As you navigate your separation with your spouse or co-parent, you want to ensure you what you are paying or receiving is fair in alimony and/or child support. You may be wondering if you have to pay alimony or child support, if you are able to receive alimony or child support, and how the amounts are determined.
Rigden Lieberman, LLC can help answer these questions. We proudly serve the Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Ocean County, Atlantic County, Cape May County, Salem County, Cumberland County, and Mercer County, New Jersey, areas in all matters of family law.
What Is Alimony & Child Support?
In the event of a divorce or separation, one party may be eligible for alimony or child support. Alimony refers to the financial support of one partner to another while child support is the financial support of a child.
Though there are differences between these two types of support, both are a legal financial obligation determined by the court. We’ll review their differences below.
Alimony
Alimony, or spousal support, is a court-ordered obligation of one spouse to provide financial support to the other either during or after a divorce. Unmarried co-parents cannot seek alimony. There are five types of alimony recognized in the state of New Jersey:
- Limited Duration Alimony
- Open Durational alimony
- Rehabilitative alimony
- Reimbursement alimony
The type of alimony will depend on your marriage. For example, if one partner supported another through higher education, that person may be entitled to reimbursement alimony. To determine eligibility for alimony, a court will consider 14 separate statutory factors, including the parties’ standard of living during the marriage, incomes, and the length of the marriage.
Child Support
Child support refers to the financial contribution of one parent to the child’s expenses, which include food, shelter, education, and health care. Both parents are responsible for providing financial support to their children.
In many cases of child support, there are two types of parents:
- Custodial Parent—the parent who receives the child support and with whom the children primarily reside
- Non-Custodial Parent—the parent paying the child support
Child support is paid until the child is deemed emancipated by the court, generally around the time they graduate college or begin working full time.
Navigating Alimony & Child Support With an Attorney
During a divorce, a court will determine eligibility for alimony and child support based on individual circumstances, including the number and age of your children, personal finances, and marital history. As such, it is beneficial to consult with an attorney as you navigate this process.
At igden Lieberman, LLC, Alexandra Rigden can assist you through these difficult times. Her experience and compassion make her well-qualified to represent you and work towards the most favorable outcome for you and your family.
Request a Consultation at Rigden Lieberman, LLC
If you are filing for divorce in South Jersey, Rigden Lieberman, LLC can help you navigate alimony and child support.
Contact us today to request a consultation. We are here to support you.