Child Support in Buffalo, NY

What Is Child Support?

Child support is a financial obligation that a parent has to pay to support her or his child. This continues as they age and mature. Are you the parent who has custody of your son or daughter currently? If so, then the court will assume that the child receives full financial support while residing in your residence.

However, if your child does not live in your house and she or he is not currently under your custody, the court may require you to pay child support to the custodial parent. Buffalo residents should be aware that child support cases can be heard by 1 of 2 courts. If your case is directly tied to a divorce you will go before the Supreme Court of Erie County. If your child support case is unrelated to divorce it will most likely come before the Erie County Family Court.

In , New York this means that you have to make payments to the custodial parent until your child reaches adulthood. There are other situations where you may only have to make payments until the courts have legally declared your child as emancipated or your daughter or son goes into military active duty. Keep in mind that if your child has special needs, there may be a requirement that you have to make child support payments past the legal age of adulthood.

Terminating Rights

Do you wonder if you can terminate your parental rights and not pay child support? Most states will not allow a parent to do this and cease support unless certain requirements are met. There may be some situations where a court terminates financial responsibilities if both parents agree that one party no longer has to provide financial support to their shared son or daughter. One situation where a parent may be able to terminate her or his responsibility to child support is if someone else, like a stepparent, adopts the child.

The New York Judiciary states that the process of terminating your parental rights in Buffalo begins when a city agency files a petition in Family Court. The agency must provide evidence for terminating your rights, and prove that it serves the best interest of the child to be placed in different care. In New York the 5 causes for involuntary loss of parental rights are abandonment, mental illness, permanent neglect, mental retardation, and sever and repeated abuse.

Do you believe that the other parent has violated your rights to receive child support? Then get immediate legal help from an experienced Buffalo lawyer on standby in your area who can help you fight for your child’s right to financial stability.

How a Buffalo, New York Child Support Attorney Can Help You

If you constantly struggle to get the other parent to pay, hiring a lawyer can help you learn about your available options and guide you on the best decision for your son or daughter.

Many people struggle with parents who refuse to pay. Hiring an experienced and dedicated lawyer will bring you professional help while navigating the legal system. Additionally, you may also have an easier time getting the money your child needs and deserves to better ensure a stable childhood.

The Erie County Department of Social Services oversees the management of child support services, and enforces collection of derelict payment when necessary. They also offer services establishing parentage, and locating parents who are attempting to avoid court mandated payments. Failure to pay child support on time can cause negative effects in your life, such as bad credit, wage garnishment, and even bank account seizure.

Whether you look to receive child support payments as a part of an agreed-upon divorce settlement or you are not married and look to receive financial support, hiring a legal professional in Buffalo with a background in child support can help to streamline the entire process. Without the help of a legal advocate, the cost of living can quickly drain your bank account and involve traumatic experiences for your unsupported children.

Working with an attorney can help you to:

• Establish paternity
• Answer a child support petition
• File a petition for support
• Request a child support order
• Explain the tax consequences that come with a child support order
• Work with the other parent to reach an agreement
• Represent you in court
• Locate the other parent
• Subpoena the other parent’s financial information
• Prove income
• Determine any factors that a court will look at to calculate how much is owed
• Educate you on the available child support enforcement options
• Give you an estimate of how much financial support you may receive from the other parent

Do you believe that you deserve to receive payment from the other parent or that you are not receiving a sufficient amount? If you have to answer, yes, then make every effort to avoid missing what your kid deserves. Work with a dedicated Buffalo, New York lawyer who fights for your rights as well as your child’s rights.

Information to Share With Your Lawyer

As you work with your lawyer, make sure you share proper documentation to better ensure that you can properly proceed with your case in Buffalo. The information that you need to share with your attorney includes:

• Check stubs for the last two years or more if applicable
• Outstanding debts
• A change in debt, such as filing for bankruptcy
• Paternity records
• Adoption records
• Previous child support payment records
• Bonds, stocks or any retirement account records
• Tax return records
• Purchase of sale records for a home, land or any other type of assets
• Any child support forms that you have

Child support in New York is generally calculated through a process of examining the parents gross monthly income, and then tabulating that against the number of children in the household. Custody Xchange provides an online calculator to help you get a rough estimate of what your payment may be. However, it is important to keep in mind that the judge could lower or raise this payment depending on the circumstances of your case. An experienced attorney in Buffalo can help prepare you for these outcomes.

Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in Buffalo, New York

Are you facing a costly and emotional child support battle? Talk to a Buffalo attorney equipped to help you in this delicate situation. Call now or fill out the simple form below to take steps to protect your children’s interests. Learn more about your child support law options below.

One of our expert Buffalo attorneys will help to navigate you through the legal system to get you the money you and your kid should have. We can even help you connect with an attorney across New York state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!