Child support is financial support provided by the non-custodial parent. Child support includes
Cash payments (based on the parent's income and the needs of the child)
Health insurance for the child (medical support)
Payments for child care, and
Payments for reasonable health care costs that are not covered by health insurance.
Family Court officials (Support Magistrates) determine the amount of child support the non-custodial parent will pay (see how much, below). Under New York State law, parents are responsible for supporting their child until the child is 21 years old.
What is the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program?
Every state in the United States has a child support enforcement (CSE) program, and many foreign countries have one also. The CSE program began in 1975, when Congress passed Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. Title IV-D required every state to
Establish and maintain statewide child support enforcement laws
Provide procedures to establish paternity and to obtain court orders for child support
Collect and distribute child support payments, and
Enforce child support orders when payments are not made.
In New York State, child support enforcement services are provided by Child Support Enforcement Units (CSEU) and Support Collection Units (SCU) in every county and in New York City.
Any parent, guardian, or caretaker of a child who needs support can apply for child support services.
Also, anyone who applies for temporary or safety net assistance automatically receives child support services. Note: If seeking child support may result in physical or emotional harm to the custodial parent or the child, the custodial parent will be referred to a domestic violence liaison and may not be required to cooperate with the child support agency.
CSE offers the following services, free of charge:
Locating Non-Custodial Parents
CSE can use federal, state, and local resources and information to help locate the non-custodial parent.
Paternity Establishment
When a child is born to unmarried parents, the child has no legal father. Paternity must be established before child support or medical support can be obtained. CSE can help parents establish paternity either by completing a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity form or by filing a paternity petition in Family Court. CSE can also arrange for genetic testing if either parent has any doubts about the identity of the child's biological father.
Support Establishment
CSE can help a custodial parent file a petition in Family Court for an order of support.
Support Collection
A child support order directs the non-custodial parent to pay child support to the Support Collection Unit (SCU). The SCU collects, tracks, and disburses payments to the custodial parent. However, if the custodial parent is receiving temporary or safety net assistance, all but the first $50 of current child support payments is sent to the Department of Social Services as reimbursement for the assistance.
Support Enforcement-Administrative
Federal and New York State laws require the local CSE unit to enforce a child support order when the non-custodial parent does not pay. Administrative procedures are actions the CSE unit can take without going to court.
The SCU will enforce a child support order automatically through payroll deductions. The SCU can also collect unpaid support by taking State and federal income tax refunds and lottery winnings; seizing assets-including bank accounts; suspending driver's licenses; suspending or denying passports; and notifying credit reporting agencies of overdue child support payments (arrears). The SCU can also refer the case for collection to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Support Enforcement-Court
When administrative enforcement is not successful, the SCU will assist in filing an enforcement petition with the family court. The court can order money judgments for the arrears; order the non-custodial parent into a work program; order that a hearing take place to suspend state-issued business, professional, or occupational licenses; or issue probation or jail sentences.
Medical Support Establishment and Enforcement
Child support services also include obtaining and enforcing court-ordered health insurance for children. If an existing order does not include health insurance coverage, CSE will help file a petition with family court to get health insurance included in the support order.
Review and Adjustment of Child Support Amounts
The amount that is owed for child support may be changed over time based on a cost of living adjustment.
Every two years CSE automatically reviews each child support order to determine whether the amount to be paid should be increased due to cost of living increases. Cost of living adjustments can be made without going to court.
For non-temporary assistance or non-safety net assistance cases, a notice is sent to both parents when a case is eligible for a cost of living adjustment, and either parent may request the adjustment. When the custodial parent or child is receiving temporary or safety net assistance, the cost of living adjustment is automatically made when the case becomes eligible-without either parent requesting the adjustment.
Modification of Child Support Orders
If either the custodial or non-custodial parent's circumstances change significantly (such as loss of job, change in custody of a child, etc.), CSE can help the parent file a petition in family court to request a modification (change) to the existing child support order.
The court uses a standard guideline to calculate what the non-custodial parent will pay, based on the non-custodial parent's adjusted gross income and on the number of children involved. The court first determines the non-custodial parent's gross income, and then makes certain deductions (including Medicare, Social Security, and New York City or Yonkers tax) to establish the non-custodial parent's adjusted gross income. The court then multiplies the adjusted gross income by the standard guideline percentage for the number of children. These percentages are as follows:
17% for one child
25% for two children
29% for three children
31% for four children
at least 35% for five or more children.
Then the non-custodial parent's share of child care, medical, and educational expenses is added to the income percentage amount. The combined amount, percentage of income plus share of expenses, is the basic child support amount.
