Child Support In Divorce Mediation

In divorce mediation, child support is assessed using the Child Support Standard Chart, which utilizes the New York Child Support Calculator to help assess the amount of child support a parent should pay. However, parents can deviate from CSSA New York Guidelines for the betterment of their child’s future. Any deviation must be agreed upon and filed with the court system on the Child Support Summary Form.

Generally, child support percentages are as follows: 17% of total income for 1 child, 25% for 2 children, 29% for three children, 31% for four children and no less than 35% for 5 or more children. It’s important that both parents lay out what type of financial situation they will likely be in following their divorce. This way, they can plan for their child’s future with the knowledge that they’ll have financial stability in their lives.

A divorce mediator will help guide two parents in their negotiations regarding child support. They must remain the neutral, third-party in the situation. In the matter of child support, the mediator’s focus is the wellbeing of the child. When child custody goes to one parent, the other parent is responsible for child support. When child custody is split, child support may be waived.

All in all, child support is handled in divorce mediation just as it would be in divorce litigation. But instead of having a judge determine the fate of child custody (which directly affects child support), the agreement on child support is ultimately up to the parents. Learn about the Suffolk County Divorce Mediation Center, our fees, and our process.