New York City Child Support Lawyers

NYC Child Support Laws

Are you a parent who is entitled to or obligated to pay child support? While child support laws are designed to benefit your children, disputes over what is fair can bring undue stress upon all parties involved. When you are faced with a child support issue, it is best to trust it to an experienced attorney. The New York City child support lawyers at Cohen Forman Barone are committed to working hard to deliver an outcome that is right for you and your children. Our experienced and aggressive representation can help protect your rights as a parent and secure the best interests of your children.

What Can Child Support Be Used for in NY?

Contrary to common belief, child support can be used for more than just the basic necessities. There are a vast number of needs that child support can be used to cover.

Child support can be used for the following:

• Basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing
• Childcare
• Basic medical care
• Uninsured extraordinary medical expenses
• Educational expenses
• Entertainment
• Transportation and travel
• Extracurricular activities
• College expenses

It is unusual for a court system to monitor the use of child support funds. Such supervision is reserved for cases where a child’s basic needs are not being met. If this occurs, the court would intervene and require proof of proper use of the funds.

How Does New York Calculate Child Support?

The three-step formula for calculating NY child support is:

1. Calculate the combined income and each parent's income.
2. Use the correct percentage of total income CSSA says should be devoted to child support:
   1. 17% for one child
   2. 25% for two children
   3. 29% for three children
   4. 31% for four children
   5. 35% for five or more children
3. Calculate each parent's share.