After a divorce where the married couple has children, it’s essential for them to determine how each will contribute to their children’s care. Some parents are required to pay child support to the other parent in certain circumstances. If you’re in the divorce process, you might be wondering how child support will be determined. To find out, continue reading or contact a Child Support Attorney in Bohemia, NY today!
HOW IS CHILD SUPPORT DETERMINED FOR NEW YORK PARENTS?
New York courts aim to make equitable child support decisions, so the New York State Child Support Standards Act calculates a fair amount of child support by taking a large number of circumstances into account. First, the courts determine the parents’ gross income, based on what is reported on both parents’ most recent federal tax returns. Then, a percentage of the gross income is taken based on the number of children and is distributed based on the parents’ individual incomes. The courts calculate how much each parent owes by comparing their individual incomes to their gross income. The parent who has a higher income is generally expected to pay more in child support than the other parent.
HOW DOES CHILD SUPPORT WORK FOR HIGH-INCOME COUPLES?
For high-income cases, the amount of child support depends on each child’s needs and standard of living. A wealthier parent might need to pay more child support than their co-parent if they have a higher income, but there are also limits in place for child support amounts. A wealthy parent might choose to provide more money to their child if they want to, but they will have a maximum designated amount that they are required to pay.
There have been cases of high-net-worth co-parents who request support that may seem unnecessary and extravagant for some people. For example, supermodel Linda Evangelista requested $46,000 of child support for 24/7 nanny services and personal drivers for her child with businessman François-Henri Pinault. Evangelista inevitably was able to receive the support she requested because Pinault had a higher income than her and the request matched the child’s standard of living. While not everyone thinks nanny services and personal drivers are necessary, they were necessary for Evangelista’s lifestyle and allowed her to maintain her career while also caring for her child.
Are you a parent looking to learn more information about child support laws in New York? The Law Office of Susan A. Kassel, P.C. is here for quality legal counseling! Contact us today for an initial consultation with a compassionate and talented family law attorney.
