What is the difference between child support and child care?

Child support and child care are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings in New Jersey. Child support is a court-ordered payment made by one parent to the other parent for the financial support of their child or children. This is usually based on the income of the non-custodial parent and the number of children involved and is typically determined during a divorce or when two people are separating. Child care, on the other hand, is not a court-ordered payment. Instead, this is an out-of-pocket expense paid by both parents for the care of their child or children. This can include daycare, a nanny, or babysitting services. Child care costs can increase when a parent is temporarily unable to care for their child, or when a child requires specialized care. Child support payments are designed to provide financial support to the parent who is responsible for the everyday care of the child or children whereas child care is designed to provide temporary or specialized care for the child when a parent is unable to provide it themselves. Both child support and child care are important in making sure the best interests of the child are met, and in New Jersey, both are enforced by law.

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What is the difference between child support and child care?

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