Child Support: Protecting Your Children's Future
Your kids come first, and child support should reflect that. We guide you through New York's child support guidelines, make sure income is calculated correctly, and push for terms that protect your rights and your financial future.
How New York calculates child support
From base support to add-ons like health insurance, childcare, and extracurricular expenses, we address every component of support and advocate for a clear, enforceable arrangement that puts you in the strongest possible position. New York uses the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) to calculate basic child support as a percentage of combined parental income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and no less than 35% for five or more. The calculation applies to combined income up to a statutory cap, with courts retaining discretion above that threshold.
Add-on expenses
Beyond the basic support amount, the CSSA requires parents to share certain additional expenses in proportion to their incomes. These add-ons include health insurance, unreimbursed medical and dental costs, childcare expenses that enable the custodial parent to work or pursue education, and, at the court's discretion, educational costs and extracurricular activities.
Getting the income calculation right
Incorrect income figures produce incorrect support. We scrutinize pay stubs, tax returns, business income, and other sources to ensure the calculation reflects reality and that no income is improperly excluded or double-counted. If a parent is voluntarily underemployed, courts may impute income at a higher level.
Enforcement and modification
Child support orders are legally enforceable. If circumstances change materially, such as a job loss, a significant income change, or a change in custody arrangements, either parent may seek a modification. We guide both initial establishment and later modifications.
Other Services
Make sure child support is calculated correctly.
A clear, enforceable child support order protects both you and your children. Contact us for a free case estimate.