It can be difficult to budget for your child when their expenses seem to change every month. One month they need new clothes, and the next, they need school supplies. Then there are the big ticket items, like college application fees or private school tuition. How do you account for all of these expenses when child support is calculated?
How is Child Support Calculated?
Child support in New York is calculated based on the income of both parents and the number of children involved in the support order.
This calculation is made to provide for the child’s immediate needs, including:
- Food and shelter,
- Healthcare, but not including any medical needs outside of the payment of medical insurance,
- Clothing, and
- Basic educational expenses.
While there is a child support guideline parents must follow, parents can also agree to pay a larger amount to provide for their child’s needs not accounted for by the court, such as child care, tutoring expenses, extracurriculars, and more. This increased value must be approved by the court and determined to be in the child’s best interests, but with a trusted child custody attorney, your family can pursue a child support order that helps your children maintain their lifestyle after your split from their other parent.
How Can Additional Child Support Be Ordered?
While parents can agree on a larger child support value, the court also has the authority to order a value larger than the child support guideline to help the family maintain the status quo for the child. Additional child support can be ordered by the court for childcare costs, healthcare expenses, and additional educational needs, including tutoring, private school fees, or other educational expenses.
When it comes to educational expenses, there are a few things that are typically considered, including:
- School supplies,
- Registration fees for the SAT or ACT,
- College application fees,
- Tutoring,
- And other expenses to help further the child’s education.
Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law Family Law Attorneys
As your children grow up, their educational needs may change. Our family law attorneys understand that you may need assistance when providing your child with the educational tools they need to thrive, such as school supplies, tutoring, test-taking courses, or even registration for college admittance exams, such as the SAT or ACT.
Are you unsure what expenses your child support payments are meant to provide for? Schedule a consultation with one of our family law attorneys today by calling (914) 873-4410 or filling out our online contact form.