Child Support Lawyer in White Plains

Dedicated Representation for Your Child Support Case

For more than 30+ years, Michael J. Borrelli has worked inside the Westchester County legal system, including seven years in the Superior Court Trial Division and supervisory roles across three DA branch offices in New Rochelle, Northern Westchester, and Yorktown. That career gave him firsthand knowledge of how courts in this county evaluate disputed financial claims, scrutinize income documentation, and weigh contested calculations. At The Law Offices of Michael J. Borrelli, P.L.L.C., we bring that institutional perspective to every child support matter we handle in White Plains and throughout Westchester County.

Whether you need to establish an initial support order, challenge an inaccurate calculation, modify an existing order, or enforce one that isn't being paid, we represent parents at every stage of the process. Michael personally attends 99% of client court appearances, so you're working with the attorney you hired from your first hearing through resolution.

Free, confidential consultations are available 24/7, including nights and weekends. Hablamos español. Call (914) 928-2766 to talk about your child support case today.

How Child Support Is Calculated in New York

New York's Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) determines support based on a percentage of both parents' combined income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 30+% for three, 31% for four, and at least 35% for five or more. The current statutory income cap of $193,000 governs the basic formula, though courts have discretion above that threshold and consider factors like the child's standard of living and each parent's financial resources.

What counts as income under the CSSA:

• Wages and salary
• Self-employment earnings
• Rental income
• Pensions and retirement benefits
• Social Security benefits
• Other recurring income sources

Beyond the basic obligation, mandatory add-on expenses are split pro rata between parents, including health insurance premiums and childcare costs. Courts may also order contributions toward educational expenses at their discretion. When a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court can impute income based on earning capacity.

Child support cases in Westchester County are heard at Westchester County Family Court in White Plains, where a support magistrate presides over proceedings. Support obligations generally continue until the child turns 21, which is longer than in most states.

Child Support Matters We Handle

Every child support situation carries its own financial and personal pressures. We represent parents across the full range of support proceedings in Westchester County Family Court.

We can help with:

• Establishing an order: When parents were never married or a divorce decree doesn't include support terms, we file the petition and present a clear financial picture to the court.
• Contesting a calculation: Disputes over hidden income, unreported business revenue, or inflated lifestyle claims require close scrutiny of tax returns, bank records, and financial disclosures.
• Modification: New York requires a substantial change in circumstances or at least a 15% change in either parent's income before an existing order can be modified.
• Enforcement: When a parent fails to pay, remedies can include income execution, license suspension, credit reporting, and contempt petitions.
• Paternity: If parents were never married, paternity must be legally established through an Acknowledgment of Paternity or Order of Filiation before a support order can be entered.

In every case, we work to ensure the support arrangement is fair, financially accurate, and reflective of current circumstances while keeping the child's best interests at the forefront. Michael handles your case personally, so nothing gets lost in delegation.

A Westchester County Attorney Who Knows the System

Michael's career inside the Westchester County DA's Office included serving as legal advisor to more than 20 police agencies and training attorneys across the county. That background means he understands how local courts operate from the inside—how judges and magistrates evaluate financial evidence, how contested hearings move through the system, and where opposing arguments tend to break down under scrutiny.

He was appointed by Presiding Justice Hon. A. Gail Prudenti to serve on the Committees on Character & Fitness of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department. This judicial appointment, held by very few practicing attorneys, reflects the level of trust the court system places in his judgment and integrity.

As a lifelong Westchester County resident and active member of the Westchester County Bar Association and New York State Bar Association, Michael has spent decades building professional relationships across local courts and agencies. That familiarity translates into practical advantages. He knows the procedures, the pace, and the expectations of Westchester County Family Court.

Child Support FAQ

How Long Does It Take to Get a Child Support Order?

Timelines vary depending on whether the case is contested. An uncontested petition can move through Westchester County Family Court relatively quickly, while a disputed hearing before a support magistrate may take longer based on court scheduling and the complexity of the financial issues.

Can I Modify Support If I Lose My Job?

You can file a modification petition, but the court requires either a substantial change in circumstances or at least a 15% change in income. Involuntary job loss generally qualifies, though voluntary pay cuts or resignations may face closer scrutiny from the court.

What If the Other Parent Hides Income?

Courts can impute income based on earning capacity, prior tax returns, and lifestyle evidence. Your attorney can subpoena financial records, and in complex cases involving business ownership or investment portfolios, a forensic accountant can be retained to uncover the full financial picture.

Does Child Support Cover College in New York?

Basic support ends at age 21, but parents can negotiate agreements covering post-secondary education costs. In some circumstances, courts may also order contributions to college expenses depending on each parent's financial ability and the child's academic needs.

What Happens If the Other Parent Stops Paying?

Enforcement options include income execution (automatic wage withholding), driver's license suspension, passport denial, credit reporting, and contempt proceedings. The right approach depends on the amount of arrears and the paying parent's circumstances.

Talk to a Child Support Attorney Who Knows Westchester County

A free consultation with The Law Offices of Michael J. Borrelli, P.L.L.C. can give you a clear assessment of where your case stands, what the CSSA formula may mean for your specific financial situation, and what steps to consider next. Consultations are confidential and available 24/7, including nights and weekends, so you don't have to wait until business hours to get answers.

Michael Borrelli handles child support cases personally throughout White Plains and Westchester County. Hablamos español. 

Call (914) 928-2766 now to schedule your free consultation with a child support attorney in White Plains.