This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

New Jersey — Alimony & Child Support

New Jersey uses a discretionary test — there's no bright-line statutory threshold. A judge or clerk evaluates the factors below and rules based on the full financial and situational picture. The calculator cannot compute a specific answer here, but these are the factors a court will weigh.

What the court will weigh

Gather documentation for the factors that apply to your situation — judges grant waivers more readily when the affidavit is specific.

1. Actual need and ability to pay

   The actual need and ability of the parties to pay.

2. Duration of the marriage

   Marriages under 20 years: alimony cannot exceed the length of the marriage absent exceptional circumstances. Marriages ≥20 years may qualify for open durational alimony.

3. Age, physical, and emotional health of parties

   The age, physical and emotional health of the parties.

4. Standard of living established during marriage

   The standard of living established in the marriage and the likelihood that each party can maintain a reasonably comparable standard.

5. Earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills, employability

   The earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills, and employability of the parties.

6. Length of absence from the job market

   The length of absence from the job market of the party seeking maintenance.

7. Parental responsibilities for the children

   The parental responsibilities for the children.

8. Time and expense necessary to acquire education or training

   The time and expense necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find appropriate employment.

9. History of financial and non-financial contributions

   The history of the financial or non-financial contributions to the marriage by each party including contributions to the care and education of the children and interruption of personal careers or educational opportunities.

10. Equitable distribution of property

    The equitable distribution of property ordered and any payouts therefrom.

11. Income available through investment

    The income available to either party through investment of any assets held by that party.

12. Tax treatment and consequences

    The tax treatment and consequences of any alimony award, including post-2018 TCJA federal treatment.

13. Nature, amount, and length of pendente lite support

    The nature, amount, and length of pendente lite support paid, if any.

14. Any other factors the court may deem relevant

    Any other factors which the court may deem relevant.

Open the full Alimony & Child Support guide

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New Jersey Alimony and Child Support Under N.J.S.A. § 2A:34-23 and Rule 5:6A

New Jersey determines alimony and child support under a single statute, N.J.S.A. § 2A:34-23, with child support also governed by the Child Support Guidelines in Rule 5:6A. The law sets out factors a court considers when awarding either type of support, but the specific calculation for child support follows a formula applied through the guidelines. For high-income cases, the guidelines cap the combined parental income used in the formula at $187,200; above that threshold, the court applies the statutory factors rather than the guideline formula. The worked example below demonstrates how the base child support amount is computed using that capped figure. To estimate support for your own income and circumstances, use the DocketMath calculator, which applies the official rules from the New Jersey statutes.

Governing authority

In New Jersey, the alimony child support rule is set by N.J.S.A. § 2A:34-23 (alimony + child); R. 5:6A Child Support Guidelines. The verified packet cites N.J.S.A. § 2A:34-23 (alimony + child); R. 5:6A Child Support Guidelines (https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislation-and-laws/statutes).

New Jersey alimony child support: the verified value is $187,200 under N.J.S.A. § 2A:34-23 (alimony + child); R. 5:6A Child Support Guidelines. The verified packet cites N.J.S.A. § 2A:34-23 (alimony + child); R. 5:6A Child Support Guidelines (https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislation-and-laws/statutes).

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the alimony child support calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.