New Jersey Child Support Calculator
Calculate estimated child support using New Jersey's official guidelines
About New Jersey's Guidelines
Income Shares Model with detailed Appendix IX-F tables
Note: Shared parenting adjustment for 105-256 overnights
Key Information
- •Model: Income Shares
- •Income Cap: $36,800/month combined
- •Last Updated: January 15, 2024
Common Deviation Factors
Monthly Income
Children & Custody
Additional Monthly Expenses
Estimates only — not legal advice. Consult a New Jersey family law attorney for official calculations.
Official New Jersey Court Forms
Download official court forms from the New Jersey judiciary website. These are free, legally valid forms for your family court case.
Child Support Forms
Official petitions & worksheets
Modification Forms
Request changes to orders
Financial Disclosure
Income & expense statements
These links go to official New Jersey court websites. Forms are free and provided by the state judiciary.
New Jersey Child Support Guidelines
New Jersey uses the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines (Appendix IX-F) to determine child support obligations. Under the Income Shares model, both parents' incomes are combined to estimate what the family would have spent on the child if the household were intact. The obligation is then divided proportionally based on each parent's contribution to combined net income.
New Jersey has several distinctive features in its child support system. New Jersey's Appendix IX-F is one of the most detailed income schedules in the country, with tables for every $10 income increment. Shared parenting applies when the non-custodial parent has 105-256 overnights — a specific "PAR" (Parent of Alternate Residence) range. New Jersey is one of the few states that explicitly addresses college contribution (Newburgh v. Arrigo factors) — courts can order parents to contribute to college costs.
New Jersey bases calculations on net income — meaning income after mandatory deductions like taxes, Social Security, and Medicare. This gives a more accurate picture of each parent's take-home pay. The self-support reserve in New Jersey is $1,450/month, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to cover basic living expenses.
How New Jersey Calculates Child Support
New Jersey follows a 7-step process under the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines (Appendix IX-F):
- 1
Calculate each parent's gross income from all sources
- 2
Convert to net income using the NJ tax tables (federal tax, NJ state tax, FICA)
- 3
Subtract mandatory deductions: union dues, mandatory retirement, prior child support, alimony
- 4
Combine net incomes and look up the Appendix IX-F award from the Sole Parenting table
- 5
If 105-256 PAR overnights: use the Shared Parenting table (higher base amount to reflect dual households)
- 6
Prorate based on each parent's income share and adjust for PAR overnights
- 7
Add proportional shares of child care, health insurance, and other approved expenses
Income Thresholds & Key Numbers in New Jersey
Maximum Income Cap
$36,800/mo
Self-Support Reserve
$1,450/mo
Shared Custody Threshold
105 nights/yr
28% of overnights
Income Basis
net
Sample Obligation Schedule
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $318 | $458 | $558 |
| $4,000 | $568 | $828 | $1,015 |
| $6,000 | $790 | $1,155 | $1,415 |
| $10,000 | $1,185 | $1,740 | $2,130 |
| $15,000 | $1,620 | $2,385 | $2,920 |
| $25,000 | $2,180 | $3,220 | $3,945 |
* Simplified schedule. Actual amounts may vary based on additional factors.
Custody Time Adjustments in New Jersey
New Jersey recognizes "Shared Parenting" when the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 105 overnights per year (approximately 28% of the time). When this threshold is met, the standard child support formula is adjusted to reflect the increased direct expenses borne by both parents.
Under New Jersey's Income Shares approach, the shared parenting adjustment typically calculates each parent's obligation based on their income share, then applies a credit or cross-calculation that accounts for the time each parent directly supports the child. The more overnights the non-custodial parent has, the greater the reduction in their payment — but the adjustment is not dollar-for-dollar because fixed costs like housing don't decrease when the child is away.
Below 105 overnights, New Jersey generally treats the arrangement as a sole custody situation with standard visitation, and no custody time adjustment is applied to the child support calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Child Support
What is Appendix IX-F?
Can New Jersey order parents to pay for college?
What is the PAR overnight range?
How to Reduce Child Support Costs in New Jersey
While child support is determined by New Jersey's guidelines, there are legitimate ways to ensure your obligation is calculated fairly.
Increase Parenting Time
In New Jersey, more overnights with your children can reduce your support obligation. Document actual time spent and request a formal custody modification if needed.
Ensure Accurate Income Reporting
Both parents' incomes must be reported accurately. Verify that bonuses, overtime, and variable income are averaged correctly over the appropriate period.
Claim All Allowable Deductions
New Jersey allows deductions for items like mandatory retirement contributions, union dues, and health insurance premiums. Make sure all qualifying deductions are included.
Request a Modification When Eligible
If your income has decreased by 15-25% or more, you may qualify for a modification. File promptly — changes are typically not retroactive before the filing date.
Account for Other Children
If you have other children you're legally obligated to support, this can be factored into the calculation as a deduction in most states.
Review Healthcare & Childcare Costs
Ensure shared expenses like health insurance and childcare are divided proportionally. If costs have changed, update the court.
Key Facts About Child Support in New Jersey
Calculation Model
Income Shares
Guidelines Source
State Statute
Review Frequency
Every 4 Years
Income Cap
$36,800/mo
Last Updated
January 15, 2024
Related Family Law Tools
Explore additional calculators and tools for your New Jersey family law case.