During divorce parents often ask what does child support cover? The following expenses are part of calculating child support:
- Basic Necessities-Food, Water, and Shelter
- Medical Care and Insurance
- Education-related expenses
- Childcare
- Extracurricular activities
- Transportation
- Anything else.
At Lipinski Law we often guide out clients through the process of determining child support.
Basic Necessities
Determining the child support budget is an part of divorce settlement. First, child support is should cover the basic living expenses. For example, according to the USDA a 2015, a family will spend approximately $12,980 annually per child in a middle-income ($59,200-$107,400), two-child, married-couple family for food shelter, and the basic necessities to raise a child through the age of 17. This doesn’t cover the cost of college either. Also, according to this website, nearly 30% of that expense goes towards housing expenses.
Medical Care and Insurance
Child support covers medical expenses.
Education Related Expenses
Whether your children go to public or private school, education is not cheap. There are many reasons for this. First, there is competition for admission. Parents are paying more for expensive private tutors and providing their children with the latest technology. Also, there are non-education-related expenses such as athletics, clubs, and organizations. According to gradepowerlearning.com, parents of higher-level athletes can spend up to $ 500 a month on travel and team fees. Most parents have to pay for at least one after-school activity or another. These expenses should be addressed as part of the overall child support expenses.
Does Child support cover Childcare?
Childcare is an expense. It should be in child support orders. Epi.org says that parents paid about $42 billion in childcare. Infants, toddlers, preschool age and school-age children all have childcare needs. Moreover, it is important to say what hope you want for the age of your child(ren). For example, toddlers (12-36 months) learn rapid talking skills, and your child care worker should help with this.
Child Support and Stimulus Check
Can the stimulus or economic impact payments (EIP) rebate it can be taken to pay for child support? The good or bad news depending on your case is no. cnet.com says “you’re past due on child support, you can still receive your full stimulus payment. It won’t be redirected to cover late support payments. This is true for any past-due federal or state debts: Your third payment is not subject to reduction or charge.”
Next, should it be treated as income? First, it would make sense to include for this support. On the other hand, it could also say that these payments are one time only and should not be included in the long term support duty.
If you have questions regarding child support covers please contact Joel Lipinski at 727-643-8964 or fill out the form below.
