Child Support Ends Upon Emancipation

Remember that “Emancipation of a child is reached when the fundamental dependent relationship between parent and child is concluded, the parent relinquishes the right to custody and is relieved of the burden of support, and the child is no longer entitled to support.” Filippone v. Lee, 304 N.J. Super. 301, 308 (App. Div. 1997). A determination pertaining to emancipation is a fact sensitive matter, requiring a critical evaluation of the circumstances presented by the parties to determine if the child has moved beyond the sphere of parental influence and responsibility and achieved an independent status. Id. (quoting Bishop v. Bishop, 287 N. J. Super. 593 (Ch. Div. 1995)); see also Newburgh v. Arrigo, 88 N.J. 529, 543 (1982).

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