Estimate Your New York Child Support in Minutes
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New York Child Support Calculator
Estimate based on New York Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) guideline percentages (educational only).
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Results may differ based on judicial findings, statutory income definitions, add-on handling, and custody determinations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Child Support in New York
Discover what you need to know about Child Support Laws in New York.
New York calculates child support under the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA).
New York primarily uses a percentage of income model applied to the parents’ combined income (up to a statutory cap), with the obligation then divided proportionally based on each parent’s income.
The calculation generally considers:
Both parents’ gross incomes
The number of children
A statutory percentage formula
A combined parental income cap (adjusted periodically)
Health insurance premiums for the child
Work-related childcare expenses
Unreimbursed medical expenses
Educational expenses (when applicable)
Court-approved deviations
Under the CSSA, the statutory percentages are:
1 child: 17%
2 children: 25%
3 children: 29%
4 children: 31%
5 or more children: 35%
These percentages are applied to combined parental income up to the statutory cap. Courts may apply the percentage above the cap at their discretion.
For an estimate tailored to your situation, you can use the Deliberately.ai child support calculator above—but only a court order is legally binding.
Child support in New York is commonly influenced by:
Each parent’s gross income
The number of children
The statutory income cap
Parenting time (while NY does not reduce support automatically for shared custody, it may affect deviations)
Health insurance costs for the child
Work-related childcare expenses
Educational or special needs expenses
Court-approved deviations
Self-employment income and variable earnings often require detailed documentation.
There is no universal amount.
The final figure depends on:
Combined parental income
The applicable CSSA percentage
Income above the statutory cap
Add-on expenses (childcare, medical, education)
Any approved deviation
For a reliable estimate before filing or negotiating, use the Deliberately.ai child support calculator above—keeping in mind the court has final authority.
In New York, child support generally continues until the child turns 21 years old, unless the child becomes legally emancipated earlier.
Emancipation may occur if the child:
Marries
Joins the military
Becomes financially independent
Is no longer under parental control
Always review your specific court order for termination terms.
Not necessarily.
Wage withholding may continue unless formally terminated.
Any arrears remain owed even after the obligation ends.
You must confirm termination procedures through the court or support collection unit.
Yes.
A child support order may be modified when:
There is a substantial change in circumstances
Either parent’s income changes by 15% or more
Three years have passed since the order was entered or modified
Modifications generally apply prospectively from the filing date.
Timeframes depend on:
Whether the case is contested
Court scheduling
Whether financial information is disputed
Uncontested cases may resolve more quickly.
Basic child support is intended to cover:
Housing
Food
Clothing
Transportation
Ordinary living expenses
Separate add-ons may include:
Health insurance premiums
Uninsured medical expenses
Work-related childcare
Educational expenses
It can—but only if:
The cost is included in the court calculation, and
The order reflects the allocation
Paying expenses outside the order does not automatically reduce support.
New York generally considers gross income, including:
Wages and salary
Bonuses and commissions
Overtime (when consistent)
Self-employment income
Investment and rental income
Workers’ compensation or disability benefits
Certain deductions are allowed under the statute.
If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, income may be imputed based on earning capacity.
Nonpayment may result in enforcement actions such as:
Wage garnishment
Tax refund intercept
Bank account restraint
Driver’s license suspension
Passport denial
Property liens
Contempt proceedings
Arrears accumulate until paid in full.
Arrears generally:
Remain owed until fully paid
May accrue statutory interest
Can be collected through enforcement tools
Do not disappear when the child turns 21
Yes.
Income execution (wage garnishment) is common, and the Support Collection Unit may use additional enforcement methods.
Not automatically.
New York does not reduce support simply because parenting time is shared. Courts may deviate from the guideline if strict application would be unjust or inappropriate.
Possibly.
If a child has a significant disability, courts may consider continued financial support under certain circumstances.
These cases can be legally complex and often require court involvement.
Parents generally cannot privately override a court order.
Any agreement must be approved by the court to be legally enforceable.
A lawyer is not required for straightforward cases, but it is strongly recommended when:
Income is disputed
Self-employment is involved
Arrears exist
A deviation is requested
Custody or emancipation issues are contested
You will typically need:
Recent pay stubs
Federal and state tax returns
Proof of health insurance costs
Childcare documentation
Existing court orders
Incomplete documentation can delay proceedings.
Child support cases are handled through New York Family Court or Supreme Court, and enforced through the New York Support Collection Unit (SCU).
If income or custody issues are likely to be contested, consulting a New York family law attorney before filing can help avoid delays and mistakes.
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How Long Does a Child Support Modification Take in Louisiana?
Michigan calculates child support using the Michigan Child Support Formula (MCSF), which Michigan courts are required to use when setting or changing child support.
Michigan’s approach is based on an income-shares model, meaning the formula estimates what parents would have contributed toward the child if they lived together, then allocates responsibility between parents.
The calculation is based on:
Both parents’ incomes (used to determine each parent’s support share)
Number of children
A statewide support schedule/formula inputs (per MCSF)
Parenting time / overnights (Michigan applies a parental time offset when overnights can be determined)
Medical support (health insurance and ordinary medical considerations)
Work-related childcare expenses
Other adjustments and court-approved deviations under the MCSF
For an estimate tailored to your situation, you can use the Deliberately.ai child support calculator above—but only a court order is legally binding.