Child Support Misconceptions

BLOG

Child Support Misconceptions

Child support is one of the most hotly contested parts of a divorce or family law matters. This is an issue that many people talk about and think about, but in fact there are many misconceptions floating around out there. Understanding exactly how child support works will help you plan for the future.

  • Reductions will be drastic as my children age out. Child support is created using a complicated formula and the amount is set based on percentages related to the number of children being supported. If you have two children and the oldest one becomes self-supporting, your child support is not cut in half. It will likely be reduced, but not by as much as you might expect.
  • Child support covers all of the children’s expenses. Child support is in no way meant to cover all of the expenses associated with raising a child. Child support payments are one parent’s contributions to those expenses, but both parents are expected to financially contribute to supporting the child.
  • We can change child support ourselves. While you can make any agreement you like with your ex, an agreement you make about child support is enforceable only if it is in a court order. So if you agree to reduce child support by $100 a week and your ex goes to court to enforce the existing order, that order will be upheld, you will be in default, and the ordered amount will be owed with penalties.
  • Uninvolved parents don’t pay. If you decide to walk away and have no contact with your child, you will still owe child support. Additionally, even if you did not agree with your ex’s decision to have the child, you will still be required to pay child support.

Contact DeTorres & DeGeorge for clear information about child support laws in New Jersey. We serve the Hunterdon and Warren counties of New Jersey.

Children & Divorce Guide
About DeTorres and DeGeorge Family Law

DeTorres and DeGeorge Family Law is a New Jersey based family law firm that has been helping New Jersey residents achieve the best possible results in their divorce for nearly 30 years. The DeTorres and DeGeorge Family Law team is always ready to fight for their clients’ rights – determined to help New Jersey families overcome legal challenges from start to finish. Our legal team, with over 65 years of combined experience, provides expert guidance on all family law and divorce-related matters, including custody and parenting time, alimony and child support, equitable distribution of assets, premarital agreements, post-divorce issues, executive compensation distribution, divorces for business owners, and divorce mediation. The firm has been recognized for its dedication and expertise in the industry by multiple local and national organizations, including Super Lawyers, Law Firm 500, and the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. Rosanne DeTorres, Managing Partner, is one of 150 lawyers certified as a matrimonial law attorney.

Erin D. DeGeorge
Erin D. DeGeorge joined DeTorres & DeGeorge, LLC as partner to the firm in June of 2010. Prior to joining DeTorres & DeGeorge, Erin was associated with the national firm of Fox Rothschild LLP and Cutler, Simeone, Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, LLC...
Tagged with: , ,
Share on:

knowledge & insights

Two people shaking hands

Divorce Mediator vs Lawyer: Do You Need a Lawyer or Mediator for Divorce?

If you are contemplating a divorce from your partner, do you need a lawyer or mediator for your divorce? What is the difference between the role of a divorce mediator vs lawyer?  To understand the difference, it helps to compare the roles of two types of sporting officials – the coaches and the...

October 4, 2024 Read More

Desk with a computer, calculator and tax documents

Filing Taxes After Divorce or Separation: Divorce and Taxes Guide

Going through a divorce is a complex process that involves many decisions about property division, finances, and providing for dependent children, and it’s common to feel overwhelmed by their scope.  It’s essential that the tax implications for all of these decisions get the attention they...

September 19, 2024 Read More

Father and child walking down path holding hands

Child Support and Unemployment: How Does Child Support Work When One Parent is Unemployed

When marriage ends in divorce in New Jersey, the terms of the divorce depend on whether or not the couple have dependent children.  While the marriage ends when the divorce is final, both parents will continue to have obligations to their children, to support their basic needs, growth and...

September 12, 2024 Read More

Divorce: The Answers you Need – Before, During & After

Download our eBook today!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Newsletter

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

follow us
Top