Does Child Support End at 18 In New Jersey?

When you have a child, it is your responsibility to ensure you care and provide for them to help give them a chance to succeed. This financial responsibility does not end when you and your spouse decide to divorce. As such, if you are ending your marriage and have minor children, connecting with New Jersey child support attorneys and familiarizing yourself with the rules regarding child support is critical. One thing you should know is at what age child support will end. The following blog explores this and common questions divorcing parents have regarding support payments.

When Does Child Support End in NJ?

It is a common misconception that child support obligations will end upon the child’s 18th birthday. While this may be true in some states, it is not the case in New Jersey, where child support lasts until the child’s 19th birthday.

You should also know that there are certain circumstances in which child support will extend even past a child’s 19th birthday, such as if they are seeking higher education or have disabilities that impact their ability to secure employment. Typically, this extension will only last until the child’s 23rd birthday. However, if the child suffers from severe mental or physical disabilities, the custodial parent can petition to have this further extended.

Just as there are reasons that child support may extend past 19, a paying parent can file a motion to have their support ended early if the child gets married, joins the armed forces, becomes legally emancipated, or does not seek higher education after graduating high school.

What Should I Do if My Spouse Is Behind on Payments?

If you find that your ex-spouse is behind on child support payments, it’s important to understand your legal options during these times. Generally, the most important thing you can do is try to have a conversation with your ex. However, you should only have this conversation in writing, as it can serve as evidence and documentation of these matters.

If there is no change despite having a conversation with your ex, it’s in your best interest to connect with an attorney who can help you petition the courts for the payment you are owed. They may try to first contact your ex, but if they cannot secure the payment you are owed, they may garnish the wages of your spouse. This means the court would take a portion of their income each month and allocate it to you as child support.