How New Jersey Calculates Child Support

New Jersey uses the Income Shares Model to determine child support obligations. The guidelines are established under NJ Court Rules, Appendix IX-F.

Key Facts About New Jersey Child Support

• New Jersey uses the Income Shares model, combining both parents' net incomes to determine the basic child support obligation from the Appendix IX-F schedule.
• A PAR (Parent of Alternate Residence) time adjustment applies when the non-custodial parent has 28% or more overnights per year (approximately 104 nights), reducing the obligation to account for direct spending during parenting time.
• The guidelines cover combined net income up to $187,200/year ($15,600/month). For income above that amount, the court has discretion to set support.
• New Jersey includes a self-support reserve to ensure the obligor retains enough income to meet basic needs, which may reduce the obligation for low-income payers.
• Health insurance, unreimbursed medical expenses over $250/year per child, and work-related childcare costs are added to the basic obligation and divided proportionally.

Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates only and is not a substitute for legal advice. The actual amount ordered by a New Jersey court may differ based on factors including but not limited to: special needs of the child, travel expenses for visitation, extraordinary educational expenses, and the court's discretion to deviate from the guidelines.