Child Support

Q. How old does a child have to be before child support ends?

A. In most cases, 21. If a child is under 21 and is either married, self-supporting, or in the military, a parent doesn't have to pay child support.

Q. Is there any other reason why child support might end?

A. A child between 17 and 21 who has left home and refuses to obey parents' reasonable commands can be considered "emancipated" by a court. In that case, child support might not have to be paid.

Q. I am a parent who wants child support. How do I get it?

A. When the parents are not together, and one of them has legal custody of the child, that parent can file a petition in Family Court to ask the other parent to pay child support.

Q. What happens when a child support case goes to court?

A. The parents must give the court their most recent tax returns. They must file pay stubs and tell what they earn and spend. The court will usually ask for proof of the expenses, such as for food, rent, clothing, medical costs, child care, and education. The court will listen to all of the evidence from both parents. It will then decide how much the parent who does not have custody has to pay for child support.

Q. What can I do if I disagree with the support order?

A. You can file an "Objection." An Objection must be filed in court within 30 days of the date the court order was sent to you. The other parent will have a chance to reply to the Objection. The court will then make a decision on the Objection. The court might leave the order as is, or change it, or order more hearings.

Q. And if I still disagree?

A. Either parent has the right to appeal the Objection decision to a higher court. Talk to a clerk in the Family Court if you wish to do this.

Q. My child's other parent won't pay the child support order that I have. What can I do?

A. You may file a "Violation" petition in Family Court. There will be a hearing and the court will decide if there was a violation and what to do next. There are many things the court can do to a parent who doesn't pay a support order. For example:

• Order the Support Collection Unit (SCU) to take the payments from the parent's paycheck.
• Order a lump sum payment and/or payments over time on the money owed.
• Suspend the parent's driver's license and/or professional or business license.
• Jail the parent for up to six months for not paying just because the parent doesn't want to.

Q. How do I get a support order changed?

A. You can file a petition to change the order in Family Court. There will be a hearing. To change an order, there must have been a change of circumstances.

Q. I have legal custody and the child's other parent lives in another state. Can I get child support in a New York court?

A. Yes. Talk to a clerk in the Family Court about how to do this.

Q. Do I need a lawyer for a Family Court child support case?

A. You have the right to hire a lawyer. If you cannot afford to do this and want a lawyer, ask the Family Court. They can assign one at no cost.