What Expenses Are Covered by Child Support?

When parents divorce or separate, ensuring that their children continue to receive the financial support they need is one of the court’s (and the parents’) top priorities. That’s where child support comes in. In New Jersey, both parents share a legal responsibility to provide for their children financially, and child support is the mechanism that helps ensure this responsibility is met fairly.

At the Law Offices of John B. D’Alessandro, we help parents in Union, Essex, and Middlesex counties understand how child support works and what it is meant to cover. Whether you’re the parent paying child support or the one receiving it, knowing what these payments are supposed to cover—and what they don’t—can help you plan for your child’s wellbeing and avoid unnecessary disputes. See below for a general discussion, or contact our firm to discuss your particular situation with an experienced Union child support lawyer.

The Purpose of Child Support

The core purpose of child support is to help maintain the child’s standard of living as close as possible to what they would have experienced if their parents were still together. New Jersey uses detailed Child Support Guidelines that take into account both parents’ incomes, the number of children, and certain expenses. The resulting support amount is designed to cover a wide range of everyday costs.

What Does Basic Child Support Include?

Many parents are surprised to learn how broad child support coverage can be. Under New Jersey’s Child Support Guidelines, the basic support amount is intended to cover the following:

1. Housing and Shelter Costs
   This includes the child’s share of rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and household upkeep. Even though these expenses may benefit other family members too, they are considered part of providing a safe and stable home for the child.

2. Food and Groceries
   Child support covers the basic cost of feeding a child, including meals at home and snacks. It can also include school lunches and small food-related costs.

3. Clothing
   Ordinary clothing expenses are part of basic support. This covers everyday items like shirts, pants, shoes, seasonal clothing, and school uniforms.

4. Transportation
   Basic transportation costs are also included. This can mean the child’s share of car payments, gas, insurance, maintenance, and public transportation fares necessary for the child’s day-to-day activities.

5. Uninsured Health Care Expenses (Up to $250 Annually)
   Routine health care costs up to $250 per child each year—like co-pays for regular check-ups, over-the-counter medicine, and minor medical supplies—are generally built into the basic support calculation.

6. Entertainment
   Ordinary entertainment expenses such as movies, outings, television subscriptions, and internet access are assumed to be part of the basic child support amount.

7. Miscellaneous Personal Care
   This includes items like toiletries, haircuts, and other routine personal care expenses.

In short, the basic child support amount is meant to cover the typical day-to-day costs of raising a child.

What About Additional Expenses?

While the base child support obligation covers a lot, it does not cover everything. Some child-related costs are treated as add-ons that may be addressed separately in your child support order. Common examples include:

1. Childcare Costs
   If the custodial parent needs childcare so they can work or attend school, these expenses are typically shared proportionally based on each parent’s income. Childcare is often addressed outside of the base support figure.

2. Unreimbursed Medical Expenses Over $250
   Medical and dental expenses that exceed $250 per child each year are usually shared in proportion to each parent’s income. This can include things like braces, major procedures, or ongoing treatment for a chronic condition.

3. Educational Costs
   Basic school expenses are covered by regular child support, but special costs, such as private school tuition, tutoring, or college expenses, are not automatically included. Parents can agree on how to share these costs, or a judge can make an order addressing them.

4. Extracurricular Activities
   Activities like sports, music lessons, dance classes, or summer camps generally fall outside the basic child support figure. If your child participates in extracurricular activities that create significant costs, you may need a clear agreement or court order specifying how these expenses will be divided.

Do Parents Need to Keep Records?

Both parents should keep clear records of child support payments and how funds are spent. While the parent receiving support is not usually required to provide an accounting of every dollar, good records can help resolve misunderstandings and demonstrate that the money is being used for the child’s benefit.

When Parents Disagree About Expenses

Disputes about what is or is not covered by child support are common. For example, one parent may assume that extracurricular fees are included, while the other may see them as an extra cost to split. When disagreements arise, the language in your child support order or settlement agreement will guide the outcome.

For this reason, it’s essential to have a clear, detailed agreement that sets out not just the basic child support amount but also how you and your co-parent will handle additional expenses. If your current order is vague or no longer works for your family’s needs, you may need to seek a modification.

Get Guidance From a New Jersey Child Support Attorney

At the Law Offices of John B. D’Alessandro, we help parents navigate all aspects of child support, from establishing fair orders to enforcing payments and resolving disputes over extra expenses. If you have questions about what child support should cover or you need help modifying an order to better reflect your child’s needs, we’re here to help.

We proudly serve families in Union, Essex, and Middlesex counties. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and protect your child’s future with clarity and confidence.