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How New Jersey Calculates Child Support

New Jersey uses the Income Shares model to determine child support obligations. This page explains the guidelines, formula, and key factors.

Model Type

Income Shares

Income-shares model based on combined net weekly income and number of children per NJ Court Rule 5:6A and Appendix IX; each parent's obligation prorated by share of net income; adjusted for parenting time (PAR) and add-ons (childcare, health insurance, unreimbursed medical).

Income Basis & Definitions

Income Basis:

net

Number Of Children On Order

Selects the base-support amount from the Appendix IX schedule.

Source: Appendix IX-F: Schedule of basic child support
Parent A Income

Parent A net weekly income (gross minus taxes, mandatory deductions).

Source: Appendix IX-A: Net income definition
Parent B Income

Parent B net weekly income.

Source: Appendix IX-A: Net income definition

Parenting Time Handling

Custody Type Or Worksheet Selection

Calculator applies sole parenting or shared parenting (PAR) worksheet.

Source: Appendix IX-B/IX-C: Sole/shared parenting worksheets
Parenting Time Input

Number of overnights per year with each parent.

Source: PAR overnights input

Deductions & Adjustments

Other Child Support Or Dependents Adjustment

Preexisting support obligations for other children.

Source: Other dependents adjustment
Spousal Support Adjustment

Alimony paid or received adjusts net income.

Source: Alimony adjustment

Add-Ons & Allocation

Work Related Childcare Costs

Net childcare costs allocated between parents.

Source: Childcare costs
Child Health Insurance And Uninsured Medical

Health insurance premium and predictable/unpredictable unreimbursed medical costs.

Source: Health insurance and medical expenses

Caps, Minimums & Deviations

Income Cap And Above Cap Handling

Schedule caps at combined net income of $187,200/year (as of 2023); above-cap at discretion.

Source: Maximum schedule income
Deviation Factors And Findings

Deviation allowed per N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23; requires written findings.

Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23: Deviation factors

Try the Calculator

Use our New Jersey child support calculator to estimate your obligation.

Official Sources

New Jersey Court Rule 5:6A / Appendix IX (Child Support Guidelines)N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23 (Child Support)