Raising kids is expensive these days and many who are considering divorce worry about how they will cover miscellaneous expenses such as child care, health care and education for their child moving forward.
So that a child may continue on an established path and have their needs taken care of, in addition to basic child support, a court may order one or both parents to pay money toward necessary expenses for the benefit of their child.
These expenses may include:
Medical expenses not covered by insurance including co pays, deductibles, prescriptions or other costs incurred as a result of necessary medical treatment.
Child care that enables a parent to work or attend school so a parent can support a child
Educational expenses such as tuition or books for the child
Extracurricular activities like sports, music lessons or summer camps
A court will often order each parent to pay half toward these expenses or divide the costs in proportion to the parents’ income, with the parent of a higher income covering a greater portion of the costs.
Courts typically rule on extra expenses on a case by case basis, looking at the facts of your case to determine what is in the best interests of the child and each parent’s respective ability to pay.
If you are divorcing and have questions about how child support will help you to cover educational expenses, child care, extracurricular activities or medical expenses for your child, contact our experienced Libertyville, Illinois child support lawyer, Ronald L. Bell, for more information today at 847-495-6000.