What is the Age of Emancipation in New Jersey?

Child support payments can be a heavy financial burden. As a result, you may be wondering whether you can stop making these payments. It is important to understand that child support cannot end until the child reaches the age of emancipation. However, support can be extended beyond this age, or terminated early. As a result, you cannot stop making payments until it is declared by a New Jersey court. Read on to learn more about child support and the age of emancipation in New Jersey.

How do New Jersey courts determine child support agreements?

When a court determines child support agreements in New Jersey, they will consider the best interest of the child. To help determine this, they will consider the following factors:

• Your child’s age
• You and your spouse’s age and health
• You and your spouse’s yearly salary
• The number of children you have living in your household
• Whether your child plans on receiving higher education
• Whether your child has a regular income
• Whether your child has special needs
• Any other factor that the court deems relevant

When can I stop paying child support in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, the age of emancipation is 19 years old. However, there are some common circumstances that may cause child support to extend beyond this age. For example, if your child decides to pursue higher education, the child may be entitled to support payments until they reach the age of 23. Parents may also request an extension on child support payments if their child has special needs, depending on the needs.

Can child support end early?

While child support can be extended, it can also be terminated. You can terminate child support early if you can prove to a court that your child is financially stable. Some reasons to terminate child support include:

• Your child joined or is joining the military
• Your child is married
• Your child is no longer living with either parent
• Your child is financially independent and has a full-time job
• Your child is pregnant or has children of his or her own

It is imperative that you understand that you cannot stop paying child support unless declared by a court. Failing to pay court-ordered child support can lead to serious legal and financial repercussions.

If you have questions or concerns about child support in New Jersey, our firm is here to help. Reach out today to speak with an experienced family law attorney.

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If you require strong legal representation for matters related to divorce or family law, contact Haber Silver Russoniello & Dunn today to schedule a consultation.