Expert Child Support Guidance for Rockland County Families

Struggling with child support payments or fighting for fair support for your children? At The Silk Cooper Law Firm, P.C., Attorney Paul Silk Cooper brings over 28 years of experience securing fair child support outcomes in Rockland County Family Court. Whether you’re seeking a modification due to job loss, calculating support across multiple families, or challenging imputed income, our New City-based firm provides strategic representation. Located at 151 N Main St, New City, NY 10956, we’re your trusted local partner for all child support matters. Contact us today to protect your parental rights and financial future.

Why Choose Our New City Child Support Attorney?

  • 28+ Years of Success: Thousands of support orders established, modified, and enforced since 1997

  • Modification Expertise: Proven track record winning downward modifications during economic hardship

  • Multiple Family Calculations: Complex support orders across different relationships

  • Imputed Income Defense: Successfully challenge unfair income assumptions in court

New York Child Support Formula: How It Works

Simple Formula: (Combined Parental Income – FICA Taxes) × Percentage × Pro-Rata Share

Child Support Percentages (1st $148,000 Combined Income)

# of Children

Percentage

Example (Combined $100K Income)

1 Child

17%

$17,000 total support

2 Children

25%

$25,000 total support

3 Children

29%

$29,000 total support

4 Children

31%

$31,000 total support

5+ Children

35%+

$35,000+ total support

Pro-Rata Example: Dad earns $60K (60%), Mom earns $40K (40%) = Dad pays 60% of total obligation

When Rockland County Parents Need Child Support Modifications

Downward Modification Petitions

You MUST prove:

  • Income loss through no fault (job elimination, not quitting)

  • Good faith efforts to replace income (job applications, interviews)

  • Preponderance of evidence standard

2007-2008 Crisis Lesson: Courts cannot take judicial notice of economy—YOU must prove your specific hardship

Willful Violation Defense

Avoid 6-Month Jail Time:

  • Court imputes income from original order if you can’t prove change

  • Contempt finding = incarceration as last resort

  • Our Defense: Documented job search + economic hardship evidence

Multiple Family Child Support Calculations

Complex Scenarios We Handle Daily:

Scenario 1: Children with Multiple Partners

  • Parent A pays support on Child 1 (Partner X)

  • Same Parent A receives support for Child 2 (Partner Y)

  • Solution: Subtract first order from income before calculating second

Scenario 2: Split Custody (Same Parents, Multiple Children)

  • Dad has custody of Child 1, Mom has custody of Child 2

  • Credit Calculation: Higher support obligation minus lower obligation

  • Result: Net payment between parents

Scenario 3: Sequential Orders

Step 1: Calculate Support for Child 1 ($500/month)
Step 2: Subtract Child 1 payment from income
Step 3: Calculate Support for Child 2 on reduced income

Imputed Income: What Courts Assume You Earn

Red Flags Triggering Imputation:

  • Expensive car/home with no visible income

  • Off-the-books work (waitress, mechanic tips)

  • Lifestyle inconsistent with reported earnings

Our Investigation Services:

  • Private Investigators: Document actual income (or lack thereof)

  • Forensic Accounting: Uncover hidden/off-books earnings

  • Lifestyle Analysis: Challenge unreasonable imputation

Court Examples:

  • Unemployed + Luxury Car = Impute car payment as income

  • No Job + Designer Clothes = Impute based on child’s needs

  • Underreported Tips = Full tip income imputed

Common Child Support Myths We Debunk

Myth: “Custodial parent raise = my payment decreases”
Reality: Combined income increases, your % decreases slightly, NET payment stays same or increases

Myth: “Job loss = automatic reduction”
Reality: MUST file modification petition + prove good faith efforts

Myth: “Off-books income = no support obligation”
Reality: Courts impute 100% + possible contempt

The Child Support Modification Process

  1. File Petition in Rockland County Family Court (30-day response)

  2. Financial Disclosure: W-2s, tax returns, job search proof

  3. Hearing: Present evidence of income change

  4. Order: New support amount (retroactive to filing date)

  5. Enforcement: Wage garnishment setup

Timeline: 2-4 months | Success Rate: 85% with proper documentation

Off-the-Books Income: Proving What Isn’t Documented

Challenges:

  • Waitresses: Cash tips unreported

  • Mechanics: Side jobs undocumented

  • Contractors: Cash payments

Our Solutions:

  • Investigator Surveillance: Video evidence of actual work

  • Client Testimony: Detailed work history

  • Economic Expert: Industry wage verification

  • Character Witnesses: Employer references

Why 28+ Years Experience Matters in Child Support

Inexperienced Attorney Mistakes:

  • File modification without job search proof → DENIED

  • Miss multiple family credit calculations → OVERPAY

  • Fail to challenge imputed income → JAIL RISK

  • Ignore retroactive modification date → LOST MONEY

Our Proven Advantages:

  • Thousands of successful modifications

  • Rockland County Support Magistrates known by name

  • Forensic accounting partnerships

  • Private investigator network

Start Resolving Your Child Support Issues Today

Don’t risk contempt or overpayment. The Silk Cooper Law Firm, P.C., specializes in child support for New City and Rockland County parents. Contact Attorney Paul Silk Cooper. We’ll:

  1. Run Your Exact Calculation using current incomes

  2. Identify Modification Eligibility immediately

  3. Challenge Imputed Income strategically

  4. Handle Multiple Family Complexity perfectly

Call now—before wage garnishment or contempt hearing. With 28+ years perfecting child support strategies, we’re ready to secure FAIR support for Rockland County families today.

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