New York Child Support Calculator 2026
Estimate child support obligations in New York under New York Domestic Relations Law §240 and Family Court Act §413 (Child Support Standards Act). This free calculator applies the state's income shares model to produce an instant guideline estimate for parents, attorneys, and self-represented litigants.
Free New York Child Support Guideline Calculator
New York calculates child support under New York Domestic Relations Law §240 and Family Court Act §413 (Child Support Standards Act), which combines both parents' incomes, calculates the basic child support obligation from the state's guideline schedule, and then prorates that obligation between the parents based on their percentage of combined income. New York uses the Child Support Standards Act — combined parental income is multiplied by fixed percentages (17% for 1 child, 25% for 2, 29% for 3, 31% for 4, and 35% for 5+) and prorated by share.
This calculator is used by divorcing parents, family law attorneys, mediators, and self-represented litigants who need a quick estimate of what a New York court is likely to order. Results are guideline projections only — any formal court filing in New York requires the official worksheet or the state's certified calculator.
👤 Parent A (Petitioner)
👤 Parent B (Respondent)
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Frequently Asked Questions — New York Child Support
How is child support calculated in New York?
New York uses the Income Shares approach set out in New York Domestic Relations Law §240 and Family Court Act §413 (Child Support Standards Act). New York uses the Child Support Standards Act — combined parental income is multiplied by fixed percentages (17% for 1 child, 25% for 2, 29% for 3, 31% for 4, and 35% for 5+) and prorated by share. The court applies this formula as a rebuttable presumption, so the guideline number is the starting point in every case unless a party proves deviation is warranted.
What counts as income for child support purposes in New York?
Under New York's guidelines, income is defined broadly. Gross income reduced for FICA and Medicare, New York City or Yonkers income tax, alimony paid, and prior court-ordered child support paid for other children. Courts routinely impute income where a parent is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed, and verified documentation of wages, self-employment profit, and government benefits is required at the hearing.
Can a New York court order child support different from the guidelines?
Yes. The guideline amount produced by New York Domestic Relations Law §240 and Family Court Act §413 (Child Support Standards Act) is a rebuttable presumption, meaning courts can deviate when application of the formula would be unjust or inappropriate. Common grounds recognized in New York include the non-monetary contributions of parents, extraordinary expenses for visitation, the children's special needs, educational expenses, or the obligor's tax consequences. A deviation typically requires written findings on the record explaining the reasons for departing from the guideline amount.
Do I need an attorney to calculate child support in New York?
No — New York courts allow self-represented parents to complete their own child support worksheets using the state's official guideline tools. For uncontested cases where both spouses agree on the guideline amount, an online divorce service can prepare your forms for filing at a fraction of what an attorney charges. For contested cases or complex income situations, consulting a New York family law attorney is advisable.
Understanding New York Child Support Guidelines
Child support in New York is governed by New York Domestic Relations Law §240 and Family Court Act §413 (Child Support Standards Act). These statutes establish a rebuttable presumption that the guideline calculation produces the correct amount of support, and the New York courts are required to apply the guidelines to every case involving minor children unless a party shows that doing so would be unjust or inappropriate under the specific facts presented.
The New York child support formula uses the income shares model — combines both parents’ incomes, calculates the basic child support obligation from the state’s guideline schedule, and then prorates that obligation between the parents based on their percentage of combined income. New York uses the Child Support Standards Act — combined parental income is multiplied by fixed percentages (17% for 1 child, 25% for 2, 29% for 3, 31% for 4, and 35% for 5+) and prorated by share. New York’s approach to income is specific: gross income reduced for FICA and Medicare, New York City or Yonkers income tax, alimony paid, and prior court-ordered child support paid for other children.
Parenting time matters in New York. When each parent has the children for a substantial share of overnights, the court applies a shared-physical-custody or extended-parenting-time adjustment, which generally reduces the paying parent’s obligation to reflect direct expenses incurred during that parent’s time. The exact threshold and math differ between New York and other states, so the parenting schedule should be quantified accurately when running this calculator or the official worksheet.
Child support orders in New York are not permanent — they can be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances such as a change in either parent’s income, a change in custody, or a change in the children’s needs. Enforcement is handled through the New York Child Support Enforcement Agency and the family court, with remedies including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, and contempt proceedings for willful non-payment.