Navigating the process of establishing a child support order in New Jersey can be daunting, especially when parents are concerned about covering future expenses such as college tuition, medical bills, or costs related to school activities. Gaining a clear understanding of how support is calculated, which expenses can be included, and how New Jersey courts determine a fair order is essential to helping parents make informed decisions and secure their child’s long-term financial security. For more information and to secure the help of an experienced legal professional, read on and speak with a Union County child support attorney today.
What Does Child Support Cover?
Child support is a financial obligation a non-custodial parent pays to the custodial parent to continue contributing to the child’s needs and expenses. This support typically covers a child’s basic needs, including food, clothing, housing, transportation, entertainment, etc. However, each case will vary depending on the specific circumstances and needs of the child.
Can I Include Future Expenses in a Child Support Order in NJ?
Yes, it is possible to include future expenses in a child support order in New Jersey. Courts can approve predictable future expenses, which may include ongoing therapy, annual school supplies and education costs, or recurring medical treatments. In order for these items to be included, there must be evidence that the future expense is reasonably foreseeable.
Examples of common future expenses include braces, summer camps, educational programs, and anticipated medical treatments. To establish these needs, the court may require a variety of evidence, like statements from doctors or estimates made by economists.
Can Future Expenses Be Added Later?
It is impossible to predict the future with 100% accuracy, so it is possible that you did not include certain future expenses when creating your child support order, but now need financial assistance. Parents can request a modification of a child support order if a significant change in circumstances arises.
This can include new medical needs, extracurricular activities, increased education costs, etc. If the court determines that the change is substantial enough, it can increase the child support obligation to account for these new expenses. A substantial change is a significant and lasting change in a parent’s or child’s situation. Major shifts that may result in an increase in child support include:
- Involuntary job loss or reduced working hours
- The development of an illness or disability that prevents working
- A child’s new medical or psychological treatment needs
- The diagnosis of a disability in the child
- Increased educational or tutoring costs
- The development of an illness or injury in a child
- Change in childcare needs
Depending on the specific circumstances of your situation, a court may allow a modification to include expenses that were not anticipated when the child support order was created. Reach out to a skilled attorney for more information today.
