Two common questions by child support payors (or obligors) are what is my child support supposed to be used to pay for? Likewise, many people who receive child support (the payee or obligee) have a similar question: What does the child support cover with respect to the child’s expenses?
Whether you’re responsible for paying child support or for receiving it on behalf of your child, it’s important to understand what the courts intend the payments to cover. In New Jersey, basic child support payments cover more than you might expect. These expenses are actually set forth in the court rules in the section covering the child support guidelines.
The reality is that the child support you pay (or receive) is not nearly enough to cover all of the actual expenses for any child. However, the support is intended to cover a wide range of expenses across a wide range of categories. This blog discusses a few.
Housing
Fixed expenses such as housing costs can be one of the largest parts of a home budget, no matter your family circumstances. Child support includes a portion of the child’s share of expenses such as mortgage principal and interest payments, property taxes, renters’ insurance, repairs and maintenance, utilities, public services, lawn care, laundry and dry cleaning, furniture and appliances, household equipment, and housewares.
Food
Children eat a lot – especially those teenage boys! The cost of food, any food purchased for home consumption or purchased away from home, is included in the child support guidelines.
Medical expenses
Child support covers predictable and recurring unreimbursed healthcare expenses up to $250 per year per child. Generally, an agreement between parents will have a provision for parents to share medical expenses that are in excess of this amount based on their pro rata share of the total combined income.
Clothing
While there are specific rules about how much money parents should spend on clothing or what type of clothing child support should be spent on, the cost of clothing is included in the child support calculated under the guidelines. In addition, child support payments should include diapers, coats, school uniforms, shoes, and accessories. The child support guidelines do NOT cover special footwear for sports, such as cleats or ice skates. Often times, parents will have an agreement that provides for the sharing of expenses for equipment or uniforms for extra-curricular activities.
Transportation and Travel
Child support can be used to cover the costs associated with maintaining the parent’s vehicle in NJ. This would include expenses such as loan payments, insurance, gas, oil, maintenance, etc. This would also include the cost of public transit, parking fees, towing, tolls, etc.
Child support does not include the costs of purchasing a teenage child’s vehicle and insurance. Parents may agree to each pay for this expense in a written agreement, but it is an extraordinary expense.
Entertainment and Extracurriculars
The child support guidelines also include expenses relating to entertainment for children, including fees, memberships, admission to sports events, sports equipment, recreational events, TVs, mobile devices, sound equipment, toys, playground equipment, video games, photographic equipment, and hobbies.
Frequently, a parent who is responsible for paying support to another parent on behalf of their children may feel frustrated because she/he doesn’t believe that the money is actually paying for things for the child. That frustration may be expressed in various terms like “you are just spending the money on yourself.” It often leads to conflict between ex-partners.
Unfortunately, the person who receives child support is not obligated to provide an accounting to the other parent. However, if you read through the exhaustive list above, you will see that your child support dollars are not likely to go as far as you think. If you are paying $300 a week in child support, just consider the cost of rent or how much you would spend on a new winter coat. The reality is that it costs far more to raise the child(ren) than the amount of child support you are paying.
Rather than taking a hostile approach to the question, it is better to simply ask the other parent, “What did you spend on clothes for our son for school this year?” And then perhaps follow up with, “Can I help out with a few more dollars?” Remember to keep your focus on the children and foster a positive environment for you and your ex-partner to work together to make sure that the children have everything that they need.
If you have questions about child support or any co-parenting issues, contact the experienced attorneys at Baker Legal Group and schedule a consultation today. Call 908-860-9570 to schedule a consultation.