Typically, child support is determined in conjunction with the end of the parents’ relationship. A mathematical formula under the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines is used to calculate the amount of the support obligation, taking into account such factors as each parent’s income, the basic cost related to raising the…
Parents’ financial obligations to their children don’t end simply because they separate. Child support is designed to ensure the essential expenses—food, clothing, housing, transportation—of raising children continue to be met. Additional expenses, like health insurance premiums, extraordinary medical care, and work-related childcare, may also be included, if needed. Determining each…
Children obviously experience emotional reactions to their parents’ divorce. Oftentimes, these reactions develop into harmful narratives that children internalize or project on others. These reactions can range from clinging to false hope of a reconciliation between their parents to blaming themselves for the breakup of the marriage. Despite worrying about…
Divorce is stressful for the entire family and parents will often go out of their way so as not to subject their children to any more stress. As a result, children in most cases are shielded from decisions about what life will look like for them once their parents part…
Divorce is fraught with difficult decisions. For parents, one of the most stressful decisions has to do with child custody. After all, while the relationship between spouses may be over, the relationships between parent and child are not. That’s why many divorcing parents strive to reach agreement on some type…
When parents of minor children divorce, one of the most critical decisions for the court to consider is the legal and/or physical custody of those children. Factors the courts examine to resolve the question of custody include the health, financial state, and lifestyle of the parents, the stability of the…
When a divorce involves young children, one of the most important issues to consider is child custody. In New Jersey, the terms of the custody agreement can be negotiated by the parents or decided by a family court judge. If the parents work out the terms on their own, their…
Divorce is a difficult, highly emotional transition. Everyone involved experiences a gamut of emotions – sadness, fear, grief, anger, and so on. It’s human nature to want to express those emotions and vent. As a parent, though, you are warned of the dangers of speaking ill of your ex-spouse in…
Whether you saw it coming or not, once your spouse tells you they want a divorce, you’ll start to grapple with trying to understand what your future will look like. Your initial reaction may be to try and save your marriage but, if that fails, you’ll be left with a…
While co-parenting after divorce has its benefits, it also presents obstacles – not only for the parents but for the children, too. Let’s face it, if you and your ex agreed on everything, chances are you wouldn’t be divorced. So, it wouldn’t be unusual for divorced parents to have different…