For incomes over $80,000, the court determines whether or not to use the percentage guidelines and may consider other factors in setting the full child support payment.
When custodial parents call or visit their county CSE agency, they should provide as much information about themselves, their child(ren), and the non-custodial parent as they can. The more information custodial parents can provide, the more quickly CSE can assist them.
Information about the non-custodial parent:
full name and date of birth
current or last known address and phone number
current or last known work address and phone number
Social Security number (look on old pay stubs, tax, military, or medical records)
income information (tax records, pay stubs, bank and business records)
health insurance information
Other helpful information:
acknowledgment of paternity or order of filiation for each child
marriage license
divorce decree or separation agreement
copies of child support orders
custodial parent's income information (tax records, pay stubs, bank records)
information about child-related expenses and the child's needs
Information about the child(ren):
birth certificate
Social Security number
health insurance coverage information
current or last known address (if different than custodial parent's)
If a custodial parent moves while receiving child support services, s/he must notify CSE of any change in residential and/or mailing address, telephone number, or personal information, such as name or Social Security number. If the custodial parent does not notify CSE of these changes, support payments and other important notices may be delayed or lost.
Non-Custodial Parent Information
Child support is all about children. Unfortunately, many people do not understand the intent of child support. Child support is not intended to punish or inconvenience either parent, but to make sure that children get financial support from both of their parents.
This information is provided to help non-custodial parents understand what happens when one or both parents seek child support services. The links below provide the information most often requested by non-custodial parents:
What is child support?
Child support is financial support provided by the non-custodial parent. Child support includes
Cash payments (based on the parent's income and the needs of the child)
Health insurance for the child (medical support)
Payments for child care, and
Payments for reasonable health care costs that are not covered by health insurance.
Family court officials (support magistrates) determine the amount of child support the non-custodial parent will pay (see how much, below). Under New York State law, parents are responsible for supporting their child until the child is 21 years old.
Every child is entitled to financial and emotional support from both parents. This is true even if the child's parents do not live together and were never married.
If you are the parent of a child, New York law says you are responsible for the financial support of that child until the child is 21, even if you have never lived with the child or do not live with the child now.
If the child does not live with you, you will have to make child support payments to the other parent or to the person who is taking care of the child. This support should start the day your child is born.
What is the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program?
Every state in the United States has a child support enforcement (CSE) program, and many foreign countries have one also. The CSE program began in 1975, when Congress passed Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. Title IV-D required every state to
Establish and maintain statewide child support enforcement laws
Provide procedures to establish paternity and to obtain court orders for child support
Collect and distribute child support payments, and
Enforce child support orders when payments are not made.
In New York State, child support enforcement services are provided by Child Support Enforcement Units (CSEU) and Support Collection Units (SCU) in every county and in New York City.
Any parent, guardian, or caretaker of a child who needs support can apply for child support services. Also, anyone who applies for temporary or safety net assistance automatically receives child support services.
Note: The child support enforcement agency is separate from the family court. There are some issues, such as custody and visitation, that only the court can decide.
Even though you and your child's mother know that you are the father of your child, unless you and the mother are married, you are not the legal father of your child. That means that unless you do certain things, you will not be the legal father of your child and your name will not be on your child's birth certificate.
The easiest way to become the legal father of your child is for you and the mother of your child to fill out a form called a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. This form can be completed any time after your child is born, at a hospital, clinic, child support agency office, family court, or birth registrar's office. If the mother was married at any time during her pregnancy, or at the time of birth, you must go to court to establish paternity.
The most important reason to legally acknowledge paternity is to show respect for your child. Your child will know that you cared enough to become their legal father. Also, your child will be able to have benefits that are available through you, as their parent, such as health insurance through your employer and money from social security.
Completing the Acknowledgment of Paternity will also give you legal rights as a parent. It will allow you to have your name on your child's birth certificate, to seek court-ordered visitation and custody, and to have a say in adoption proceedings. By signing the voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form, you also take responsibility for supporting your child until they turn 21.
What if I am not sure or do not think the child is mine?
If you are not sure or do not think you are the father of the child, do not sign the Acknowledgment of Paternity form. You or the person taking care of the child can start a court action to decide the issue of paternity. If this action is taken, you will have to appear in court. You have the right to hire a lawyer for this action; if you are unable to afford a lawyer, New York State law provides that the court may assign you one.
