A child support order is often used during a divorce, especially if there is an income discrepancy between the parents or if they are going to have different amounts of parenting time or physical custody. Child support is used to balance out the financial obligations, giving the child the level of support they would have had during the marriage.
But disputes can sometimes arise over how the support money should be spent and what it can be used for. Below are a few examples of approved expenditures.
The child’s basic needs
As a general rule, child support money should always be spent in a way that benefits the child, including covering their basic needs like shelter, clothing or food. Support payments can be used for a portion of mortgage or rent payments, for instance, or to buy new clothes at the start of a school year.
Medical care
Children often need even minor amounts of medical care, such as checkups and vaccinations, when they are very young. They also may need medical assistance in an emergency, such as if a child crashes their bike and breaks their arm. Child support can be used to provide for their medical needs.
Educational costs
As children get older, they are going to incur certain educational costs. This could include transportation to and from school or costs for extracurricular activities. It often includes school supplies like books, notebooks, pens and pencils or even electronic devices like laptops or tablets.
Resolving a dispute
When child support disputes occur, they can become fairly contentious and complicated. Parents who are going through this process need to understand their rights and the legal options they have.