Isaacson v. Isaacson
New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division
792 A.2d 525 (2002)
Lily Isaacson (plaintiff) and Joel Isaacson (defendant) divorced in 1996 when Joel earned $180,000 and Lily earned essentially nothing, with Joel agreeing to pay $2,400 a month in child support plus certain expenses and partial private school tuition. Two years later, as Lily's alimony was ending and with Joel now earning over $550,000 a year and Lily earning $50,000, Lily sought a support modification; the trial court set support at $3,500 a month without considering Lily's income, above the guideline maximum, while keeping Joel responsible for 79 percent of private school tuition, and both parties appealed.
Whether the amount of child support for high-income parents whose earnings exceed the statutory guidelines is based on the reasonable needs of the child, considered in light of the parents' standard of living.