.
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If you require the legal assistance of an attorney to help you through a criminal law matter, personal injury matter, family law matter, or otherwise, contact McNerney & McAuliffe today.