N.Y. Family Court Act § 415: Duties to support recipient of public assistance or welfare and patients in institutions in the department of mental hygiene

§ 415. Duties to support recipient of public assistance or welfare and

patients in institutions in the department of mental hygiene. Except as

otherwise provided by law, the spouse or parent of a recipient of public

assistance or care or of a person liable to become in need thereof or of

a patient in an institution in the department of mental hygiene, if of

sufficient ability, is responsible for the support of such person or

patient, provided that a parent shall be responsible only for the

support of his child or children who have not attained the age of

twenty-one years. In its discretion, the court may require any such

person to contribute a fair and reasonable sum for the support of such

relative and may apportion the costs of such support among such persons

as may be just and appropriate in view of the needs of the petitioner

and the other circumstances of the case and their respective means.

Step-parents shall in like manner be responsible for the support of

children under the age of twenty-one years.