Paying and receiving child support is more complicated than one would think. While New York typically uses a percentage of the noncustodial parent’s income to determine child support amounts, sometimes there are circumstances when the custodial parent might request more. This can lead to disagreements among the parents, so it’s important to have a checklist in place so that both parents can see in detail all the expenses that come with parenting as well as any special expenses that a particular child may have. What Should be on the Checklist? Child support should cover all of the expenses of the child—not just the basics like food, clothing and shelter. The custodial parent should not have to be on the hook for educational expenses, extracurricular activities, medical bills, vacations, haircuts, child care and other expenses. In order to receive a fair amount of child support to cover the costs of raising the child, custodial parents should create a checklist that shows relevant expenses and how the other parent plans to contribute. Besides the necessities, child support may include housing expenses. Custodial parents may be able to ask for money for rent or a mortgage, especially if the child lives there the majority of the time. The noncustodial parent may also be asked to pay for transportation costs. This may be for bus fares or a portion of a car payment. Sometimes custodial parents may have to rely on daycare and babysitters to care for their children while they are at work. If this the case, the noncustodial parent should contribute toward these costs. The child also needs to have health insurance coverage. One of the parents must provide it. It is often cheaper to get it through work, so the parents should compare prices and the parent who can get it for a more affordable price should offer it. Health insurance does not cover every medical expense, however. Both parents should agree on how to pay for out-of-pocket expenses. School-related expenses should be included. If the child goes to private school, who pays for the tuition? Even if your child goes to a public school, there are still expenses to consider, such as school supplies, lunches and field trips. Outside of school, your child may be involved in sports and other extracurricular activities. Fees for registration, clothing and equipment can add up quickly, so find out how much you spend on these activities. Don’t forget about college expenses. Even if college is still a decade away for your child, include it in the child support plan now. Under New York law, both parents are required to support their children until age 21. Determine if either parent will pay for college expenses, and if so, how much. Coming up with a solution now will prevent disagreements down the road. Learn More About Creating a Child Support Checklist Parents should work together, as well with lawyers and the court, to create a child support plan that will cover their children’s expenses. This is especially important if the child has special needs, attends private school or has other extraordinary expenses. Get help today from an experienced family law attorney.
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