New Jersey Child Support Calculator
New Jersey's child support guidelines (Court Rules Appendix IX) are an income-shares model built on weekly net income. A new Appendix IX-F schedule took effect on September 2025. This calculator follows the sole-parenting worksheet, or the shared-parenting worksheet once the other parent has about two overnights a week, with child care, health insurance and the self-support reserve.
Monthly ÷ 4.3 or annual ÷ 52
Monthly ÷ 4.3 or annual ÷ 52
Out of 365; with equal time, Parent B is the primary residence
Work-related, after federal and NJ child care credits
Work-related, after federal and NJ child care credits
The children's share of the premium only
The children's share of the premium only
Estimated monthly child support
Parent A (pays support)
Annual amount
Who pays
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Combined weekly net income | $1,800.00 |
| Parent A income share 56% of combined income | 0.56 |
| Basic weekly support ($1,800 schedule row) | $403.00 |
| Parent A's share of the total support amount | $226.00 |
| Parenting time adjustment (variable expenses) $403 × 0.20 of overnights × 0.37 | −$30.00 |
| Weekly child support order | $196.00 |
| Monthly equivalent (weekly × 4.3) Parent A (pays support) pays | $842.80 |
This is a guideline estimate under N.J. Court Rules, R. 5:6A and Appendix IX for informational purposes only — it is not legal advice and not a substitute for the official worksheet or a family-law attorney. Courts can deviate from guideline amounts based on statutory factors, and inputs like income determination or imputed income are ultimately decided by the court.
New Jersey child support at a glance
| Model | Income shares (weekly net income) |
| Schedule range | $180–$3,600 combined weekly net income |
| Self-support reserve | $460 a week |
| Shared parenting | From 28% of overnights |
| Children on the schedule | 1–6 |
| Schedule effective | September 2025 |
Weekly net income
Every worksheet amount is weekly: divide monthly amounts by 4.3 and annual amounts by 52. Net income is gross taxable income minus mandatory retirement contributions, income tax withholding, mandatory union dues and support paid for other children, plus non-taxable income. Enter each parent's weekly net income; the calculator does not compute taxes.
Sole and shared parenting
Below about two overnights a week (28% of overnights), the sole-parenting worksheet applies and the non-custodial parent may get a parenting time credit for variable costs such as food and transportation, 37% of the basic amount times their share of overnights. At 28% or more, with a parenting plan and separate living space for the child, the shared-parenting worksheet adds the alternate household's fixed costs (38% of the basic amount, scaled by time) and subtracts that parent's fixed and variable spending. Either parent can end up paying.
Low and high incomes
The self-support reserve is 150% of the federal poverty guideline for one person, $460 a week for 2026. If paying the guideline amount would leave the obligor below it while the other parent stays above it, the order is limited to the obligor's income above the reserve. Below $180 of combined weekly income, the court sets an award from $5.00 a week. Above $3,600 a week ($187,200 a year), the $3,600 amount is a minimum and the court adds a discretionary amount.
Frequently asked questions
Does New Jersey use gross or net income for child support?
Net income. The worksheet starts from gross taxable income and subtracts mandatory retirement contributions, federal, state and local income tax withholding, mandatory union dues and support paid for other children, then adds non-taxable income and non-means-tested government benefits for the child.
How do overnights affect New Jersey child support?
A non-custodial parent with regular parenting time may receive a credit for variable costs, at most 37% of the basic amount times their share of overnights. With the substantial equivalent of two or more overnights a week (28%), a parenting plan and separate living space for the child, the court can use the shared-parenting worksheet instead. Neither adjustment is presumptive when the primary household's income is low.
What is the self-support reserve in New Jersey?
150% of the U.S. poverty guideline for one person, $460 a week with the current guideline. The order is limited only if paying it would leave the obligor below the reserve and the other parent's income after their share stays above it. A fixed amount is still ordered, usually at least $5.00 a week.
What if combined income is above $3,600 a week?
The schedule stops at $3,600 of combined weekly net income ($187,200 a year) and may not be extrapolated. The court applies the guidelines up to that amount and adds a discretionary amount based on the remaining income and the factors in N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23. The calculator shows the top-row amount as a minimum.
Can the parent with more overnights pay support in New Jersey?
Yes. On the shared-parenting worksheet a negative result means the parent of primary residence owes support to the other parent, which can happen when that parent earns more and time is close to equal.
Can a New Jersey court deviate from the guidelines?
Yes. The guidelines are a rebuttable presumption: the court may disregard them or adjust the award when a party shows that a guidelines-based award would be inappropriate or unjust in the specific case, and the reason and the guidelines amount must be written on the worksheet or in the order.