Child Support Services in New York

Children who are born to parent who are not married have no relationship, legal, with their fathers. Therefore, in order to collect support in New York, a legal relationship must be established either by completing a voluntary paternity test or by filing a petition at the courthouse. To file a petition, documents must be completed and submitted and child support staff at the New York State Division of Child Support Enforcement, (DCSE) are more than willing to assist the parent with this paperwork. If there are questions about the father, one or both of the parents can file a petition with the courts for a paternity test to assist in correctly identifying the child's father. This testing is accurate and uses genetic markers or DNA testing.

Once the father is identified, local support workers will assist the custodial parent to petition the court to obtain a support order for the child. Child support staff at the DCSE will also investigate the father's income and assets through employers, banks, and computer searches using State Wage Reporting System (WRS), the state and federal income tax offices, as well as the New Hire Reporting System, to determine the father's ability to pay.

Once it is determined, the father can pay, the case is taken to family court. The court is essential in the decision about how much the father can afford to pay, and how much support to issue in the Child Support order. The courts use a guideline, which is standardized, based on gross income and how many children are involved or in need of support.

To arrive at the support figure, the court multiples the father's gross income by the percentages listed below:

1 17% - one child

2 25% - two children

3 29% - three children

4 31% - four children

5 35% minimum - five children or more.

On top of these figures, the court adds a percentage as well for childcare, educational expenses, and medical expenses, which then equals the child support amount required to be paid by the father. This applies to gross incomes up to $80,000.00/year. For fathers with gross incomes over $80,000.00/year, it is at the courts discretion whether to use the percentage guidelines or not.

Please note: The courts may introduce other factors into the calculations to settle the final Child Support Award, in either situation, under $80,000.00 gross income/year, or over $80,000.00 gross income/year.

So, before being forced into a situation where you are required to do legal testing for the courts, why not offer to take a home paternity test to ensure it is yours, before she approaches the courts with a request for legal action. This way, both you and the baby's mother are sure whether you are the father, or are not the father. Home Paternity Tests are available for as little as $199.00 and contain everything you need to take the test in the comfort of your home.

Home Paternity Tests are 99.9% accurate, tested twice at the lab to guarantee accuracy. To order your kit today, call 1-888-340-4644