In New York, Child Support is Highly Regulated
As a parent, you have a fundamental responsibility to support your children, and that responsibility does not end in divorce. In New York, the parent who does not have primary residential custody parent is required to pay child support to the parent with custody. Those payments are determined by a formula that considers the incomes of both parents and the number of children.
As a family law attorney in Dongan Hills, Staten Island, New York, for more than 20 years, I have extensive experience and can answer your questions about child support and explain how your support payments are calculated.
Here are some facts about child support payments in New York you may not be aware of:
- The amount of visitation you have can affect child support payments. Even if you have your child 50 percent of the time, you may still have to pay child support if you are the higher-earning spouse.
- Child support is based on your gross income, after Social Security, local tax and Medicare have been deducted.
- In addition to base child support, you must also pay a pro rata share of daycare expenses and health care costs.
- Child support payments can be modified in the event of job loss or other changes in your circumstances. However, you should never stop or change your payments without a court-approved modification.
- You are generally required to pay child support until your child reaches age 21.
- In some cases, tuition and extra-curricular expenses are also awarded in addition to child support.
To schedule a consultation with a lawyer to discuss child support payments: Call 718-351-3748 or fill out the contact form on this Web site. My law office is located on 94 Hancock Street in Dongan Hills, Staten Island, New York.
