If you are divorcing with children, child custody and support can become contentious issues, as both parties aim to maximize their parenting time and ensure their financial security. Depending on the unique circumstances of your case, once child custody is determined, the court may require the non-custodial parent to provide financial support for their children’s basic necessities through child support payments. Whether you have to pay or are entitled to receive child support, it’s important to understand how custody arrangements and parenting time can impact the court’s decision on the amount of child support awarded. Please continue reading to learn how custodial time impacts child support amounts in New York and why connecting with a determined Nassau County Child Support Lawyer is in your best interest.
How is Child Support Determined?
Firstly, it’s essential to understand that parents in New York are legally obligated to support their children until the age of emancipation financially. If parents cannot agree on child support, the court will decide the level of support based on a formula that primarily considers both parent’s income. Essentially, the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) sets the basic child support amount by considering the income of both parents, the number of children involved, and the proportion of time each spends with the children, among other factors. The essential child support obligations are intended to cover the child’s basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, and other general expenses associated with their upbringing. This includes activities that enrich the child’s life, like music lessons, sports activities, and other crucial formative experiences. However, keep in mind that depending on the unique circumstances of your case, the court may deviate from the standard calculation.
What is the Link Between Custody Arrangments and Child Support Amounts?
As previously mentioned, the CSSA sets the basic child support amount by considering several factors, including the time each parent spends with their children. Generally, the custodial parent will be afforded more time with the children as they are in their care for a more significant portion of the time. As such, they often incur more expenses to cover the child’s basic needs. The courts recognize this, and to ensure that parents contribute proportionally to these expenses, they will adjust child support amounts to reflect this. Typically, non-custodial parents are obligated to contribute more to cover their share of their children’s expenses.
If you are going through the divorce process and have concerns regarding child support obligations, please don’t hesitate to contact an experienced lawyer from the Law Offices of Eyal Talassazan, P.C., who can fight for you and your children during these complex matters. Contact our dedicated legal team today to learn how we can assist you.
