When the New York State Legislature enacted the Child Support Standards Act, it attempted to help set guideline for litigants
to determine fair child support for their children.
The original guidelines in the act have become a way of life for determining child support, with a few exceptions.
Most courts now start with the CSSA as a base line and any "adjustments" to the figures are made upon a showing of circumstances
that would warrant a departure from it.
The act calls for deductions in the earnings of the parents of the child for some taxes, but not all. Therefore, the
amount of child support is figured on amounts not actually earned by the payor.
The act calls for child support to be the following percentages of income:
For one child ......................................... 17%
For two children ......................................... 25%
For three children ....................................... 29%
For four children ......................................... 31%
And for five or more .................................... 35%
