When getting a divorce, you will be confronted with various challenges that can make the divorce process feel incredibly overwhelming. Some of those challenges include determining critical issues such as the division of assets, spousal support, child custody, and child support. In light of this, many people wonder how child support is determined during the divorce process. Further, they wonder how long they will be required to pay this type of court-ordered payment. Continue to follow along to learn how long non-custodial parents have to pay child support in New York and discover how a seasoned Rockland County Child Support Attorney can help you.
How is this type of court-ordered payment determined in New York?
Firstly, child support is an ongoing payment usually made by a non-custodial parent to the custodial parent to provide financial support for the child’s basic needs. In New York, child support is calculated from a percentage of both parents’ combined incomes based on the number of children in the household. With that being said, child support is determined by the New York State Child Support Standards Act (CSSA). This Act sets the basic child support amount at a fixed percentage of the parent’s income. These percentages are used to ensure that children have the opportunity to benefit from the same standard of living as they would have if their parents were still married. Essentially, the Act aims to impose legal obligations on parents to support their children until they are emancipated.
Is child support terminated at a certain age?
Moreover, as mentioned above, many parents wonder how long they will be required to pay child support. In New York, a child support obligation usually does not end until the child is 21 years old or is emancipated. However, this depends on the specific circumstances of your situation. In some cases, the court may order a parent to pay child support until their child has graduated from college. Nevertheless, if a parent feels they should no longer have to pay this type of court-ordered financial support they can submit a formal request to the court. The court will then evaluate all of the facts to determine whether the child is financially independent. If it is determined they are financially independent and no longer in need of financial support, the court may grant a parent’s request to terminate the child support obligation. However, if they are still financially dependent, the court will still legally require a parent to pay this type of court-ordered periodic payment.
For more information on how New York handles child support orders, contact a skilled Rockland County child support attorney. Our firm is committed to helping our clients understand their child support obligations after a divorce.
