How Is Child Support Calculated?

Parents have a legal obligation to financially support their children. Placing a dollar amount on that obligation, however, is no easy task. Children have complex financial needs ranging from day care and health insurance to educational and extracurricular expenses.

New York uses a statutory formula based on both parents’ incomes to calculate child support. Your custody arrangement will also factor into the equation.

In many cases, though, it’s not as simple as punching numbers. Questions may arise about the actual income of parents who are self-employed, for example. Children may have special needs that require additional expenses. Other fact-specific circumstances may warrant deviating from the formula.

Because these issues can quickly become complicated — and because child support plays such a critical role in family finances — it’s important to seek legal guidance.

Get Advice Tailored To Your Situation

At The Law Offices of Michael N. Kalil in Utica, we help parents with all aspects of child support. Our attorneys understand not only the statutory law but also the ever-evolving case law that affects child support. We have experience navigating the challenges involved in these cases.

In addition to handling initial child support determinations, we can advise you on escalating clauses and other add-on provisos that reflect rising future medical, health care and day care costs. We also handle child support modifications involving changes in income or fluctuating financial needs, and we help with enforcement issues.

We know emotions can quickly escalate when financial concerns are on the line. Applying decades of experience handling complex family law issues, our lawyers will work hard to make sure your financial situation — and the children’s financial needs — are fully accounted for.

Facing Stressful Child Support Issues?

You don’t need to sort through complex legal questions on your own. Call our office at 315-235-1012 or send us an email to start getting answers. The initial consultation won’t cost you anything.