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Rick DeMichele
Richard A. DeMichele, Jr. is a seasoned litigator, devoting a substantial part of his practice to family law and personal injury matters.

Which of my child’s expenses should be covered by child support?

Paying NJ Child SupportThis is a relatively simple question with a fairly complicated answer. The one thing that is certain is that children are expensive to raise.  In New Jersey child support is governed by the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines.   The guidelines are established pursuant to Court Rule 5:6A and provide a rebuttable presumption for a child support obligation. The presumption of child support obligation can only be modified or disregarded where good cause is shown. Pursuant to the court rule the guidelines are governed by considerations outlined in Appendix IX.   The guidelines are intended to represent the average amount and intact nuclear family spends on their children. According to the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines Appendix IX– A  the child’s expenses that are included as part of the child support guideline award are:
  1. Housing
  2. Food
  3. Clothing
  4. Transportation
  5. Unreimbursed Health Care up to $250 Per Child Per Year
  6. Entertainment
  7. Miscellaneous items
A detailed explanation as to each category of the included expenses can be found in the text of paragraph 8 of Appendix IX– A. In addition to the “basic” child support guideline amount certain expenses are added to the child support obligation.  The additional expenses are:
  1. Work Related Child Care Expenses
  2. Health Insurance for the Child
  3. Reoccurring Unreimbursed Health Care Expenses in Excess of $250 Per Child Per Year
  4. Other Expenses Approved by the Court
A detailed explanation as to each category of the included expenses can be found in the text of paragraph 9 of Appendix IX– A. The New Jersey Child Support Guidelines can be a complicated and fact intensive area of the law. The child support appendix and guideline need to be ready conjunction with the existing case law. The court rules in appendix guidelines are established give the courts guidance in making their ultimate decision.  If you or someone you know needs help in determining the proper child support obligation contact the child support attorneys at DeMichele & DeMichele.  Your confidential initial consultation is only a phone call away. (856) 546-1350.
The following two tabs change content below.
Rick DeMichele
Richard A. DeMichele, Jr. is a seasoned litigator, devoting a substantial part of his practice to family law and personal injury matters.