Do you know how child support is calculated in PA? In NJ? You may be surprised how similar they are. Do you know when a child support obligation ends in PA? In NJ? You may be surprised the difference with the answers. The advantage of practicing family and matrimonial law in both jurisdictions is I know all of these answers.

In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Courts utilize child support guidelines to calculate a person’s support obligation.  Both of parties net incomes are combined to determine the total amount of support that should be earmarked for a child or children and then each parties’ proportionate share identifies each of their respective obligations.  For example, if an obligor’s net income is $3,000 per month and the obligee’s net income is $1,000, the combined monthly net income is $4,000 and for one child, the Pennsylvania guidelines indicate that $863 should be earmarked for the child.  Since the obligor contributes 75% of the total monthly income ($3,000 / $4,000 = 75%), the obligor’s monthly child support obligation is $647.25.  Although the exact amounts in the guidelines are slightly different in each state, the calculation is the same.

Similarly, in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, an individual’s child support obligation terminates when the child is determined to be emancipated.  While emancipation in Pennsylvania occurs when a child turns 18 years old or graduates high school, whichever is later, emancipation in New Jersey does not occur until after a child finishes college or some other post-secondary education.

If you or any of your family members or friends are facing some family law matters in either PA or NJ, call Rocco Law @ 215.977.7141 for help.