Suffolk County Child Support Lawyers

Helping Parents Understand Child Support Laws in New York State

Divorce often takes a toll on the emotional and financial well-being of the parties involved. Additional concerns arise when there are children involved. The Suffolk County child support lawyers at Montefusco Law Group understand that child support orders can have a significant impact on the welfare of your child, as well as your own finances.

No matter what side of a child support dispute you find yourself on, our experienced family lawyers can provide you with aggressive legal advocacy as we help you to get the results that are in the best interest of your child.

Should I Hire an Attorney for Child Support?

The law does not necessarily require you to hire a lawyer to handle your child support case but it would be a good idea to do so for complicated scenarios. This is particularly true if you remain in the midst of a divorce or child custody disagreement between you and your ex-spouse.

Should I Get a Lawyer for Child Support Modification?

Yes you should hire a lawyer for child support modification as the best option. Think about your custody arrangements with your children and how it affects your relationship. Hiring a lawyer for modifications for child support will run much easier. If you are looking to modify an existing child support order, you will be required to bring a substantial information.

How Much Is Child Support in NY?

To ensure the financial needs of a child are met after a separation or divorce, the New York court system will issue a child support order. A child support order is based on parent’s income levels and the amount of time that each parent spends with the child. The complete guidelines for child support can be found in The New York Family Court Act, section 413, 413a.

The process for determining the amount of child support required from a noncustodial parent is as follows:

• The court determines the noncustodial parent’s adjusted income
• The court multiplies the adjusted gross income by the standard guideline percentage for the number of children
• The noncustodial parent’s share of child care, educational, and medical expenses are added to the income percentage amount

The noncustodial parent will be required to pay the combined amount of the percentage of income and the share of expenses. If the parent’s income is over $130,000, the court may decide to use other factors in place of the percentage guidelines to determine the child support payment.

How Long Do You Pay Child Support in NY?

New York law stipulates that both parents must share the responsibility of financially supporting their child until the child is 21 years old. If the child is under 21 but married, self-supporting, or in the military, then the child is considered independent of his or her parents. The parents may discontinue the financial support if they so desire.

What Is Included in Child Support in NY?

In New York, child support covers necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. The non-custodial parent may also be required to contribute to additional expenses, such as:

• Medical expenses
• Extracurricular activities
• Childcare
• Education

Can A Lawyer Help Reduce Child Support?

Yes. Your attorney will have to gather any necessary evidence, such as tax returns, pay stubs, and other financial information before filing a modification request also known as a “Motion to Modify”. Hiring to a child support attorney may help you understand the family laws in New York regarding child support and provide you with the best solution.

Contact Montefusco Law Group

Calculating child support in New York can be confusing. It is best to rely on the legal counsel of a qualified family law attorney. Our Suffolk County child support attorneys have the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully guide you through the entire child support process.