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New York Child Support Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for New York on
Q: Is there a time limit for NY magistrates to make a decision on motions ? (Motion to Vacate Default Child support Order)

At the hearing, magistrate reserved the case for decision, then nothing happened for almost 2 months now. I call the court every week and there is nothing released.

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 3, 2023

Article 22 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) in §2219 requires a court to enter an order on motion on or before sixty days after submission of the motion. "Submission" means the motion, opposition, and any reply are filed, and the court says the motion is "submitted."... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for New York on
Q: I have a child that is twenty with a child of his own and one that doesn’t go to school and is constantly smoking

And drinking. Do I have to keep paying support even though he has a kid of his own?

Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Howard E. Knispel
answered on Jun 3, 2023

If your child is living away from the recipient of the support or os self supporting or being supported by someone other than the custodial parent you can file to declare the child emancipated. You should speak to an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for New York on
Q: In a 50/50 shared custody agreement . Who pays child support?

I currently have joint custody. Child resides with me. We are modifying our order to 50/50 residential custody. Child lives with both alternate weeks. Will I still be entitled to Child support? He us the higher earning parent.

Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Howard E. Knispel
answered on Jun 2, 2023

In a shared custody arrangement, the higher earning parent pay child support. You should speak to your attorney who is handling the custody modification.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Divorce, Domestic Violence and Family Law for New York on
Q: What is the harshest punishment someone can get in NYS for willful non payment of child support?

If someone has already gone to jail for 90 days for willful non payment of child support and contempt what will their punishment be the next time? And can the judge order anything else if their willful non payment caused their ex wife and children to be homeless?

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 22, 2023

It is extremely difficult to make heads or tails of a totally absurd system of justice: the incarceration of young fathers for non-payment of child support especially at a time when the administration in the White House is wrecking the economy.

Without getting into the utterly incompetent...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for New York on
Q: In N. Y. S. Family Court system is there a higher court that can change a child support order that is based on IMPUTED

Income used to calculate a unjust obligated amount I'm being charged 300$ a month when my income level is below the self support reserve

Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Howard E. Knispel
answered on May 12, 2023

If the support magistrate applied the law incorrectly then an objection can be filed which sends the order to a judge. Rarely do they review factual issues. After that an appeal to an appellate court can be filed. There is a limited time to file an objection. Contact a lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Divorce for New York on
Q: If I pay child support by mutual agreement not through court. Does that money count towards mortgage etc

Is she entitled to credit for mortgage/tax payments that she made for the 4 years I moved out if I’m paying monthly child support.

Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Howard E. Knispel
answered on Apr 12, 2023

Child Support and mortgage payments are not related unless a court order specifically says so.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for New York on
Q: I have been paying arrears for the last 5 yrs I recently got a satisfied judgement for those arrears on that same case..

But yet child support still take out of my SS and my arrears seen to increase...from the original amount...of 24,000$ to high as 35,000$ I would've payed if it continues

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 3, 2023

We here have no idea what the question is. If the question has to do with ever growing arrearages despite payment, the asker should visit his local support enforcement office. Perhaps the asker's account was mixed up with someone else's. We don't know.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for New York on
Q: Under what circumstances in New York can one file for a modification of child support?

Original Child Support Order was put into place 6 years ago. The Child Support has never been modified. In 2021 there was a MOD in the way the CHILD CARE (completely separate from Child support) was to be paid. Went from a personal check to Zelle. The amount wasn't even changed. Fast forward... View More

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Mar 23, 2023

The law is 3 years OR 15%, not both. If there is a 15% increase in the non custodial parent's income, then you are entitled to an increase. Also, it depends on the wording of the last order. If the Magistrate recalculated the child support , then that is the starting date. But if the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for New York on
Q: In new york can a judge order any amony they please for child support or must they follow the formula
Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Howard E. Knispel
answered on Mar 21, 2023

Child support is based on a statutory formula up to the threshold. Beyond the threshold the amount is discretionary.

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Child Support and Family Law for New York on
Q: When do judges actually put people in jail for not paying child support?

I've been supporting my child and paying far more than my support obligation. But I haven't been paying it through the state as required in the order because my ex-wife won't pay for anything. So I pay for school, camps, sports, all of that. Now I have an arrearage and my ex wants me... View More

Lawrence Allen Weinreich
Lawrence Allen Weinreich
answered on Mar 7, 2023

Unfortunately, the answer is yes you can be put in jail. You failed to follow the order and thus you disobeyed the court. There is law that says since you didn't pay per the order, anything you did pay was a gift. I strongly urge you to get an attorney to represent you on this matter.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for New York on
Q: If the father of my kids agrees to signing his rights over fully. Would the child support continue or stop? I

I don’t need the child support. He has other kids to take care of. If he signs his rights over would the payments stop or will New York continue to take the payments?

