I am a female step-parent, my husband got divorce in NY, and he owes child support, do I have the obligation to pay his child support ?

Question

I am a female step-parent, my husband got divorce in NY, and he owes child support, do I have the obligation to pay his child support ?

Answer

Technically, no you do not, however, if your husband pleads poverty and is living comfortably with your support, the magistrate can "impute" income to your husband, requiring him to pay support beyond his claimed income. What this doesn't obligate you to pay, if your husband doesn't and arrears amass, he could end up incarcerated.