NJSBA Family Law Section

Hello friends:

Sharing the below inquiry from a freelance journalist about a potential story they are researching. Please feel free to respond to the journalist whose information is below.

Special note: If you choose to contact the journalist, please speak only on your behalf and based on your experience and not as a representative of the NJSBA as NJSBA bylaws have specific designations about who is permitted to speak on behalf of the NJSBA. 

Stay safe. Stay well.

INQUIRY:
I'd like to know if your family law and tax specialists have noticed whether a trend is widespread regarding the pandemic-relief child tax credits: Non-custodial and absentee parents receive these temporary IRS payments in New Jersey since child support/custody orders allow non-custodial parents to receive tax credits for paid child support. 

In order for custodial parents to receive or get reimbursed for these pandemic-relief tax credits, they have to go through the court process, get a modified custody/child support order, and cross their fingers that a New Jersey family court judge will also require reimbursement. This has proven to be both time consuming and costly for low-income parents. 

Since congress is pushing to extend these non-refundable tax credits until 2025 -- or make them permanent -- this is a timely issue. 

I'm willing to speak on background at this point. My deadline is Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.

Thank you and all the best,

Elena Lopez

(freelance journalist)

(609) 789 - 8918