Child support is an essential component of divorce agreements in New Jersey. It is a court-ordered payment made by one parent to the other to support the child’s needs after the separation or divorce of their parents. However, a lot can happen after a child support order has been put in place. The child’s needs may change, or the paying parent’s financial situation may change. These changes may make it necessary to modify the existing child support order. At Spodek Law Group, we understand that child support modification can be a complex process, and that’s why we have experienced attorneys who can help you.

When to Seek Child Support Modification Child support modification may be necessary in different situations, such as when:

1. The financial situation of one of the parents has changed: The child support amount may be adjusted if one parent’s income has increased or decreased significantly since the order was made.
2. The needs of the child have changed: Child support is intended to cover the basic needs of the child, such as food, shelter, clothing, health care, and education. If these needs have changed, the amount of child support may need to be modified.
3. There has been a change in custody: If the child’s living arrangements change, the child support amount may need to be adjusted.
4. A parent becomes disabled: If a parent paying child support becomes disabled, they may not be able to make the same payments they used to make.

Child support modifications can be made through mutual agreement between the parties or by court order. An experienced attorney can help you through the process and ensure that your child’s needs are met.

The Child Support Modification Process

Child support modification can be a complex and overwhelming process, especially when you’re not familiar with the legal system. At Spodek Law Group, our experienced attorneys can guide you through the process and provide exceptional legal representation. Here’s what you need to know about the child support modification process in New Jersey.

Filing for Modification The parent requesting the modification must file papers with the Superior Court. During this part of the process, it is essential to have professional representation. An experienced family law attorney can help you throughout the entire modification process to ensure that your child’s needs are met. The filing parent must provide evidence of the changed circumstances that justify the modification.

The Judge’s Decision After the papers are filed, a hearing date will be set, and both parties will appear in court. A judge will decide the motion for child support modification by determining whether there is significant justification for an increase or decrease in child support. If there has been a significant financial change, the judge must also decide if those changes are expected to continue. However, there is one notable exception. You may be able to achieve incremental child support increases based solely on a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This type of modification can be granted without the need for a hearing.

Exceptional Legal Representation At Spodek Law Group, our experienced attorneys can help you petition the court for a modification of your New Jersey child support order. Our attorneys are committed to providing exceptional legal representation for all of your child support circumstances, including an increase in the child support amount, a decrease to your current payment obligation, and termination of child support obligations due to a child’s emancipation. We will work with you to ensure that your child’s needs are met and that your legal rights are protected.

Sources:

• New Jersey Child Support Guidelines: https://www.njchildsupport.org/Resources-Forms.aspx
• Child Support Modification Process in New Jersey: https://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/family/childsupp.html