There is no set formula that the New Jersey family court may follow to calculate a child support order, as there are many contributing factors at play. Namely, there is the factor of how many children you and your former spouse have together. Follow along to find out how the number of children you have might affect your order and how a proficient Bergen County child support attorney at McNerney & McAuliffe can work to ensure these calculations are legitimate.
Does the number of children I have affect my child support payments?
Evidently, with more children comes more expenses. This is why the New Jersey family court may undoubtedly raise your child support order if you and your former spouse share more than one child. That said, the judge may use the below calculations as their general guide when finalizing your order:
- If you and your former spouse share one child: then you may have to contribute approximately 17 percent worth of your combined income.
- If you and your former spouse share two children: then you may have to contribute approximately 25 percent worth of your combined income.
- If you and your former spouse share three children: then you may have to contribute approximately 29 percent worth of your combined income.
- If you and your former spouse share four children: then you may have to contribute approximately 31 percent worth of your combined income.
- If you and your former spouse share five or more children: then you may have to contribute approximately 35 percent worth of your combined income.
Rest assured, the judge may divide this obligation proportionally between you and your former spouse. That is, they may look into your and your former spouse’s individual net incomes; individual medical expenses; custody statuses over your shared children; and more.
Do my child support payments include my stepchildren and adopted children?
The New Jersey family court may not consider your stepchildren as the total number of children to be factored into your child support order. This is because it may be assumed that these children are already receiving support payments from their other parent. However, if their other parent forfeits their parental rights and you formally adopt them, then they may become part of your financial responsibility.
For example, if you and your former spouse had two children and two stepchildren in your household during your marriage, then you may only be ordered to contribute approximately 25 percent worth of your combined income. But if you have undergone the formal adoption process for these two stepchildren, then you may be ordered to contribute approximately 31 percent worth of your combined income. In addition, you may not be responsible for the children your former spouse decides to have or adopt after the dissolution of your marriage.
Whenever you are ready, a talented Bergen County family law attorney is here to assist you. So please schedule your initial consultation with McNerney & McAuliffe today.
