ESTABLISHING THE ORDER FOR CHILD SUPPORT

The first step in establishing a child support order is to determine the amount of child and medical support to be paid.

This is determined by the New Jersey Support Guidelines.  These state Supreme Court-approved guidelines are applied in all child support cases.  The guidelines have one purpose: to determine how much money each parent should contribute for the care of the child.

The guidelines are based on an income-share formula, in which the incomes of both parents are considered.  The guidelines also take expenses into account, such as child care, medical insurance, and any factor the court deems best for the child.  Of course, it is much easier if both parents agree to the amount that is based on the guidelines.  This is called a Consent Support Agreement and it will be signed by a judge.

If either parent does not agree on the amount of support payments, you will have to go to the Family Part of New Jersey Superior Court (often called Family Court) at your county courthouse.  The court will review the facts of the case and issue an order.  This order includes the amount to be paid, the way it will be paid and any medical support to be paid.