Last verified: February 2026
Everything you need to know about New Jersey child support laws, including the updated September 2025 guidelines, calculation worksheets, and enforcement procedures.
Table of Contents
How to Apply for Child Support in New Jersey
The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) administers child support services throughout the state.
To apply:
- Complete the online application
- Visit your county social services, welfare, or probation office
- Call: 1-877-NJKIDS1 (1-877-655-4371)
Application fee: $6
Annual monitoring fee: $25 (for payment tracking services)
Services provided include:
- Parent location services
- Paternity establishment
- Support order establishment and monitoring
- Enforcement of support orders
The support establishment process typically takes up to 90 days if all factors remain constant.
Your Rights as a Parent
Under New Jersey law, you have the right to:
- Be treated professionally with respect
- Pay or receive timely payments
- Appeal decisions or request order reviews
- Be notified of actions affecting your case
- Request a child support review every three years
Establishing Paternity in New Jersey
New Jersey recognizes three ways to establish paternity:
- Presumption of marriage: A child born during a marriage is presumed to be the husband’s child
- Certificate of parentage: Voluntary acknowledgment signed by both parents
- Court order: Judicial determination or complaint filed with DHS (may include genetic testing)
For paternity questions, payment history, court dates, or related inquiries, call 1-877-NJKIDS1.
How Is Child Support Calculated in New Jersey?
New Jersey uses an income shares model that considers both parents’ incomes and allocates support proportionally. The guidelines are designed to approximate what parents would have spent on the child if the family remained intact.
Determining Income
The court considers all sources of income, including:
- Wages, salaries, and bonuses
- Self-employment income
- Investment income and dividends
- Pension and retirement income
- Social Security and disability benefits
- Workers’ compensation
- Unemployment benefits
- Alimony received
If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income based on earning capacity.
September 2025 Updates
Effective September 1, 2025, New Jersey updated several child support provisions based on Dr. David A. Macpherson’s 2024 economic analysis:
Updated Appendix IX-F Schedule
The Schedule of Child Support Awards was revised, generally resulting in higher support amounts. For example, in a two-child case where the custodial parent earns $1,045/week net and the non-custodial parent earns $2,007/week, support increased from $219 to $276 per week.
Updated Case Information Statement (CIS)
The Case Information Statement was also updated with:
- New Schedule D for seasonal and occasional expenses (snow removal, lawn care, vehicle registration)
- New asset categories: cryptocurrencies, children’s accounts, income tax carryover losses
- New liability categories: tax liabilities
- Dedicated line for streaming services and subscriptions
Child Support Worksheets
New Jersey uses three primary worksheets depending on the custody arrangement:
- Appendix IX-C (Sole Parenting Worksheet) – When one parent has primary custody
- Appendix IX-D (Shared Parenting Worksheet) – When parents share custody
- Appendix IX-E (Child Care Cost Form) – For calculating net child care costs
The Appendix IX-F Schedule provides the basic child support award based on combined parental income and number of children.
Use the Court-Provided Child Support Calculator for estimates.
How the Calculation Works
- Complete the appropriate worksheet based on your parenting arrangement
- Determine each parent’s weekly net income
- Compare the combined income to the Appendix IX-F schedule
- Divide the basic obligation proportionally based on each parent’s share of combined income
- Add child care and health insurance costs as appropriate
Grounds for Deviation
Courts may deviate from the guidelines when the result would be unjust. Factors include:
- Unreimbursed medical or dental expenses
- Special needs of disabled children
- Prior support orders
- The children’s ages
- Private or parochial school expenses
How to Modify Child Support in New Jersey
To modify child support, you must file a written motion demonstrating that “important facts or circumstances have changed” since the order was issued.
Court Rule 5:5-4 lists motion types including:
- Motion to terminate or continue support
- Motion to increase or decrease payments
- Motion to enforce an existing order
Required Forms
Factors for Modification
- Medical, educational, and financial needs of the child
- Parental income from all sources
- The child’s need for higher education
- Each parent’s earning capability
- Any other relevant factors under New Jersey guidelines
The Father Center of New Jersey offers programs to help fathers build skills for securing employment.
Child Support Enforcement in New Jersey
New Jersey uses a computerized system to record and monitor child support payments. Enforcement tools include:
- Income withholding: Direct garnishment from wages and income
- License suspension: Driver’s, recreational, and professional licenses
- Bench warrants: For willful non-payment
- Tax refund interception: State, local, and federal
- Passport denial: For arrears exceeding $2,500
- Credit bureau reporting
Contempt of Court
A receiving parent can petition the court to hold the paying parent in contempt. In your motion, include all obligations the other parent is refusing to honor.
Key points about contempt in New Jersey:
- The court can order the accused to pay the accuser’s attorney fees
- Contempt orders can address denial of parenting time
- Penalties range from $50 minimum to jail time
- The burden is on the accused to prove inability to pay (guilty until proven innocent)
- Failure to provide parenting time may be raised as a defense
- Errors in the support order may serve as a defense
When Does Child Support End in New Jersey?
As of February 1, 2017, the “age of majority” in New Jersey is 19 years old. Child support typically ends when the child:
- Turns 19 and is financially independent
- Graduates from high school (if the order requires continued support through graduation)
Custodial parents may request continued support if the child is:
- Still in high school at age 19
- Mentally or physically disabled
To end support at the child’s 19th birthday, file a request with DHS or the court.
Emancipation
Children from troubled families may petition for emancipation. Requirements include:
- At least 16 years old
- Financially independent
- Capable of handling their own affairs, including housing
Emancipation grants the right to obtain employment, sign leases, and move out without parental consent. It does not grant privileges like drinking or gambling.
Joining the U.S. military is another path to emancipation.
Termination of Parental Rights
Voluntarily terminating parental rights is typically only an option when placing a child for adoption. This action:
- Ends future financial obligations
- Does not eliminate existing child support arrears
- Must be approved by the court
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the application fee for child support services?
The application fee is $6. There is also a $25 annual monitoring fee for payment tracking.
How long does it take to establish a support order?
Typically up to 90 days if all factors remain constant.
Can I get support if we were never married?
Yes. You will need to establish paternity first through voluntary acknowledgment, certificate of parentage, or court order.
How often can I request a review of my support order?
You have the right to request a review every three years.
Does remarriage affect child support?
A new spouse’s income is not directly added to child support calculations. However, if the new spouse covers household expenses, this may affect determinations about available income.
What if my ex won’t let me see my child?
Denial of parenting time and child support are separate legal issues. You may file a contempt motion for denied parenting time, but you must continue paying support. The denial may be raised as a defense in contempt proceedings about support.
At what age does child support end?
Generally at age 19 if the child is financially independent and your order does not require continued support (such as through college).
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