Jersey City Attorneys Deal Effectively With Child Support Matters
Lawyers skilled at representing both paying and receiving spouses in New Jersey
The obligation to support the children does not end with divorce, even if you have no custody or visitation rights at all. In fact, the less custody you have, the more you are likely to have to pay child support. At Miller, Meyerson & Corbo in Jersey City, we understand that support orders must be fair and workable in order to be effective. Whether we represent the parent charged with support payments or the one receiving them, we use smart, proven techniques to achieve optimal arrangements.
Unlike many factors in a divorce case, child support is usually very predictable. State guidelines control the amount of support in most cases. The New Jersey child support guidelines are based on factors from which awards can be predictably calculated. These factors include:
- the income of the custodial and non-custodial parent
- whether or not child custody is shared
- each parent’s percentage of custody time
However, the guidelines may be modified or disregarded by the court where good cause is shown. Good cause may include a child with special or exceptional needs, for example. Our lawyers are skilled at identifying and evaluating all factors that could warrant an alteration in awards calculated from the guidelines, and we use that research to argue for our clients’ advantage.
Jersey City attorneys enforce payment from parents in arrears
Child support payers often fall behind, and New Jersey law provides numerous remedies for collection of arrears. These options include:
- garnishment of wages
- liens on property or vehicles
- suspension of driver’s or professional license
- blocking of passport renewal or applications
- issuance of a bench warrant
- community service
- interception of a tax refund
- reporting arrears to the credit bureaus
- extraction of funds from retirement accounts
Child support can be, and often is, collected through the County Probation Department when a party is chronically late with their payment. When the county is the debt collector, some of the enforcement mechanisms are automatic. Whichever spouse we represent in child support disputes, we take appropriate steps to protect and enforce their rights.
New Jersey child support modification is available for changes in circumstance
For many who fall behind on child support, the issue isn’t an unwillingness to pay. It is simply that circumstances have changed and they cannot afford the payments. This change must be substantial, so a minor pay cut likely won’t do. Examples include a significant drop in the income of either party, a severe illness, loss of assets (like the home) or other financial trouble. However, for those who have fallen behind on payments, it is important to seek a modification as soon as possible. The court cannot relieve you of past due support amounts; it can only reduce obligations moving forward.
Contact an experienced New Jersey firm when seeking an award or change of child support
Miller, Meyerson & Corbo been fighting for families since 1927. For all matters of child support: enforcement, modification or simply working out a deal with the other side, an experienced attorney is vital. We will fight to achieve the best possible result for you and your children. To schedule a consultation at our Jersey City office, call 201-333-9000 or contact us online.