Child support in New Jersey is designed to ensure that children receive the financial resources necessary to meet their basic needs and maintain a standard of living similar to what they would have experienced if their parents were together. For children with special needs or significant medical expenses, child support considerations can become more complex, requiring adjustments to address their unique circumstances.
Here is what you need to know about how special needs and medical expenses impact child support in New Jersey.
Understanding Child Support Guidelines in New Jersey
New Jersey uses the Child Support Guidelines to calculate support payments based on the parents’ incomes, the number of children, and other factors. However, the guidelines may not fully account for extraordinary expenses related to a child’s special needs or ongoing medical care. In these cases, courts can deviate from the standard guidelines to ensure the child’s specific needs are met.
How Special Needs or Medical Expenses Impact Child Support
- Extraordinary Expenses Are Considered
- Special needs children often require additional financial support for medical treatments, therapies, education, or assistive devices. Courts can factor in these costs when determining the amount of child support.
- Examples of expenses include:
- Medical treatments not covered by insurance
- Specialized education or private schooling
- Therapy sessions (physical, occupational, speech, or behavioral)
- Prescription medications
- Adaptive equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, hearing aids)
- Support Beyond the Age of 19
- In most cases, child support obligations end when a child turns 19 or graduates high school or college. However, for children with special needs, support may continue into adulthood if the child cannot support himself/herself financially due to a disability.
- Shared Responsibility for Medical Costs
- In addition to child support, parents are typically required to share the costs of unreimbursed medical expenses. This may include co-pays, deductibles, or expenses not covered by health insurance.
- Courts may require one or both parents to maintain health insurance coverage for the child.
Modification of Child Support for Special Needs
If your child’s special needs or medical expenses arise after the original child support order is established, you may request a modification of the support order. To do so, you must demonstrate:
- A significant change in circumstances, such as a new medical diagnosis or increased care costs.
- Evidence of the additional expenses and how they impact the child’s well-being.
How Courts Determine Fair Support
When evaluating child support for a child with special needs or medical expenses, New Jersey courts consider:
- The child’s current and future needs
- The financial ability of each parent to contribute
- The availability of government benefits or assistance programs (e.g., Social Security Disability Insurance)
- The child’s educational and medical expenses
- Any other relevant factors that impact the child’s quality of life
Seeking a Customized Support Plan
Every family’s situation is unique, especially when caring for a child with special needs. A standard child support calculation may not suffice. Working with an experienced family law attorney can help you create a support plan tailored to your child’s specific requirements.
How Ziegler Law Group LLC Can Help
At Ziegler Law Group LLC, we understand the challenges families face when caring for a child with special needs or significant medical expenses. Our experienced attorneys are committed to helping parents secure the financial support necessary to meet their child’s unique needs. Whether you are seeking to establish, enforce, or modify a child support order, we will guide you through the process with care and knowledgeable advice.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you protect your child’s future.
