Process of Child Support Payments in Hackensack
When a Court orders child support, the parent who pays it usually does not send the money directly to the other parent. Instead, the State receives the payments from the non-custodial parent and distributes the payment to the custodial parent.
The process of child support payments in Hackensack is simple in most cases. Learn about the options by working with a skilled family law attorney at Moskowitz Law Group. Our firm focuses solely on family law matters such as divorce, custody, and child support.
A Government Agency Usually Collects and Distributes Support
A custodial parent may choose to accept child support payments directly from the non-custodial parent. However, in most cases, a State agency called the New Jersey Family Support Payment Center (NJFSPC) manages the collection and payment of child support. The non-custodial parent pays the funds to the NJFSPC, which records the receipt of the child support payment and forwards the money to the non-custodial parent. The Probation Division for the County in which the child support order originated facilitates and enforces the non-custodial parent’s child support obligation for the NJFSPC.
Receiving child support payments through the NJFSPC has several benefits. It eliminates the need for parents to exchange money, which can reduce tension and the possibility of family conflict. Using the agency to collect and distribute child support also ensures that the State has a record of child support payments so there is no dispute as to what has been paid to the custodial parent. The Probation Division enforcing the obligation can also initiate enforcement actions before a parent falls too far into arrears and children begin to suffer from it.
Direct Income Withholding Is Preferred
Every child has the right to financial support from both their parents. Unfortunately, many parents who pay child support think of child support payments as money that goes to their ex-partner rather than their children. They may not prioritize support payments as they should and fall behind.
New Jersey, like many other states, has implemented a system that reduces the likelihood of a parent falling into arrears on child support. New Jersey Court Rule 5:7-4A requires a parent’s child support obligation to be garnished from their wages or other income unless the custodial parent agrees otherwise. Child support can be deducted from disability payments, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and other forms of income. Tax refunds payable to a parent in arrears may also be intercepted by the Probation Division and applied toward arrears.
Direct income withholding ensures that if non-custodial parent is receiving income, their children are benefiting from it. It ensures payments are made regularly and in full.
Other Ways to Pay Child Support
Some people do not earn a regular paycheck or obtain their income from activities other than working a regular job. They might be investors, business owners, creatives, or professional gamblers.
When a parent is self-employed or earns income from sources other than employment, they still must make regular payments. The child support order will specify how the parent paying it must make their payments to the NJFSPC.
The Court order may require a parent to pay child support weekly, biweekly, monthly, or at some other interval. It is usually weekly. There are several online options to pay directly from a bank account, make a credit card payment, or use other electronic payment methods. Parents can also mail a check to the NJFSPC or pay in cash at a local office.
Learn About Child Support Payment Options with a Hackensack Attorney
Child support is a child’s right. Parents have a legal obligation to support their children financially. Once a child support payment arrangement is agreed upon or ordered by the Court, payment through the NJFSPC ensures that parents obligated to pay it meets their obligation.
Talk to an attorney at Moskowitz Law Group about the process for child support payments in Hackensack. They can answer all your questions and ensure you understand the procedures. Reach out today.