Experienced Staten Island Child Support Lawyer

Dedicated Representation in New York Divorces

One of the most difficult subjects in any divorce is how your children will be handled, especially when it comes to child support payments. At The Law Office of Keith M. Casella, P.C., I are prepared to provide you with representation and guidance, whether you are the noncustodial parent or custodial parent. If you are trying to determine child support in a divorce, you should consider meeting with a Staten Island divorce attorney from my firm.

How Much Will I Pay/Receive in Child Support?

Much like spousal maintenance, the amount of child support you may receive or will be required to pay is dependent upon your annual salary. Additionally, in some cases there are other factors that are taken into consideration.

A few of the factors a judge may consider include:

• Any special needs of your children
• Physical and emotional needs of your children
• The income and resources of each spouse
• The standard of living your children are used to

Understanding Child Support Guidelines in NY

There are specific guidelines in the state of New York that are used by courts to determine the amount of child support which will be required. The guidelines that mandate how much one parent will be required to pay to the other is based on the adjusted gross income (gross income less FICA, New York City taxes and Medicare withholdings) and how many children are involved. My priority is to keep your child's best interest in mind and ensure that you receive the fair amount to support your children.

Child support is meant to help custodial parents financially support their children after a divorce. The amount you may be entitled to depends on a number of factors, including the healthcare, schooling, and the everyday or special needs of your child or children. Your income and financial resources and the standard of living that your children are accustomed to will also be taken into account.

New York has statutory guidelines based on the combined parental income. For one child, this is 17% of the adjusted gross income; 25% for two children; 29% for three children; 31% for four children; and no less than 35% of the total income for five or more children.

If you are in need of legal assistance, I, a trusted Staten Island child support attorney, can provide you with representation. I want to help you reach a resolution in the least stressful manner possible, especially if litigation can be avoided.

Call The Law Office of Keith M. Casella, P.C. today at (718) 557-9137 to set up a free case evaluation.