For many New Yorker divorcees, joint custody and co-parenting are in the best interests of the child. The outdated believe that the father has the child every other weekend is in transition. In most homes, both parents work. In the past, one parent may stay home with the children, whereas the other paid child support.
Psychology Today explains how co-parenting encourages existing routines and relationships in the child’s life because both parents are still present. This creates a more stable environment for the child. With more parents turning towards co-parenting as a method for raising children, how can you establish child support? In order to receive child support, you have to have the child more than 50% of the time.
The NYC bar explains that in basic situations, the court uses a formula to determine the amount of child support that the noncustodial parent pays. This number takes the combined income of the parents and multiplies it by a percentage based on the number of children. The court divides the child support in proportion to individual income.
Child support covers the basics. It covers food, shelter, clothing and other basic expenses. There are also add-on expenses that the courts do not include. For instance, you would add medical costs and childcare expenses to the amount. When both parents act as custodial parents, then you have to look solely at income for child support. The parent who has the highest share of income is the parent who will generally pay child support. Instead of relying on the courts, some parents also choose to draft a child support agreement between each other for approval.