How is child support calculated in New Jersey?

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New Jersey   child support   is governed by   Court Rule 5:6A   and the comprehensive   New Jersey Child Support Guidelines   in   Appendix IX-A   through   IX-H   of the Rules of Court.    1. Two Worksheets   -   Sole Parenting (Worksheet A)   — Used when the Parent of Alternate Residence (PAR) has fewer than   28% of overnights   (less than 104 per year). -   Shared Parenting (Worksheet B)   — Used when the PAR has   28% or more   of overnights (104+ per year). Adjusts for shared variable expenses by multiplying by 1.5 in concept.    2. The Calculation   1. Determine each parent's   weekly net income   (gross less taxes, mandatory retirement, mandatory union dues, prior-order child support, etc.). 2.   Combine   net incomes. 3. Read the   Basic Child Support Obligation   from Appendix IX-F schedule. 4. Add   work-related childcare  ,   health insurance premium for the child  , and   predictable, recurring extraordinary expenses  . 5. Pro rate by income. 6. Apply   adjustments   — government benefits paid for the child, parenting-time adjustment (Worksheet B).    3. Income Cap   The Schedule covers combined net incomes up to   $187,200/year  . Above the cap, the court calculates support   based on the schedule amount at the cap   plus a   supplemental amount   under N.J.S.A. § 2A:34-23(a).    4. Self-Support Reserve   The obligor's net income after support cannot fall below 105% of the federal poverty level for one person.    5. Duration — Mandatory Termination at 19 (N.J.S.A. § 2A:17-56.67)   Effective Feb. 1, 2017, child support automatically terminates when the child reaches   age 19   unless: - The custodial parent files a motion to extend before 19 because the child is   still in high school  ,   enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program  , or has a   physical or mental disability  . - Maximum extension is to age   23   (except for adult disabled children).    6. Modification (Lepis v. Lepis, 83 N.J. 139 (1980))   Modification requires a   substantial, permanent change in circumstances  . Loss of employment, significant income change, or change in custody all qualify. Title IV-D orders are subject to   3-year administrative review  .    7. Deviation (R. 5:6A)   The guideline amount is presumed correct but may be deviated from with written findings — such as where strict application would be inequitable.  This is legal information, not legal advice.