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Matt Rooney
is a New Jersey attorney, former Superior Court law clerk, and noted commentator who focuses his practice on family law, municipal court defense, and personal injury matters. He was recognized by SJ Magazine as a 2018 “Top Divorce & Family Attorney."
Latest posts by Matt Rooney (see all)
- N.J. COURT: Live-In Nannies Are Covered By The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act - July 31, 2019
- When will the judge hear my N.J. family court motion? - October 16, 2018
- N.J. may soon allow “hardship licenses.” Here’s what that means. | Rooney - October 10, 2018
Many prospective and current clients walk into my office to seek establishment, modification or outright termination of their child support obligations and are a little surprised when I ask to see certain documentation:
And by gross income, we mean ALL of it. Not just wages (W-2), commissions, bonuses and self-employment (your 1099-MISC) income but also dividend and interest income, rent from rental properties, worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance benefits or even pensions and retirement income. A notable exception arises in the case of recipients of SSI or TANF benefits, but even then, the Court could still hold the payor capable of earning additional income. The Court could also decide to impute income to a payor or payee, a complex analysis you can start learning about here.
In any event, once each party’s gross income is established, the Court may deduct income taxes, mandatory union dues, mandatory retirement contributions, and support paid to children or spouses of other relationship by court order. Credit is also given for children’s health insurance premium payments and work-related daycare expenses. You may even be eligible for a deduction based on children from other relationships residing in your home.
Of course, all of these variables are JUST the tip of the child support iceberg.
We’re here to help you navigate the ins and outs of child support in New Jersey.
Help is only a quick phone call or e-mail away. We’re here to walk you through the process and achieve a best-case outcome given the facts of your case. If you have any questions regarding the determination of income for child support, or family court matters generally in New Jersey, please contact us online today or call (856) 546-1350 for a confidential consultation with one of our skilled family court lawyers.
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So, why are we pegging my income at $800 per week when I only take home $350?”The answer lies in the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines, the rules and regulations promulgated by the New Jersey Supreme Court that govern the calculation of child support calculations in our state except in very narrow circumstances. They make for admittedly dense reading:
- Rule 5:6A
- Appendix IX A
- Appendix IX B
- Appendix IX C
- Appendix IX D
- Appendix IX E
- Appendix IX F
- Appendix IX G (DELETED)
- Appendix IX H
And by gross income, we mean ALL of it. Not just wages (W-2), commissions, bonuses and self-employment (your 1099-MISC) income but also dividend and interest income, rent from rental properties, worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance benefits or even pensions and retirement income. A notable exception arises in the case of recipients of SSI or TANF benefits, but even then, the Court could still hold the payor capable of earning additional income. The Court could also decide to impute income to a payor or payee, a complex analysis you can start learning about here.
In any event, once each party’s gross income is established, the Court may deduct income taxes, mandatory union dues, mandatory retirement contributions, and support paid to children or spouses of other relationship by court order. Credit is also given for children’s health insurance premium payments and work-related daycare expenses. You may even be eligible for a deduction based on children from other relationships residing in your home.
Of course, all of these variables are JUST the tip of the child support iceberg.
We’re here to help you navigate the ins and outs of child support in New Jersey.
Help is only a quick phone call or e-mail away. We’re here to walk you through the process and achieve a best-case outcome given the facts of your case. If you have any questions regarding the determination of income for child support, or family court matters generally in New Jersey, please contact us online today or call (856) 546-1350 for a confidential consultation with one of our skilled family court lawyers.
______The following two tabs change content below.
Matt Rooney
is a New Jersey attorney, former Superior Court law clerk, and noted commentator who focuses his practice on family law, municipal court defense, and personal injury matters. He was recognized by SJ Magazine as a 2018 “Top Divorce & Family Attorney."
Latest posts by Matt Rooney (see all)
- N.J. COURT: Live-In Nannies Are Covered By The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act - July 31, 2019
- When will the judge hear my N.J. family court motion? - October 16, 2018
- N.J. may soon allow “hardship licenses.” Here’s what that means. | Rooney - October 10, 2018
