Child Support

Resolving Child Support Issues for Divorced and Unmarried Parents

“I am here to help you figure this out and get what your child deserves so you can have peace of mind knowing your child’s financial wellbeing is at the heart of the negotiation.”Lisa Zeiderman

Child support is a financial responsibility and each parent is responsible for the financial wellbeing of their children. New York child support laws are designed to provide a level of certainty and stability for children of divorce by removing any guesswork involved in determining who is responsible for a child’s wellbeing.

The goal is to provide children with the same standard of living they would have if their parents were together, and the final amount of child support owed is determined with that goal in mind. 

How is Child Support Determined?

Child support payments are based on a parents’ adjusted gross income, the number of children they are paying child support for, as well as their status as the non-custodial parent. 

According to the New York Division of Child Support Enforcement, the percentage of a parents’ adjusted gross income used in determining orders for child support payments are: 
  • 17% for one child
  • 25% for two children
  • 29% for three children
  • 31% for four children
  • 35% or more for five or more children

The income used to determine child support payments is capped. For example, someone with five or more children who makes over $2,000,000 annually would not pay 35% of $2,000,000 in child support.

In addition to these standard percentages, the non-custodial parent may be responsible for paying additional childcare, extracurricular activities, camp, education, and medical expenses and medical insurance premiums. All sources of income – including Social Security payments, workers’ compensation payments, and disability payments – are taken into consideration when calculating child support payments. The court can also impute income to a parent based upon educational background and employment history. 

Contact Lisa Zeiderman Today

Lisa has the experience as well as the legal and financial skills to make sure your child has the financial support they need to maintain their quality of life. Call 914-488-2402 to schedule a consultation with attorney Lisa Zeiderman at her New York City or White Plains office.

Let's Work Together