Facts: Carol and Paul are professionals, parents of two school age children, living in a two bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The children go to private school, have an after school math tutor and take dancing lessons. Although the combined parental income is $350,000, the husband represents $300,000 of this income.
Action: The question turned on how to maintain the children’s life style after divorce. Basic child support levels would be higher than the statutorily mandated $143,000.00 amount because maintaining the children’s standard of living is a priority notwithstanding the parents’ decision to divorce.
Result: Each parent would pay additional income as calculated by the court. The spouses’ contributions were pro-rated based on their personal income.