Most states have child support guidelines in their statutes—often in the statutes collected in the state’s family code. These child support guidelines provide percentages and methods of calculating child support payments based on the number of children; the parents’ incomes and financial resources; the income and needs of the custodial parent; the needs of the children, including any special needs; and the standard of living for the children before the parents’ divorce or separation. The child support guidelines are just guidelines, and the court generally has discretion to order more or less child support based on the best interest of the children.

In New Jersey, child support guidelines are established by the state to ensure that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being following their parents' divorce or separation. These guidelines take into account various factors such as the number of children, the income and financial resources of both parents, the needs and income of the custodial parent, the specific needs of the children (including any special needs), and the standard of living the children were accustomed to before the divorce or separation. The New Jersey Child Support Guidelines are used to calculate a presumptive amount of child support, but they are not absolute. Courts have the discretion to deviate from these guidelines when it is in the best interest of the children to do so. This discretion allows the court to consider the unique circumstances of each case and ensure that the child support order serves the children's needs appropriately.