Chappaqua, Westchester County Attorneys

The Determination of Child Support and Maintenance

At the Law Office of Grimes & Zimet , we are dedicated to helping our clients through the various issues presented regarding support and maintenance as they relate to a divorce or child custody case. Below are some descriptions of child support and spousal maintenance that can help shed some light on the issues. Contact our office today to discuss your specific legal concern with a lawyer at our firm.

Child Support

The determination of child support in New York State is governed usually by a mathematical formula set by law. Support is based on a certain percentage of the parents' combined incomes and the way in which the incomes are balanced (whether or not one parent earns more than the other). This equation results in a fixed amount, and any deviation requires an explanation from the court.

In non-matrimonial situations, paternity testing is often performed to establish the father of the child whenever this issue is raised. This determination may lead to the enforcement of a child support order against the father.

Spousal Maintenance

Often still referred to as alimony, spousal maintenance is the amount of money that is paid to the recipient or non-monied spouse (the spouse that was not the primary wage earner) after a marriage ends. The whole purpose of maintenance is to maintain the non-monied spouse in a lifestyle that is comparable to that which was enjoyed during the marriage. Maintenance may be permanent or may continue until the recipient spouse is able to support his or her self. Several factors such as length of marriage and dissipation of marital assets are taken into consideration when the court makes a determination about spousal maintenance.

To learn more about how we can help you through your child support and spousal maintenance matters, contact our Westchester County child support attorneys today. At Grimes & Zimet, we take the time to examine all aspects of your case in order to provide you with a realistic assessment of the possible outcomes of the situation. Let us help you explore your options and help you to understand your rights today.