If you are going through a divorce for the first time in New Jersey, you might be encountering a number of new phrases. One of these phrases may be “extraordinary expense.” This term relates to how child support is handled in the garden state, and it is important to understand what it means if you are approaching a divorce. When you are being faced with handing over large amounts of money in child support payments, it makes sense to assess what you are actually paying for.
A qualified, experienced child support attorney in New Jersey can explain this concept in a clear, concise manner. Not only that, but they can guide you through the entire child support process and ensure that you are not being asked to pay more than your fair share. So what exactly is an “extraordinary expense,” anyway? While this quick guide provides considerable information, it is always best to consult with a child support attorney if you want expert advice.
What are Extraordinary Expenses?
For the most part, child support payments in New Jersey are supposed to cover the “ordinary” expenses involved in caring for a child. These include basic necessities like food, clothing, shelter, health, education, and perhaps entertainment. Whenever child-related expenses go outside the scope of these basic necessities, the court considers them to be “extraordinary expenses.”
Do I Have to Pay for Extraordinary Expenses?
Whenever extraordinary expenses arise, courts must decide whether or not the non-custodial parent should be forced to pay for them. Their main goal is to determine whether or not it is reasonable for the primary residential parent to ask for these payments to be covered through child support. Here are some examples of when you may have to pay for extraordinary expenses:
- Primary School: One of the most common examples of an extraordinary expense is private school tuition. In order to have this paid for via child support, a parent must show evidence that the child is capable of high academic performance, and that the local public schools are of a low standard. Children with special needs may also require additional programs/resources for their education.
- Extracurricular Activities: These may include things like summer camp, music lessons, sports, cheerleading, dance, martial arts, etc.
- College Tuition: In New Jersey, a child is not considered emancipated until after the age of 23 – as long as they are attending college. Your child support payments may go towards their college tuition as a result.
The main thing to remember is that your net worth and annual earnings will likely determine whether you have to pay for these extraordinary expenses. If you have the money to realistically cover all of these expenses, you will likely be asked to pay for them. If you do not have the funds, the court will probably not order you to pay for them. If you are looking for Child Custody Attorneys in New Jersey, Giro, LLP, Attorneys at Law could assist you.
Enlist the Help of a New Jersey Child Support Attorney Today
If you are concerned about having to pay “extraordinary expenses,” it makes sense to consult with a child support attorney in New Jersey as soon as possible. These legal experts can help you assess what you are being asked to pay for, and whether these demands are truly reasonable. If you discover you have been paying for things that you should not be responsible for, you can work with your attorney to modify your child support agreement. Reach out to Giro, LLP, Attorneys at Law at your earliest convenience, and we can develop an action plan together.
