One of the most important details to iron out while processing a divorce is child support. According to CBS, there are around $10 billion of unpaid child support payments across the country. In their report, CBS also stated that only around 50 percent of separated couples who have children have custodial orders detailing who will be responsible for making child support payments.

1. New York Child Support
Highlights
The Law Offices of Ian S. Mednick, P.C.

2. One of the most important details to iron out while processing a divorce is child support. According
to CBS, there are around $10 billion of unpaid child support payments across the country. In their
report, CBS also stated that only around 50 percent of separated couples who have children have
custodial orders detailing who will be responsible for making child support payments.
In the state of New York, $1,718,403,812 worth of child support payments have been made in
2018 alone.
Since child support can be costly and finalizing its details during a divorce can be difficult, learning
more about it is essential.
What is child support?
Child support payments are made by a parent who lives less than half of the time with a child
commonly after separation. It covers general expenses and health care. Child support is paid to
the parent or person who lives with the child more than half of the time.

3. How is child support petitioned?
A parent or custodian can file a petition in Family court or request it in Supreme Court during a
divorce case. Parents can then reach an agreement on the terms of child support. The court will
have a trial if no agreement has been reached.
Both parents are entitled to legal representation for child support petitions in Family Court.
How much are child support payments?
The court bases its decision on guidelines, of which the parents are entitled to get a copy. The
guidelines will lead the court to determine the income of the parents minus other child support
being paid and a few types of taxes. The court then multiplies the combined incomes by these
percentages:
- 17 percent for one child
- 25 percent for two children
- 29 percent for three children
- 31 percent for four children
- 35 percent for five or more children

4. After dividing the amount based on the income of each parent, the court decides whether the
amount payable by the non-custodial parent is fair based on several factors.
How is child support paid?
The non-custodial parent may pay directly to the custodial parent. Payments can also be made
through the Child Support Enforcement Unit. In New York, Income-Withholding, or directly
deducting out of a paycheck, accounts for over 70 percent of child support payments.
SOURCES:
https://www.divorceattorneyinlongisland.com/
https://www.ny.gov/services/pay-child-support
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/10-billion-in-child-support-payments-going-uncollected-
according-to-estimates/
http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/state-data-on-child-support-collections.aspx