New York Law Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Under the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) in New York, the earnings cap for calculating basic child support is set at $148,000. This cap is important because it establishes the maximum income level on which the child support obligations are calculated.

When parents' combined income exceeds this threshold, the courts can exercise discretion in determining any additional support obligations that might be appropriate for higher income levels. The CSSA sets forth a formula for determining child support, which operates based on a percentage of the combined parental income up to this cap, ensuring a uniform approach to child support calculations across cases.

The value of $148,000 as a cap is based on guidelines meant to ensure that the support remains reasonable and within the economic abilities of the parents. This cap reflects an effort to balance the needs of the child with the financial realities of the parents, while also considering the state's interests in establishing fair and predictable outcomes in child support cases.