Divorce comes with a multitude of life-changing considerations. Asset division, maintenance, relocating to a new home and other matters can cause stress and confusion. The process can be even more confounding for parents – who have to deal with child custody and support arrangements.
If you have questions about child support in New York, contact the Elliot Green Law Offices. As a Staten Island child custody attorney, Mr. Green can help you avoid mistakes that could compromise your personal or financial interests.
Call 718-260-8668 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit www.USAttorneys.com to learn more about the divorce process.
What Is Child Support?
According to NYCourts.gov, children are entitled to a share of the income and living standards of both parents. The non-custodial parent pays child support to the custodial parent.
In most cases, child support payments continue until the child reaches the age of 21. According to the New York State website, there is a strict formula that governs the amount of child support owed:
How Does the Court Calculate Child Support?
The court will first establish the net amount that each parent earns each year. This net income is your gross income less certain deductions. These deductions may include New York City income tax, FICA, Yonkers income tax, and child support you are paying for other children.
The court will then add both parents’ net incomes together, and will multiply it by a certain percentage. This percentage depends on the number of children that the parents have:
- 17 percent for one child
- 25 percent for two children
- 29 percent for three children
- 31 percent for four children
- If there are five or more children, the court will multiply the net income by no less than 35 percent.
The court will then multiply the combined parents’ income by the applicable percentage. For example, if the non-custodial parent makes $40,000 and the custodial makes $20,000, the combined parents’ income is $60,000. If the parents have one child, the courts will multiply $60,000 x 0.17, which equals $10,200. In this example, the basic child support obligation per year is $10,200.
The courts would then determine the percentage of each parent’s income within the combined parents’ income. In this example, the non-custodial parent makes $20,000, which is approximately 33 percent of $60,000. That parent would need to pay 33 percent of the basic child support obligation ($10,200) each year, which is $3,366. In addition to child support, the non-custodial parent may have to pay for childcare, education, medical needs and other expenses.
If you would like to adjust a child support order, or if you have questions about divorce in New York, contact the Elliot Green Law Offices. Mr. Green is a Staten Island child support attorney who can guide you through the legal proceedings.
Our office is available 24 hours a day. Call 718-260-8668 to schedule a consultation.
