There is no shortage of financial concerns to worry over when a marriage ends. On top of the emotional difficulty, divorces require a splitting of assets and responsibilities, and if you and your ex share small children, you'll also need to consider how you'll divide the financial responsibilities involving those children. One huge expense is the cost of daycare or nannies, and when parents split up, often the custodial parent finds they need to rely more heavily on these childcare services. The cost of childcare can shock some, as Economic Policy Institute reports, the average cost of New Jersey daycare for a 4-year-old is nearly $11 thousand annually.

Payment associated with the care of young children will be paid by the non-custodial parent based on a calculation prescribed by New Jersey guidelines. Sometimes, child support can be mutually agreed upon by the parents, while other times, disagreement forces the issue to be decided on by a judge. Some childcare costs, like food and clothing, are obvious, but some non-custodial parents disagree about who should pay for the care of the child while the custodial parent is working.

New Jersey Court Rule 5:6A Applies to Work-Related Childcare

The state of New Jersey has set forth specific guidelines concerning the payment of child support. Under New Jersey Court Rule 5:6A, the costs of work-related childcare expenses, like a nanny or daycare, are often included in the basic child support calculation. The worksheets used to tabulate child support requirements even contain a line item for “Net Work Related Child Care.”

The cost of childcare varies greatly depending on the type of services you need and how many children will need the care. These discussions require a high degree of diplomacy and if you need help discussing the terms of shared costs of childcare after your separation, call the experienced New Jersey family law team at The Lento Law Firm.

Who Pays for Childcare During the Divorce?

Many think of child support as a post-divorce issue, but what about during the divorce? Parents going through a divorce will generally separate long before the divorce is final, and it's important that a child not suffer financial hardships in the meantime. Parties do not have to be divorced to file for child support, and so long as you've settled the issue of custody, then you can file for child support. These issues are not always easily navigated, and it's always best you work with an experienced attorney.

Hiring a Dedicated New Jersey Family Law Attorney

Attorney Joseph D. Lento understands that both skill and diplomacy are required when parents with minor children decide to divorce. If you or someone you love needs help navigating the oftentimes complicated minefield of child support issues, call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 today, or contact us online.