Parenthood is difficult enough as it is. It is a lifelong commitment that rarely comes with any thanks but does come with a great deal of responsibility. Throw in an absent parent into the mix and life gets even more difficult.
Thankfully, the State of New Jersey provides protection for parents who have been left by their child’s other parents. That protection is called child support. Child support is when the courts mandate that a parent make a financial contribution towards the providing and caring for their child.
Any single parent tasked with raising a child on his or her own has a right to seek child support. Such payments are not guaranteed, however, which makes the services of a child support attorney in NJ useful.
If you think you may need to pursue support payments in order to help raise your child, here are some facts you need to know:
- Never rely entirely on child support. Do put up the strongest legal fight you can – it’s what is best for your children – but the smart thing to do is to plan your life as if you are not getting child support.
- Let the lawyers do their job. If you are fighting for child support in New Jersey, follow the advice of your legal counsel and then step back and let them do the job you’re paying them to do. Doing otherwise could put your case in jeopardy.
- Understand your state’s laws. Child support laws can differ from state to state, so if you are seeking a child support attorney in Toms River, for instance, you will be dealing with New Jersey laws. Therefore, the advice you hear from someone in, say, Ohio may not apply to you.
- Don’t be afraid to file. If the courts award you child support, you have a legal right to that money. If your spouse is not making payments the way they are supposed to, don’t hesitate to protect your rights.
- Don’t play games with visitation. Your child’s other parent probably has visitation rights. If that is the case, be sure to abide by the court’s orders when it comes to the issue. Not doing so could reflect poorly on you if you need to go before the court again to request an adjustment to your child support, among other issues.
It is important to remember that this advice is nothing more than a primer on some of the basics. In order to ensure you and your child are properly protected, it is usually best to consult with an attorney who specializes in New Jersey child support.
If you do choose to consult with an attorney, do the smart thing and follow their advice. It’s easy to get caught up in emotions when it comes to a topic as sensitive as this. Try not to fall into that trap.
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