Child support matters are critical to protecting the interests of children during and after the separation of their parents. That said, reaching a final determination on child support is rarely a simple process. Fortunately, however, you don’t have to navigate these complicated waters alone.

If you have questions about the child support process in New Jersey, an experienced family law and child support attorney can help you get the answers you need.

Keep reading to learn more about what to look for in a child support lawyer in New Jersey and how to find the right one for your case. Then, give the team at Weiner Law a call to see how we can help you move forward.

If you have questions, or would like to speak with a New Jersey child support attorney, please contact us today.

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New Jersey Child Support Statistics and Resources

According to a report published by the U.S. Census Bureau in May 2020, approximately one-half of custody arrangements in 2017 included some form of child support agreement.

Notably, 69.8% of custodial parents who were supposed to receive support reported receiving at least some of those payments.

However, only 45.9% reported receiving the full amount they were supposed to get. In total, there was approximately $30.0 billion due in child support that year. Of this amount, 62.2% was ultimately received, with an average of $3,431 per custodial parent. 

Of course, the total amount of child support that is due will ultimately depend on the particular facts and circumstances surrounding your case.

In the State of New Jersey, the court determines these amounts using the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines, which take into account the income of both parents and the average amount that families spend on their children. 

While these Guidelines can be confusing, an experienced child support lawyer can help you understand how they might apply to your case. 

Do I Need an Attorney for My Child Support Case? 

In short, no. There is no statute or court rule requiring you to hire an attorney for your child support matter. In fact, the New Jersey Courts provide a number of valuable self-help resources for parties looking to navigate the process on their own. 

That said, having an attorney is strongly recommended. In many cases, having an experienced family law attorney in your corner can vastly improve your chances of getting the results you are seeking.

Attorneys know which points of law matter and which don’t, so they can much more effectively make your argument and obtain the support you need.

What Can a Child Support Lawyer Do to Help My Case?

Making the decision to hire an attorney can seem difficult when you know that you are not legally required to hire one under New Jersey law. Nevertheless, there are a number of reasons why doing so can be a benefit to your case. 

For example, an experienced family law and child support attorney can help you with the following: 

  • Providing legal expertise and guidance throughout the process,
  • Drafting and filing important legal documents with the court,
  • Assessing your case and calculating potential payments using the Child Support Guidelines,
  • Negotiating potential settlements with opposing parties and their legal counsel, 
  • Representing you in any mediation sessions in an effort to reach an amicable settlement resolution,
  • Seeking modification of existing child support orders when circumstances have changed, 
  • Enforcing child support orders when the opposing party isn’t complying, and 
  • Taking your case to trial and representing your interests in court when settlement isn’t possible. 

In short, an attorney can help protect your rights and interests, all while streamlining the process and lifting a significant amount of weight off of your shoulders along the way. 

What to Look for in a New Jersey Child Support Attorney

When it comes to finding the right attorney for your case, here are a few things you should look for: 

  • Specialization in family law. Due to the specialized nature of child support matters and family law issues, generally, it’s important to have an attorney whose primary focus is just that—family law. 
  • Strong negotiation skills. In many child support matters, the courts will encourage the parties to attempt to reach an agreement on disputed matters through mediation or other alternative dispute resolution methods. Thus, having someone with strong communication and negotiation skills is crucial and can often help you save time, money, and significant frustration down the line. 
  • Compassion and empathy. Child support cases frequently involve sensitive topics and can be emotionally charged. As such, having an attorney who understands what you are going through and who treats you with the care and compassion you deserve is paramount. 
  • Litigation experience. Getting a pre-trial settlement is best for everyone involved, but this is not always possible. Thus, hiring an attorney with tried and true litigation experience will be essential in the event your case does go to trial. 
  • Positive reviews. One of the best ways to get a sense of an attorney you are considering is by reading past client reviews. So don’t forget to do at least a quick internet search for any attorneys you are considering before deciding which one to hire. 

With so many family law attorneys in New Jersey, it can be difficult to know which one to select for your child support matter. However, we hope these tips will help you stay on the right track as you begin your search.   

How Much Does a Child Support Lawyer Cost? 

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how much a child support lawyer costs. This is because the cost will vary widely from attorney to attorney based on their level of experience, location, and other factors, such as the complexity of your particular case. 

That said, the best way to determine how much an attorney might cost is simply to reach out to various attorneys and compare their rates. If you have questions about how much it will cost to hire an attorney at Weiner Law, do not hesitate to reach out to our team to discuss our rates. 

Weiner Law: What Sets Us Apart

At Weiner Law, we pride ourselves ongoing above and beyond for our family law clients. We understand that there are many other child support attorneys you can choose from, but here are a few things that we think set us apart from the rest: 

  • We have nearly 30 years of experience representing the interests of clients in family law-related matters; 
  • Our experience extends not only to child support matters but also to custody, alimony, divorce, and other related areas of the law; and
  • Our child support lawyers always strive to provide you with practical, timely solutions and zealous advocacy in an effort to get you the results you need and deserve. 

We hope to earn your trust and help you fight for the rights of your family moving forward. 

Your Trusted New Jersey Child Support Lawyers

If you are facing a child support dilemma, know that you can turn to Weiner Law. Our New Jersey child support lawyers have decades of experience and the tools and resources necessary to help you succeed.

We represent clients across the state, including in Parsippany, Atlantic City, Bayonne, Vineland, Jersey City, Old Bridge, Woodbridge Township, Bridgewater, Clifton, Elizabeth, Union City, North Bergen, Red Bank, Hoboken, Bergen County, Hudson County, and Union County. Thus, when you hire our team, you can feel confident knowing that your case is in great hands. 

When you’re ready to get started, contact us online or give us a call to discuss your case and see how we can help you move forward today.

Where You Can Find Our Parsipanny-Troy Hills, NJ Office