How Child Support Is Determined in 50/50 Custody Cases in New York

When parents share custody of their children equally, many assume that child support is unnecessary because each parent spends the same amount of time caring for the child. However, under New York law, the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) still applies even in a 50/50 custody arrangement. As an experienced Syracuse family law attorney I help clients understand how courts handle these situations and assist in navigating divorce or custody proceedings.

The Basics of Child Support in New York

New York follows the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) when calculating child support. Under this law, child support is primarily based on each parent’s income, not the amount of time spent with the child. The CSSA formula considers:

• The combined parental income

• The number of children

• A percentage applied to that income (17% for one child, 25% for two, and so on)

• Each parent’s proportional share of the combined income

What Happens in 50/50 Custody?

Even when parenting time is split evenly, the court must still designate one parent as the “custodial” parent for child support purposes. Typically, this is the parent with the higher income, since the law aims to ensure the child enjoys a consistent standard of living in both households. This means that the higher-earning parent is often required to pay support to the lower-earning parent, even if parenting time is shared equally. Just as in cases where one parent has primary custody, the court calculates support using the CSSA formula, then may adjust (or “deviate”) from the guidelines if strict application would be unfair or inappropriate.

For example, if Parent A earns $120,000 per year and Parent B earns $60,000 per year, the court will likely designate Parent B as the “custodial” parent for support purposes, even if parenting time is evenly split. Parent A may then be required to pay guideline support (or an adjusted amount) to Parent B to balance the financial resources available in both homes.

Factors Courts Consider for Deviations

Courts have discretion to modify the guideline amount if applying it strictly would not serve the child’s best interests. Some common considerations include:

• The financial resources of each parent

• The standard of living the child would have enjoyed if the parents had remained together

• Each parent’s contributions, including direct expenses such as food, clothing, or school costs

• Any extraordinary expenses, such as medical or educational needs

Contact a Syracuse Family Law Attorney Today

Child support in 50/50 custody cases can be especially complex. Parents often expect that equal time means no support obligation, but New York law does not work that way. If you find yourself in this situation, contact us today to discuss your options with an experienced Syracuse family law attorney serving clients across Central New York.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and guidelines can change, so always verify with current statutes or a professional.