When you appear in court, the court will order you, the mother, and the child to submit to certain genetic or DNA tests. These tests are simple to take and they will tell how likely it is that you are the child's father. These tests are very accurate, and if you are not the child's father, these tests will show that you are not the child's father.
Based on the genetic or DNA tests and other evidence, the court will decide whether or not you are legally the father of the child. If you are not the father, the court will dismiss the action brought against you and will not hold you responsible for paying child support for the child. If you are the father, the court will issue an order of filiation that says you are the child's father. After the order of filiation is issued, the court will decide how much you will have to pay for child support.
If I am the legal father, when do I have to go to court?
If you are the legal parent of a child and do not live with the child, you or the other parent or the person who is taking care of the child can go to court to get a court order for child support. The court order will set the amount you have to pay for child support.
If someone besides you starts a court action to get you to pay child support, you will find out about it by getting two documents, a petition and a summons. The petition shows that someone has asked a court to make an order against you. The summons tells you that you must come to court for a hearing about this. The summons also tells you where you have to go, when you have to be there, and what, if anything, you have to bring with you. You may get these documents in the mail, someone may give them to you in person, or they may be left at the door where you live or work.
At court, a hearing will be held to decide how much you will have to pay for child support. You should bring your latest tax returns, W-2s, paycheck stubs, and everything else you have to show your current income. The judge or hearing examiner will use this information and other information presented by other parties to decide what you should pay for child support for your child.
To make sure that the amount a person has to pay for child support is fair, the court uses a standard guideline to figure out what a person should pay based on how much they make in a year. Remember: You will not be ordered to pay an amount that is unfair under the law.
Besides support payments, you may also owe support back to the time your child was born. You may also have to pay for your child's child care costs, uninsured medical expenses, and education expenses. If health insurance is available for your child through your employer, you will also have to get health insurance coverage for your child, as long as the health insurance coverage is available at a reasonable cost and is accessible to your child.
The court uses a standard guideline to calculate what you will pay, based on your adjusted gross income and on the number of children involved. The court first determines your gross income, and then makes certain deductions (including Medicare, Social Security, and New York City or Yonkers tax) to establish your adjusted gross income. The court then multiplies the adjusted gross income by the standard guideline percentage for the number of children. These percentages are as follows:
17% for one child
25% for two children
29% for three children
31% for four children
at least 35% for five or more children.
Then your share of child care, medical, and educational expenses is added to the income percentage amount. The combined amount, percentage of income plus share of expenses, is the basic child support amount.
For incomes over $80,000, the court determines whether or not to use the percentage guidelines and may consider other factors in setting the full child support payment.
The guideline was put in the law to make sure that the court establishes support amounts that people with similar income will pay, and is based on estimates of how much parents would contribute if the family lived together. The guideline was not meant to take as much money as possible from a person who has to pay support, and it is not based on what the person who has to pay thinks should be enough.
You have to pay child support even if you receive unemployment benefits, disability benefits, social security payments, or worker's compensation payments.
After the court determines the amount you should pay for child support, the court then looks to see how much income you will have after child support is deducted. If your remaining income would be less than or equal to the federal poverty income guidelines, an order for a lower amount (for example $25 per month) may be issued. This amount may then go up when your income increases, after review by the court.
Also, if your income is less than or equal to the federal poverty income guideline, there is a limit on the amount of unpaid child support arrears that can be accrued (built up). The amount that you owe when you are at these income levels cannot build to more than $500.
If your child is receiving temporary or safety net assistance from social services, the first $50 of any current child support payment you make will be given to the person taking care of your child, in addition to the monthly temporary or safety net assistance grant.
If you do not appear in court at the time the court expects you to, the court can make an order that you are the father of the child and order you to pay child support even if you are not there. If you are not there, the judge or hearing examiner will decide how much you have to pay for child support without knowing how much you really make. The judge or hearing examiner will also determine how much you owe in past child support for the child without knowing how much money you made during that past period of time.
If you do not go to court and show the judge or hearing examiner your financial situation, the amount the court orders you to pay may be more than you think you can afford. Because you did not show up, the court based the order on what it thought you earned, or on the needs or standard of living of the child, whichever is greater. As far as the law is concerned, that is what you owe. If you do not pay what you owe, steps will be taken to collect the money from you. The court may also enter a warrant for your arrest. Remember: These steps will not be taken if you show up at court when you are supposed to, with all the documents you need to show what you earn.
When the judge or hearing examiner signs the order of support, a copy will be mailed to you. The order of support will tell you the amount you have to pay, the date that payments must start, and where to send your payments.
