You don't need to be a child support attorney to understand that issues relating to child support are complex and sometimes even contentious. To create a mutually acceptable plan and help your child, it’s imperative that you understand what child support is meant to cover and its intended purpose. Below are a few insights to help you know what to expect.

A Guide to Child Support

Why Child Support Exists

Child support is intended to protect children from the financial impacts of divorce and cover the essential costs of a raising a child. While ideas about what constitutes an essential cost are subjective, child support attorneys and family courts tend to define it as any costs required to cover the basic needs of the child. Bear in mind that this goes beyond just food, shelter, and clothing; a child also has a variety of other needs, including educational, recreational, and medical ones. Child support is never meant to be used to pay any bills of the custodial parent that are not related to the child's care and growth.

What Child Support Covers

The goal of all child support is to ensure your child enjoys the same quality of life that they would have enjoyed had you and your ex remained together. Different children have different needs and requirements, but there are some commonalities to all care for minors. In addition to the above-mentioned food, shelter, and clothing, it typically covers medical treatments, educational costs, childcare fees, and essential transportation expenses. If custody is shared, expenses are typically divided according to the amount of time the child spends with a parent. 

What’s Optional

In some cases, child support may cover enrichment or extracurricular activities. Many parents also contribute to college expenses as part of their obligations, though this is typically not a requirement since most children will reach the age of majority by the time they’re ready to attend. Vacations and entertainment costs are also not typically factored into child support, though you may contribute if you wish. A child support attorney will help ensure your payments are fair given the totality of the circumstances. 

If you’re a parent who has recently split with your partner and are unsure about the costs needed to raise a child, it’s wise to consult a child support attorney. For expert advice, turn to Michael A. Newland Law Office. For over 20 years, this skilled attorney has been serving Hamilton County, OH, in family law matters. He’ll provide the proactive representation you need to reach an equitable child support agreement. Call (513) 887-9595 or visit his website to schedule a consultation.