How it works · official guideline
How child support is calculated in New Jersey
New Jersey’s child support guidelines are court rule appendices (Rules of Court Appendix IX) built on an income shares approach using the parents' net incomes and a weekly support schedule (Appendix IX-F). The Supreme Court updates figures every year; from June 1, 2026 the self-support reserve is $460 a week (150% of the poverty guideline for one person).[1]
Key facts: child support in New Jersey
| Guideline model | Income shares[1] |
|---|---|
| Low income | Self-support reserve: $460 per week (150% of the poverty guideline, as of Jan. 1, 2026)[1] |
| Minimum order | Very low income: between $5 per week and the schedule amount at $180 combined net weekly income[1] |
| Review cycle | Annual updates; current revisions effective June 1, 2026[1] |
| Guideline last checked | October 26, 2026 |
New Jersey’s model
Income shares
Income shares: combined weekly net income, then Appendix IX-F schedule, shared by income (court rule guidelines).
No official calculator confirmed yet
Read the guideline: N.J. Supreme Court Order of March 31, 2026 amending Rules Appendices IX-A, IX-B, IX-E and IX-HThe state child support agency or your court clerk can run the official numbers.
Why no calculator here? We publish a calculator only after it reproduces the state’s official numbers exactly. We haven’t matched New Jersey’s yet.
From the official text
The rules behind New Jersey’s numbers
The guideline is N.J. Supreme Court Order of March 31, 2026 amending Rules Appendices IX-A, IX-B, IX-E and IX-H. Open each rule to read the exact words.
- Low income
Self-support reserve: $460 per week (150% of the poverty guideline, as of Jan. 1, 2026)
The award is adjusted for the self-support reserve only when paying it would push the obligor below the reserve and the custodial parent’s own remaining income is above 150% of the poverty guideline.[1]
Official text · Appendix IX-A ¶ 7(h) as amended effective June 1, 2026
“The self-support reserve is 150% of the U.S. poverty guideline for one person.”
- Minimum order
Very low income: between $5 per week and the schedule amount at $180 combined net weekly income
When an obligor’s income is below the reserve level, the court sets a fixed amount after reviewing income and expenses, generally between $5 a week and the schedule amount at $180 combined net weekly income.[1]
Official text · Appendix IX-A ¶ 20(a) as amended effective June 1, 2026
“In all cases, a fixed dollar amount shall be ordered to establish the principle of the parent's support obligation and to provide a basis for an upward modification should the obligor's income increase in the future.”
- Review cycle
Annual updates; current revisions effective June 1, 2026
The Supreme Court adopts annual updating amendments; the latest revisions to Appendices IX-A, IX-B, IX-E and IX-H took effect June 1, 2026.[1]
Official text · N.J. Supreme Court Order, March 31, 2026
“of the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey are adopted to be effective June 1, 2026.”
Guideline: N.J. Supreme Court Order of March 31, 2026 amending Rules Appendices IX-A, IX-B, IX-E and IX-H (effective June 1, 2026), checked October 26, 2026.
Estimate and general information only — not legal advice. MediationList is a directory, not a law firm, and doesn’t endorse any mediator. Guidelines change; confirm with the state child support agency or your court (sources checked October 26, 2026). See also divorce laws in New Jersey and child support in every state.
Sources
New Jersey’s child support guideline, rules and official tools, read on the official sites, with the date we checked each.