Mercer County is home to New Jersey's state capitol, Trenton. The county has over 370,000 residents who are served by Mercer County Superior Court. The court oversees all matters of law within the county. All matters of Family Law are handled within the court's Family Division; this includes issues pertaining to child support and alimony. Mercer County has distinct processes for handling both of these issues. Although these issues are commonly handled with divorce, child support may be resolved without a divorce so long as a custody agreement stands or paternity is established.
Child Support In Mercer County
Child support is a regularly-scheduled monthly payment intended to assist one parent with the care of a child, often when parents have set up a custody arrangement. Child support can be filed in Mercer County using either a Sole Parenting Worksheet or a Shared Parenting Worksheet. What type of filing is appropriate depends on upon what type of custody has been arranged. It is normally expected that more child support will be received by parents who have sole custody, as they will have more responsibility for the child's needs. Child support amounts are based upon both parents' net income, along with any additional expenses that a child may have, such as special medical expenses. Once a child support agreement is established, it typically contains a set date for expiration. If no expiration date was set, the supporting parent can request for termination or modification once circumstances change or if the child can support themselves. Child support can be requested by parents even without a divorce.
Alimony In Mercer County
Alimony is a support payment paid to a spouse upon divorce. Alimony comes in many forms in Mercer County. The most common form of alimony is alimony pendente lite (APL) or temporary alimony, which is meant to support a spouse through the divorce process, expiring when the divorce is finalized. Limited duration alimony is an alimony order that is meant to support a former spouse until they are able to support themselves. Another type of alimony is reimbursement alimony, which is alimony paid out to a spouse who supported their significant other through education, but due to divorce was not able to receive any benefit. Rehabilitative alimony is meant to help a former spouse through substance abuse counseling services. Finally, permanent alimony, though rare, is meant to support spouses who sacrificed career and education goals in order to pursue the marriage. Alimony is determined based upon by the length of marriage, the ages of the spouses, each spouse's income, the standard of living during the marriage, and other factors. Alimony is available through divorce proceedings, but it must be requested. At times, in a fault divorce, a judge will consider granting higher alimony to the wronged spouse.
If you or a loved one is involved in child support and alimony proceedings in Mercer County, New Jersey, contact attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
