New York City Child Support Lawyer Richard Shum Explains the Important Things Divorcing Parents Should Know

New York City child support lawyer Richard Shum (https://www.romanshum.com/blog/new-york-child-support-what-every-divorcing-parent-needs-to-know/) releases a new article explaining the important things divorcing parents should know in New York. The lawyer explains that all parents are obliged to provide for their children’s basic needs. These needs include food, clothing, shelter, and education. If parents divorce, they are expected to continue to honor their obligation through child support.

According to the New York City child support lawyer, “New York’s Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) uses a formula to calculate each parent’s financial obligation to support the children. It applies to combined income above the poverty line and up to $143,000. Using the formula, each parent’s share of the combined gross household income is assigned a percentage, and that percentage is used to determine who pays how much. The calculation takes into account employment income, government benefits such as disability, rental income, and even cash gifts and lottery winnings.”

The lawyer mentions that the law states that the basic child support amount should be set at a fixed percentage of the combined parental income. For one child, the amount should be 17% of both parents’ combined income. For two children, 25% of the income, 29% for three children, 31% for four children, and at least 35% for five or more children.

Attorney Richard Shum adds that for higher-income parents who exceed the $143,000 threshold, the court may use the percentages established by the CSSA, which often results in a larger percentage of the income being dedicated to child support. The court may also consider other factors such as the financial means of the parents and the additional needs of the child when determining the child support order.

In the article, attorney Shum says, “If you’re convinced that your ex makes a lot more money than he or she is reporting, the court can investigate further. A judge has the authority to impute income to parents who are unemployed or appear to be reporting less money than they are actually making. Income imputation is commonly used when a parent appears to be remaining underemployed or even unemployed to avoid paying child support.”

Lastly, the divorce lawyer emphasizes that having a child support lawyer can help the couple ensure they have all the legal support they need when it comes to determining the best child support order for their family. A skilled attorney can help the couple draft their agreements and make sure that the agreement is legally enforceable.

About the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum

Divorce attorney Richard Roman Shum has been helping families deal with custodial, marital, and financial battles. Attorney Shum understands the life-changing struggle a family may face when they are going through a legal battle. He will provide clear strategies on behalf of his clients so that they can focus on more important matters. Contact the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum to schedule a consultation.