Under New York state law, all parents have a legal obligation to offer basic financial support for their children. To help provide clarity on parental obligations, New York has adopted standardized child support guidelines. These guidelines govern how much support should be awarded in any given case.
Both custodial and non-custodial parents need to ensure that their rights are protected. If you are a parent in New York who is involved in a child support dispute, you should seek professional assistance. At The Colwell Law Group, LLC, our Montgomery County child support lawyers have the skills and experience needed to provide you with the high-quality legal representation that you deserve.
Understanding the New York Child Support Guidelines
New York’s child support guidelines (Child Support Standard) are used as the starting point in the vast majority of child support disputes. While there are exceptions in which this standard can be deviated from, Montgomery County family law courts work with the basic presumption that the state’s child support guidelines are appropriate for most cases. The most important thing you need to know about these guidelines is that they use gross income as the basis in determining how much should be awarded. Specifically, the standard is as follows:
- One child: 17 percent of gross income;
- Two children: 25 percent of gross income;
- Three children: 29 percent of gross income;
- Four children: 31 percent of gross income; and
- Five or more children: At least 35 percent of gross income.
Of course, determining a person’s gross income can sometimes be challenging. Additionally, if a child has an especially acute need for support, either because of health needs or a disability, additional child support may be awarded to the custodial parent. While the child support guidelines provide a basis, it is important to remember that New York parents have a legal duty to provide sufficient support for the specific needs of their own children.
Child Support Cases We Handle in Montgomery County, NY
Our dedicated New York child support lawyers offer a full range of legal services to parents across Montgomery County. No matter the specific circumstances of your case, we have the skills required to protect your parental rights. Our family law attorneys have deep experience handling a wide array of child support cases. Some of the most notable examples include:
- Disputes over the validity of an initial child support order;
- Claims that require establishing paternity under New York law;
- Actions for the collection of overdue child support payments;
- Claims for retroactive child support;
- Requests for child support award modifications; and
- Legal actions to extend child support past a child’s 18th birthday.
Contact Our Montgomery County Child Support Attorneys Today
At The Colwell Law Group, LLC, our top-rated New York child support lawyers are standing by, ready to hear your case. To schedule a fully confidential legal consultation, please contact our family law firm today. We represent parents throughout Montgomery County, including in Palatine, Fort Plain, Amsterdam, St. Johnsville, Hagaman, and Charleston.