What are the most common issues regarding child support?

Parents in New York who are no longer together often face child support issues. Some of these might arise for a variety of reasons. These are some of the most common ones that might come up.

When do child support payments end?

There may be resentment on the part of the parent paying child support. This could be due to conflicts and resentment between the parents. However, children have a right to be supported during their formative years and it’s the obligation of the parent to pay. The non-custodial parent must pay expenses to help cover the child’s needs. In most cases, payments end when the child turns 18. Sometimes, it might not end until the child reaches their 21st birthday.

How much has to be paid toward child support?

Every state has a formula for determining the amount of money paid toward child support. It depends on income and how many children there are who need support. Family court orders require monthly expenses to be paid but might also require the non-custodial parent to pay for additional expenses such as insurance, education and child care.

Can child support payments be changed?

In most cases, when a parent requests child support orders payments to be modified, it’s the non-custodial parent asking to pay a lower amount. This must be approved by a judge and is only possible if the parent can show that they have a valid reason for lowering payments. For example, if the individual has lost their job, they might not be able to pay the same amount as while they were employed.

Parents who need to lower payments should discuss the situation with their ex and try to negotiate an agreement. Going through the court for child support modification can take a long time and can be expensive.