There are many situations that can lead to an early termination or extension of child support in New Jersey. Your Paterson child support lawyer may be able to adjust the end date of an existing agreement based on any of the following:
Substantial changes in circumstance – changes in circumstance can be financial or personal and often lead to the modification or termination of child support. Common substantial changed circumstances might include losing employment, becoming seriously ill, the beneficiary acquiring significant finances, losing or gaining real estate, and much more.
Child becomes emancipated – in the event that a dependent child is granted emancipation, child support obligations will immediately cease. Child emancipation may be file for by the child or either co-parent on the grounds of marriage, military service, financial and legal independence, and more.
Children over the age of 19 are still financially dependent – as will be discussed below, child support typically terminates when the dependent child reaches the age of 19. However, many children who are still in high school, pursuing a higher education full time, are disabled, etc.
Child support obligations are terminated by default when the dependent child turns 19 years of age. It is, however, common for Passaic County child support termination agreements to help clients determine a different date of termination based on their individual needs and circumstances. Co-parents may elect to choose their own child support end date, but under no circumstances will a child be eligible for child support once they have reached the age of 23.
There are times when child support may still be owed when a child support payor feels the child is no longer dependent. In these cases, it is possible for the co-parent to file a motion for child emancipation, to have the child support agreement terminated early, or both. New Jersey family courts will examine the details of the case in order to determine whether or not the child is still in need of financial assistance.
It is important to understand that whether your agreement was ended by default, as per the terms of your agreement, or based on additional factors, all back payments must still be paid. In other words, an agreement ending does not excuse a child support payor from paying previous payments. In some extreme circumstances, it may be possible to be reimbursed based on gross misconduct. Speak to a qualified Passaic County family law attorney for more information.
At The Montanari Law Group, our qualified and experienced divorce and family law legal team take pride in serving families from local Passaic County communities including Wayne, Paterson, Clifton, Little Falls, Woodland Park, West Milford, and all of Northern New Jersey. Our attorneys handle all aspects of divorce and family law, including child support, child custody, child support enforcement, division of marital assets, alimony, and much more. We believe in offering legal services that fit the needs and concerns of our clients and their families.
If you or a loved one have any questions or concerns when it comes to an existing or prospective child support agreement, please contact us online or through our Woodland Park, NJ office by calling (973) 233-4396 today for a free and confidential consultation.
After much time and consideration, you decide to divorce. You know it is time to separate and divide everything you… Read More
If Both New Jersey Parents Consent to Waive Child Support, Can it be Done? Although some may view child support… Read More
The Increasing Prevalence of Remote Work and Far-Reaching Effects on Divorced Parents and NJ Custody Arrangements Getting out the door… Read More
Our Team of NJ Attorneys Provides Legal Guidance on Private School Tuition Payment Responsibilities and Disputes People divorce for many… Read More
Information is Power when it Comes to Manipulated and Deceptively Created Evidence in New Jersey Family Law Matters You and… Read More
What You Can and Cannot do when it Comes to Custody of an Unborn Child in New Jersey You find… Read More