If I Am a High Earner, Can I Still Receive Child Support?
It’s a common misconception that only the lower-earning parent can receive child support. In reality, New Jersey’s child support system is based on the best interests of the child, not solely on the income of the parents. That means even if you’re a high earner, you may still be eligible to receive child support under the right circumstances.
Partnering with a skilled Somerset County family lawyer is essential. Your lawyer can help present a clear financial picture, make the case for necessary support, and negotiate a fair outcome. Legal guidance ensures your rights are protected and your child’s interests remain the central focus.
Factors That Affect Child Support Determinations
In New Jersey, child support calculations take a range of factors into account. One that initially comes to mind is both parents’ incomes, but while this is an important piece of the puzzle it is not the whole picture. How much time the child spends with each parent and the child’s needs are considered, too.
Parents who have primary residential custody, meaning the child lives with them most of the time, are likely shouldering the majority of the child’s day-to-day expenses. This can include housing, food, clothing, transportation, educational costs, and extracurricular activities.
A primary custodian who has a high-earning job will typically be handling the majority of the parenting responsibilities even while managing a demanding career. Sharing the weight of the financial and non-financial contributions to a child’s upbringing is part of securing a fair outcome. Recognizing this, a court will award child support accordingly.
Another critical factor in support determinations is preserving the child’s established standard of living. Courts aim to ensure that the child doesn’t experience a sharp decline in their quality of life simply because their parents have divorced. When there are a lot of expenses that were normal during the marriage, such as covering private school tuition or travel expenses connected to a sports team, you may seek support to continue those provisions. This is true regardless of your own personal income.
The Importance of Negotiation and Legal Support
In high-income households, assessing child support can be complex. The state’s child support guidelines only cover combined incomes up to a certain threshold. For parents above that threshold, the court has discretion to deviate from the guidelines and award additional support based on the child’s specific needs.
Every situation has its own details to address. Share where you are today and where you want to be in the future with a Somerset County family lawyer. Then, your attorney can help you pave a path to your desired goals.
Wondering if you’re eligible for child support, even as a high earner? Connect with the seasoned legal team at the Law Offices of Kisha M. Hebbon, LLC. Our team can help you develop a strategy that supports your child’s needs and protects your financial future. If you are ending a marriage in Somerset, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Piscataway, Edison, Somerset County or Middlesex County, contact us to schedule a confidential consultation.
