There are many factors that are taken into consideration when determining child support in New York. First and foremost, it is important to understand that the goal of the courts is to assure that every step is taken in protecting the well-being of the child or children involved in the divorce. This is the court's primary and most important focus.
It is also important to recognize that child support payments extend beyond the traditionally assumed costs of food and shelter for a child. In addition to food and shelter, the courts want to make certain that the child or children were not too negatively affected by the divorce, and therefore make allowances so that the child support payments can include other costs associated with raising a child.
These other costs may include things such as a child's education, as well as extracurricular costs at school such as music lessons, musical instruments, sports equipment and sport league fees, art supplies and art lessons and field trip fees. In addition, child support money may go towards daycare for the child while the custodial parent is at work and even things such as entertainment costs like movie tickets, vacations, toys, video games and basically anything that would traditionally be a cost in a traditional marriage.
If you are struggling with your spouse to collect child support payments, you may need the courts to intervene. The courts may be able to make an adjustment with the current ruling, or may apply sanctions in an effort to get the spouse to pay.
Source: findlaw.com, "What Does Child Support Cover?", Jan. 3, 2017
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