Child Support Lawyer in Westchester County

Get Experienced Legal Help for Your Child Support Needs

In New York, child support is calculated using a predetermined percentage. A lawyer plays a critical role in helping you reach a child support amount that is best for both you and your child.

Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law has more than 90 years of combined experience in divorce and family law, including New York child support laws. We know how percentages are calculated and what’s considered when awarding support, and we know how to protect the rights and best interests of you and your child throughout the process.

Call (914) 873-4410 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

Our Role as Attorneys in Your Child Support Case

• Initial consultation and case assessment to gather key information that could affect your support amount, including income, custody arrangements, and financial needs.
• Gathering and analyzing financial information, e.g., pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, to assess both parents’ financial situations when calculating an appropriate child support amount.
• Preparing and filing legal documents + responding to legal filings from the opposing party.
• Negotiation and mediation with the other parent’s attorney to negotiate a fair child support agreement. This involves representing you in mediation sessions to resolve disputes outside of court when possible.
• Court representation as needed to address issues like deviations from standard child support guidelines or enforcement of existing orders.
• Modifying child support orders due to changes in income, custody, or other circumstances. Or, enforcing child support orders if the other parent fails to comply.
• Advising on related legal matters, like how child support interacts with custody, visitation, and spousal support to ensure compliance with New York’s Child Support Standards Act (CSSA).

Ensuring the Best Interests of Your Children & Your Finances

Child support amounts vary depending upon the jurisdiction, as well as the details of each particular case. Generally speaking, the court will use a predetermined percentage in order to calculate the amount of child support to be paid by the non-custodial parent. While there are often set percentages for cases involving a combined parental income of below $136,000, percentages may also apply in cases involving higher income.

Combined parental income is determined by taking the parents' income from their most recent income tax return and then deducting certain required items, including social security and New York City tax, if applicable. In general, the child support percentage then calculated will vary depending upon the number of children, as well as the jurisdiction.

How to Modify Child Support in New York

What happens if circumstances change and you can no longer afford to pay child support? What if you believe that your child should be receiving more support from the paying parent? In these situations, you may qualify to have your child support order modified by a family law judge.

Modifications can only be made if the petitioning party can prove that there has been a "substantial change in circumstances." Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Loss of employment for either parent
• A significant reduction of income for either parent
• Illness or disability of the paying parent
• A change in the child's medical needs
• A change in the child's place of residence (that affects support)

Child support orders will only be modified if the family law judge agrees that the change is in the child or children's best interests. Make sure you have a skilled lawyer on your side if you need to have your support order modified.

Your Trusted Child Support Attorney in Westchester, NY

With our extensive legal experience and our familiarity with Westchester County child custody matters in particular, Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law is more than qualified to help you with your legal matter. Our Westchester County child support lawyers understand just how important this matter is to you and to your children. As a result, we will fight to assert your rights every step of the way.

Do you need legal assistance with a child support matter? Call a Westchester County child support attorney today at (914) 873-4410 or submit a form here.