When Does Child Support End in New York?
Last reviewed: March 2026
Child support in New York generally continues until the child turns 21. This is higher than the majority of states, where support ends at 18. New York has one of the highest age limits in the country.
Child support age limit in New York
In New York, the age of majority for child support purposes is 21. Child support obligations generally continue until the child reaches this age. New York extends child support obligations to age 21, which is among the highest in the country. This can represent a significant financial commitment for the paying parent.
Child support may continue beyond age 21 in certain circumstances, such as when the child has a physical or mental disability that prevents self-support.
How New York calculates child support
New York uses the Income Shares model for calculating child support. Under the Income Shares model, both parents' incomes are combined and the child support obligation is divided proportionally based on each parent's share of the combined income. The idea is that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income as they would if the parents lived together.
Combined parental income is used with statutory percentages and a cap on income considered.
Can child support be modified in New York?
Yes. In New York, child support orders can generally be modified when there is a significant change in circumstances. Common reasons include:
- A substantial change in either parent's income (job loss, raise, new employment)
- A change in the custody or visitation arrangement
- A change in the child's needs (medical costs, educational expenses)
- A change in the cost of health insurance or childcare
Is child support taxable in New York?
No. Child support payments are not taxable income for the receiving parent and not tax-deductible for the paying parent. This applies under both federal tax law and New York state law.
See how child support fits into your full New York financial picture
Enter your income, assets, custody split, and support terms. Get a year-by-year projection showing your after-tax cash flow with child support factored in.
Pro models your complete financial picture including child support, alimony, housing costs, and taxes for New York.
From uncertainty to clarity in 3 steps
No account required. No credit card. Just your numbers.
Enter your numbers
Settlement amount, income, expenses, alimony, house — takes about 2 minutes. Everything runs privately in your browser.
See the projection
Get a year-by-year chart showing your net worth from now through age 100. Green, yellow, or red — you'll know where you stand instantly.
Model & export
Test different settlement terms to find which saves you the most money, compare offers side-by-side, and export a report for your attorney.
Every projection is deterministic — same inputs always produce the same outputs. Results are estimates based on the assumptions you provide.
See what a Pro analysis looks like
We built a complete Pro analysis for a fictional person named Sarah. Explore every section — charts, what-if scenarios, risk timeline, negotiation leverage — so you can see what’s included before running your own numbers.
You don’t need a $5,000 CDFA retainer to understand your own numbers
Start with the free projection. If the numbers raise questions you can’t answer, upgrade to Pro for $19 — one-time, no subscription — and discover which settlement terms could save you thousands.
Not financial or legal advice. DivorceSmart is an educational planning tool. Always consult a qualified attorney and financial advisor before making settlement decisions.