Lawrence Allen Weinreich
Lawrence Allen Weinreich
answered on Feb 28, 2023

(This is for NY) First of all, you should know he cannot sign over his "rights". The only way for his rights to be terminated is a Neglect petition being filed by DSS or he consents to an adoption. Until his rights are terminated, he has to pay child support. The only way to stop... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for New York on
Q: My son 21 had a Stem Cell Transplant for AML Leukemia was diagnosed at 18. Can he receive extended CS under new law.

Support stopped on his bday the day before being admitted to Memorial Sloan Kettering.

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 16, 2023

There is a sweeping change to New York's child support law, but it applies to mental disabilities and only extends the age out to twenty six (26).

The new law amends the domestic relations law and the family court act to allow custodial parents or caregivers of children with...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for New York on
Q: My son grandmother is taking me to court for arrears. It has been in arrears for around 15 years. And he just turned 33.

Do I have to pay her?

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 13, 2023

Assuming there was an order of support payable to the grandmother, then yes, arrears are due that grandmother no matter the age of the subject child. There is a twenty year statute of limitations for collections of arrears, so a fifteen year obligation is still due and owing.

If there was...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for New York on
Q: How do I get full custody of my son and child support from my ex-boyfriend?

My ex-boyfriend has an alcohol issue. He also is living in a hotel where he is surrounded by drugs and alcohol. The last time I talked to him he did not have a job. I am concerned that he will want to take our son to this unsafe environment.

Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Howard E. Knispel
answered on Feb 6, 2023

You need to file petitions in the Family Court. Child Support and Custody are two different matters and, even though they are in the same courthouse they are handled separetly. You need to file a separate petition for each.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: My has been paying the mortgage since we got divorced. He then stopped paying child support. He says he has a right

He says he can do this because the mortgage is more than the child support. We have an agreement and no where in it did I agree to that. This has been over 5 years. He’s a corporate lawyer and believes he’s right. I just want to know if he is.

Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Howard E. Knispel
answered on Feb 1, 2023

Child support is not interchangeable with any other payments. If he is court ordered to pay the child support than he must continue to do so or be held in violation, or even contempt. Whether he pays the mortgage is a separate issue. If he is court ordered in the divorce to pay the mortgage as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for New York on
Q: In New York, how often and under what circumstances can a child support be modified?

I have a child support order which was put into place in 2017 and I've never had the child support modified, but we had a modification in 2021 for the child care (day care, after care, camp) portion of it (not the amount, just how it is to be paid) Magistrate says that is still considered a... View More

David Ivan Bliven
David Ivan Bliven
answered on Jan 27, 2023

The statute (FCA 451(3)(b)) simply states child support is modifiable - among other reasons - once every 3 years from when the order was "entered, last modified or adjusted." Implicitly, this means any aspect of the order. This doesn't mean the order from 2021 cannot be adjusted in... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Support for New York on
Q: In New York, how often and under what circumstances can you modify a child support order?

I have a child support order which was put into place in 2017 and I've never had the child support modified, but we had a modification in 2021 for the child care (day care, after care, camp) portion of it (not the amount, just how it is to be paid) Magistrate says that is still considered a... View More

Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Howard E. Knispel
answered on Jan 27, 2023

Not sure what the question really is. There is no limit on how often a support order can be modified. A child support order may be modified every 3 years or upon a change in the non-custodial parent's income of 15%. Any change to the original order is considered a modification.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for New York on
Q: can a child over the age of 18 receive direct child support payments in new york?

The mother believes the child support money is hers and refuses to give the money to the child to have. The child is 18 years old and is attending college. The child has no job and goes to college outside of the state the child support is issued in. The mother either wants the money or wants to end... View More

David Ivan Bliven
David Ivan Bliven
answered on Jan 25, 2023

The answer is yes - so long as the child is no longer residing with the mother. A Child may self-petition for child support pursuant to Family Court Act 422. For a full assessment, schedule a consult with a Bronx Child Support Attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for New York on
Q: I’m considering dating a single mother that’s serious about commitment. What can I do to protect from paternal estoppel?

How common is this occurrence and what length of time, in regards to providing and/or a cohabiting living situation, would make this applicable.

Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Howard E. Knispel
answered on Dec 26, 2022

In my 34 years specializing in family law in NY I have never heard the term parental estoppel. However, if you are referring to a non biological parent being held out as the parent of a child for support purposes. NY has case law in which non biological "parents" have been held... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for New York on
Q: I pay child support to my ex-wife for three children. Our oldest child is 19. She wants him to pay rent. Is that legal?
Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Dec 25, 2022

By trying to have your child pay rent while receiving support payments, she may be misrepresenting her needs to the court. Family Court Act Section 413 (The Child Support Standards Act) provides that the non-custodial parent must pay the "basic child support obligation" in a percentage of... View More

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