How-to · Updated October 2, 2026
How does 50/50 custody affect child support in New Jersey?
Direct answer
Equal time does not erase the order. At 182 overnights, $90,000 versus $60,000 is about $111 a week ($477 a month) for two children, paid by the higher earner. The shared-parenting worksheet starts at about 101 overnights (28% of the year).
Same incomes, more overnights
Calculator default: $85,000 and $55,000, two children, no child-care or insurance add-on.
| Overnights | Share of the year | Worksheet | Weekly order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0.0% | Sole | $288 |
| 52 | 14.2% | Sole | $261 |
| 100 | 27.4% | Sole | $236 |
| 101 | 27.7% | Shared | $190 |
| 104 | 28.5% | Shared | $187 |
| 182 | 49.9% | Shared | $112 |
Half the year, unequal pay
| Incomes at 182 nights | Who pays | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
| $90,000 and $60,000 | Higher earner | $111 |
| $50,000 and a $120,000 primary parent | Primary parent | $76 |
Shared parenting credits fixed costs at 38% of the basic award and variable costs at 37%. The sole worksheet credits only the 37% variable share.
Limits
- Educational estimate from Appendix IX-A and IX-F, not a custody plan and not a court order.
- If the primary household’s net income plus support is under twice the poverty guideline, the shared worksheet is replaced by the sole worksheet and the parenting-time credit is up to the judge.
- A new partner’s income is not added to a parent’s income. It can matter in the household-income test for shared parenting.
Use the calculator
Starting from salary alone: New Jersey child support on a $120,000 salary. Change the overnight count in the New Jersey child support calculator.