If you have a job, the child support agency will send a notice to your employer who will take the amount you have to pay directly from your paycheck. This will save you the time and trouble of getting bank checks or money orders, and paying for stamps to mail your payments. Your employer will send the payments directly to the child support enforcement agency. The child support agency keeps track of how much you owe and how much you have paid. It is the child support agency's job to see that you make payments regularly, on time, and to take action if you do not pay.
If you do not have a job, or are self-employed, you will be provided billing coupons and information about where and when to mail your child support payments. Your child support order will also tell you that you must tell the child support agency if you have any change in your income or you change or lose your job. If you do not do this, you could fall behind with your payments and then have to pay not only the current support amount, but also an additional amount to make up the payments you missed. If you fall behind on your payments, the child support agency will take enforcement actions to collect what you owe.
If there is a change in your income (for example, if you are laid off, or get a different job that pays less than you were making before), or there are other circumstances that affect your ability to pay your child support, you should immediately file a petition for modification with the court. The petition for modification is filed with the court that originally issued the child support order.
After the petition for modification is filed, a hearing date will be set. At the hearing you will have to present information, including documents about your change in income or other changes, to the judge or hearing examiner. Based on the new information, the court may change your order. If it does, the change will go back to the date that you filed the petition. You will also get credit for whatever you have paid since then. That is why you should ask for a modification immediately when you have a change in income. It is also why you should keep paying as much as you can.
Remember that only the court can change the amount you owe. Until it does, under the law you still owe the amount of support in the original court order. If you do not keep paying that amount until it is changed, steps will be taken to collect that amount from you. If you cannot pay all that you are supposed to, you should keep paying as much as you can until the court changes the amount. The worst thing you can do is not pay anything at all.
The amount that you owe for child support may change over time based on cost of living adjustments and changes in the amount of money you earn.
Every two years the child support enforcement agency automatically reviews each child support case to determine whether the amount to be paid should be increased due to cost of living increases. If the cost of living has increased by more than ten percent since the order of support was made or last reviewed, your order amount will increase by the amount that the cost of living changed. For example, if the cost of living changes by fifteen percent, your order amount will be increased by fifteen percent.
Please note that the child support enforcement agency can make these cost of living increases to your order amount without going to court. However, before any change goes into effect, you will receive a notice telling you of the change and what you need to do to challenge the change.
As long as you are under a court order for child support, you must notify the child support enforcement agency if you change your residential and/or mailing address, telephone number, Social Security number, or driver's license number.
What happens if I do not pay what I am supposed to?
Your obligation to support your child begins when your child is born. If you do not start paying support when your child is born, or do not pay what you owe for pregnancy or birth expenses, the amount you should have paid starts to add up. Even if you start paying later, you may still owe money from the time before you were paying. This is another reason why it is best to pay support right from the beginning.
The child support enforcement agency keeps track of the money you owe. Amounts you owe that you have not paid are called arrears. If you have arrears, the child support enforcement agency will take steps to collect that money. These steps can include taking your tax refund, lottery winnings, and your bank accounts; suspending your driver's license; and notifying credit reporting agencies about your debt. If you do not pay support, you can also be sentenced to time in jail.
You will get a notice in the mail before any of these things happen. The notice will tell you exactly what you have to do to stop them from happening. For example, if you get a notice that your driver's license is going to be suspended, you can keep your license by making an arrangement with the child support agency to pay what you owe.
If you have moved, and have not notified the child support agency, you will not receive important notices mailed to you to keep you informed about actions that are taking place on your child support account. Thus, you will not have the opportunity to take steps to stop the actions from taking place. In order to ensure you receive important notices, you must keep your address information up to date.
If you try to avoid being found, the child support enforcement agency will use many ways to find you, even if you go to another state. All states have child support enforcement agencies, and they all work together to find people who are not paying child support. Once you are found, enforcement actions will begin to collect all the money you owe.
Visitation and custody issues are separate from child support. If there is a support order and the other parent or guardian does not allow you to visit the child, you still owe child support. If you are having problems with your visitation rights or you have physical custody of your child, but do not have court-ordered custody, you need to go to court to get a court order stating that you have legal custody or to establish or enforce visitation rights. In the meantime, you must still pay the amount of child support that you have been ordered.
Being a parent brings many responsibilities. Being a parent will also be the hardest and most rewarding job you will ever have. In fact, the benefits, rewards, and memories of being a parent are limitless and will last a lifetime and beyond. By showing your child that you care enough to be there for them, both emotionally and financially, you are showing them your love and respect. You are also teaching them what it means to be a parent-a skill they may one day pass on to their children.
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