printer-friendly version-Divorce Issues

Child Support

Each parent has a duty of support toward his or her children. Children of divorced parents have the right to be supported in accordance with the standard of living they had during their parent's marriage. Typically, the non-residential parent pays child support to the residential parent. This is based on the theory that the residential parent is already paying his or her share by virtue of supporting the child or children living in the household.

In order to assure proper support for children, New Jersey has adopted Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines are based on the combined net income of the parents and take into consideration the parenting time arrangement, the age of the children, and other child-related obligations. When making child support calculations, alimony is included in the net income of the parent receiving it and deducted from the net income of the parent paying it. Under this scheme, each parent is required to contribute in proportion to his or her own income.

Paying for your child's medical expenses

In many instances, without cost, one parent is able to obtain medical insurance through his or her employer. Where medical insurance is not paid by an employer, the parents share the costs in proportion to their incomes. Parents also share uncovered medical expenses in the same proportion.

Additional Information: Alternative Family Arrangements

Karen Meislik, a Matrimonial Law attorney located
in Montclair, New Jersey, serves clients in Essex, Morris, Union,
and Bergen counties, and throughout the state.