A Long Island Child Support Attorney You Can Trust

Helping Families With Child Support Issues Across New York for Over 30 Years

If you're looking for a child support attorney in Long Island, New York, you may also be going through a divorce or a paternity case. These matters can not only have a profound impact on your family structure but your children and your finances are also impacted.

You deserve experienced legal guidance from a professional who understands the law and can help you make sound decisions based on your specific circumstances. Family lawyer Michael Rubenfeld in Long Island, NY, has more than two decades of family law experience protecting your rights.

Starting with your initial child support case review, we will take the time to understand the unique nuances of your child support case, enabling us to craft a personalized legal strategy. Don’t hesitate to discover what proven experience and dedication can accomplish for you.

Are you facing a child support issue in New York? Our Long Island child support lawyer is ready to represent you. Call Rubenfeld Law Firm today at (631) 777-7200 or contact us online to get started!

How Is Child Support Determined in New York?

Child support in Long Island, is decided by state guidelines described under the Child Support Standards Act, which states that child support payments are calculated as a percentage of the adjusted gross income of the non-custodial parent. New York law also seeks to protect the best interests of the child or children in question.

This is why the NY law also states that both parents are required to share in their child's financial support to ensure that the child is given an appropriate standard of living, as equivalent as possible to the standards they were accustomed to before the divorce or separation.

The appropriate standard of living is based on the combined income of both parents, which includes, but is not limited to:

• Wages or salaries
• Workers' compensation awards
• Social Security income
• Disability benefits
• Unemployment benefits
• Veterans' benefits

The New York court will look at the number of children you share with your former spouse or partner. After adding the incomes of both parents, the court in Long Island, New York, will multiply this number by a percentage based on the number of children to come up with a fundamental obligation for both parents. Currently, this is 17% for one child, up to no less than 35% for five or more children.

In addition to the basic obligation, the Long Island courthouse will consider other mitigating factors, such as:

• The child’s standard of living pre-divorce
• Any physical or emotional special needs of the child
• Tax consequences to both spouses
• The non-financial contributions each parent provides to the child
• The educational and job training needs of either parent
• Whether one parent makes substantially more than the other

Start Your Legal Journey For Child Support Today

The Child Support Lawyers at Rubenfeld Law Firm have helped clients throughout Long Island, New York, with a wide range of family law, divorce, and child support issues, delivering ethical and responsive advocacy for more than 30 years.

Whether you need to request child support payments, counter a child support request, or modify your child support order, our child support attorney is well-equipped to safeguard your rights.

Contact Rubenfeld Law Firm today to schedule a consultation with one of our Long Island child support attorneys!