Child Support

If you have young children, your New York divorce probably included discussions of child support. You’re probably answering to a decree that states how much and how often one parent is expected to contribute financially to the child’s basic needs. In New York, either parent may ask the court to modify a child support decree. The decree may need to be modified if:

• There has been a “substantial change in circumstances,” like a change in the child’s medical needs
• The order is at least three years old and was made on or after October 13, 2010
• Either parent’s income has increased or decreased more than 15 percent since the last order was made

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If you’re considering a divorce and you have children, one issue you may have to face is how much child support one parent will need to pay in order to help meet your children’s needs. Negotiating child support can be an emotional topic, but you can take several steps to ease the process. Read the rest »

Child support in New York is determined by the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA), a statutory formula that determines the obligations for both the custodial and non-custodial parents. The statute has a cap of $141,000.00 for combined parental income subject to child support. When a couple has combined parental income above $141,000.00,  it is wise to work with an attorney experienced in high net worth divorce, even if you and your spouse already agree on child custody and support terms.

Why? There are two main reasons: Read the rest »

A little-known report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides an in-depth look at child support arrangements in New York and the United States – and its numbers shed surprising new light on some of the biggest child support myths.

Nationwide, says the Congressional Research Service:

• 4 million parents have physical custody of their children while the other parent lives somewhere else.
• Although 1 million families have a child support agreement, only 2.1 million actually received any payments in 2011. This means five million children went without the support of their non-custodial parent, despite the parents’ agreement to contribute to their needs. Read the rest »

When parents divorce in New York, one question they face is how to continue raising their children in a stable and loving environment. New York courts make custody and support decisions based on the “best interests of the child.” Working with an experienced New York child support attorney can help you ensure that your child’s best interests are met.

Custody questions in New York deal with both “physical custody,” or where the child lives, and “legal custody,” or who can make important decisions for the child. When one parent is awarded physical custody, the other parent typically has the right to visitation. However, the non-custodial parent may be required to pay child support, even if he or she has regular visitation. Read the rest »

If you have young children and are considering divorce, the question of child support may arise. It’s wise to begin working with an experienced Long Island divorce attorney as soon as possible, so you can address questions of support and custody in ways that are best for your child.

Child support can become a contentious issue in some divorces. In order to prepare for negotiating support obligations and amounts, keep these four tips in mind: Read the rest »

When the parents of minor children are considering a divorce from one another, one of the most important questions they must ask concern how they will take care of their children once the parents live apart.  As in other states, New York recognizes each parent’s obligation to his or her child and the importance of ensuring that kids have the financial and emotional support they need for healthy growth.

Child support  allocations are payments that one parent makes to help meet the financial needs of the children. Often, child support is paid when the children spend most of their time living with one of the two parents. Read the rest »