Does the Number Of Children I Have Affect Child Support Payments?
After a divorce, one parent can end up being the custodial parent. This means that the kids live with them most of the time. The other parent then has to make child support payments. How much these payments can be depends on a number of factors, including the number of children that you have. It can also help if you have experienced Morris County, NJ child support attorneys on your side, assisting you with negotiations.
What Factors Affect the Calculation of Child Support Payments?
The child support payments you must make to your former spouse are not calculated randomly. A lot of thought goes into determining how much someone will pay to continue supporting their child. Factors considered include:
- The income of each co-parent
- The age of the children
- Any special needs of the children
Yes, the number of children will also make an impact. This is because the goal of child support is to keep up the lifestyle that your children became accustomed to while you and your spouse were together. Things are obviously different now, but a child should not have to suffer a marked decrease in standard of living just because of a divorce. So the more children you have, the more expensive your child support payments are probably going to be.
How Long Will I Have to Make Child Support Payments For?
You have to make child support payments at least until your child reaches the age of majority. That’s 19 years old in New Jersey. Support can continue past this point though. If your children continue to pursue education in vocational schools or colleges, then support can extend until they reach the age of 23 years old. There are some situations in which child support payments can stop being made earlier, but they are not so common.
When Can I Modify This Agreement?
It is possible to modify your child support agreement though. Situations change, and sometimes divorce agreements like alimony and child support must be adjusted as a result.
You may be able to modify an agreement if you have another child with someone else. You can show the court that you have an additional person to support on the same income and that the current child support arrangement does not work. Do not expect to get out of making payments completely, but you could end up winning a modification that makes it easier for you to manage your funds and provide for all of your children.
Talk to a Family Lawyer
If you want help negotiating child support payments and other agreements during a divorce, contact Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, L.L.C. Our team can help ensure that you get fair treatment in court and that any divorce agreements will not leave you destitute.