How does the SCRA impact the collection of a child support award?
A uniquely problematic area involves the initial determination of a child support award and the stays imposed by the SCRA. New Jersey law requires an “expedited process” in child support determinations. This is at odds with the concept of a stay of the proceedings while the servicemember parent is unable to appear in court due to military duties. In most cases, a preliminary determination of child support must be made within sixty days of the filing of the FD case or the complaint to determine child support. The child support guidelines usually proscribe a formula for child support based on the income of one or both parents. In New Jersey child support cases, the family courts will still conduct a child support hearing even if the servicemember is not available. The family courts only need to have the parties’ income information to calculate a child support award. In most cases, the civilian spouse already has in her possession the couple’s tax returns and her husband’s pay info. In th
A uniquely problematic area involves the initial determination of a child support award and the stays imposed by the SCRA. New Jersey law requires an “expedited process” in child support determinations. This is at odds with the concept of a stay of the proceedings while the servicemember parent is unable to appear in court due to military duties. In most cases, a preliminary determination of child support must be made within sixty days of the filing of the FD case or the complaint to determine child support. The child support guidelines usually proscribe a formula for child support based on the income of one or both parents. In New Jersey child support cases, the family courts will still conduct a child support hearing even if the servicemember is not available. The family courts only need to have the parties’ income information to calculate a child support award. In most cases, the civilian spouse already has in her possession the couple’s tax returns and her husband’s pay info. In th
