What Is Child Support Meant to Cover?

If you’ve been ordered to pay a certain amount of child support each month (or if you’re the parent who’s receiving child support), you may be wondering exactly what these payments are intended to cover. In broad terms, child support is meant to help pay for everything that’s required to raise a child. Child support orders will vary from one case to the next, so if you’re curious about whether a certain expense is covered under your agreement, you should consult the order itself.

With that being said, a child support order usually covers the cost of basic needs like food, housing, utilities, clothing, and education, with the expectation that the parents will share the cost of any other expenses (such as those for sports, camps, and other extracurricular activities). But if the parents can’t agree on how to split those extra costs, then the court may account for those expenses in the order, as well. And because child support is also intended to cover the cost of the child’s health insurance, if one parent is paying for that, his or her remaining contribution will be adjusted accordingly.

What About Unexpected Medical Expenses?

From time to time, unexpected medical expenses will pop up. If the child gets sick, for instance, health insurance might not cover the entire cost of a doctor’s visit and any required medications, and the parents will be left to make up the difference. The child support order will likely specify the percentage that each parent is required to contribute to these expenses. So, if the order states that each parent is required to pay for 50% of these expenses, and the mother initially pays the total amount, she will need to notify the father, and then he will have to reimburse her for his share. The court might also treat childcare expenses the same way if they tend to vary from one month to the next.

The Family Law Firm to Choose in the Tampa Bay Area

If you’re in the midst of child support proceedings and you need the assistance of a skilled attorney, you can turn to the Law Offices of Audrey A. Jefferis, P.A. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We have offices in New Port Richey and Palm Harbor, so be sure to let us know which location is more convenient for you.