Simple Child Support Calculator
To calculate child support in New Jersey, we recommend using the Child Support QuickCalc. There appears to be no simpler way to estimate support payments.
The Child Support QuickCalc steps you through a complex calculation. You may need to work through each part carefully to get an accurate assessment. Unfortunately, the New Jersey scheme is complex and a simple, reliable calculator does not appear to be available.
Overnights Calculator for New Jersey
According to New Jersey child support guidelines, payment amounts depend on how many overnight stays a child has with each parent annually.
Use this overnights calculator to work out how many nights of care you provide.
Calculate annual overnight stays
Regular nights
Vacation nights each year*
183 overnight stays per year.
50.0% of parenting time.
* Vacation nights are all nights when the regular schedule does not apply.
How Child Support is Calculated in New Jersey
Child support payments in New Jersey are calculated using the income shares only method. Payments depend on the combined income of the parents as well as the number of children eligible for support. A bigger combined income or extra children typically means higher payments.
The amounts transferred also depend on each parent’s income share or income percentage. New Jerseyites paying the most support are non-custodial parents with high incomes. The biggest receivers are low-income parents with primary physical custody and a high-earning payer.
We refer to the method as "income shares only" since New Jersey lacks a well-defined way of adjusting payments for the exact amount of parenting time each parent contributes. A parent’s share of care time is not a detailed part of the guidelines, as is usually the case with income sharing models.
How the calculation essentially works is that: (1) You look at the two parents as if they were together and establish their combined income; (2) Based on how much a typical New Jersey family with that income would spend on the number of children, you figure out the total support amount; (3) That amount is apportioned to each parent based on the parent’s percentage of combined income; (4) The support amount is adjusted based on factors like parenting time, healthcare, childcare and other support obligations.
If a child spends at least 28 percent and up to 50 percent of their nights with the non-custodial parent throughout the year, the court may calculate support based on the shared parenting worksheet. While 28 percent or 105 nights per year can trigger a shared parenting calculation, there is a level of discretion for the courts.
Bhatt Law Group
New Jerseyite child support guidelines apply to the whole state, including the cities of Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Toms River and Clifton. Variations in support payments may be made by the agreement of parents or at the discretion of a judge presiding over your case.
Payment Calculators by State