Does Child Support Cover Your Kid’s Extracurricular Activities?
The child support system keeps changing, which can make it difficult for you to keep track of how much to pay and how the amount benefits your child. There is a wide range of hobbies and activities to keep kids busy today. This can sometimes add to the confusion regarding the child support issue.
You should know your rights and obligations whether you receive or pay child support. A dedicated child support attorney can help you determine what the child support is for and how it is calculated.
What Do Extracurricular Activities Mean?
Extracurricular activities include a wide range of clubs, hobbies, and lessons that a kid may take part in. These activities, for the purpose of child support, include any optional activities that are outside of school hours. It may include:
- Music lessons
- Girl or boy scouts
- Clubs
- Team or individual sports
- Academic competition
- Dance and gymnastics
- Academic competitions
- Foreign language lesson
Using Child Support
Custodial parents are provided with broad discretion intentionally for using child support. This is to cover the needs of the child in any manner they deem fit. The money provided can be used for most basic needs, such as clothing, food, medical care, and shelter. It can also be used for covering field trip costs, educational fees, and after-school childcare expenses. Child custody can be used for covering extracurricular activities as a result.
However, child support calculation is flexible and varies. Children from high-net-worth families tend to participate in expensive extracurricular activities. The non-custodial parent in such cases may be required to pay extra child support for covering these activities.
Parents with Joint Custody
The situation becomes even more complicated regarding extracurricular activities payment when the parents share joint custody of the child. The court, in this case, may order both parents to split the additional cost. The court may grant child support in cases where there is a significant income gap between the parents. However, it is less likely for the court to award child support if both parents share the child’s time equally.
One Parent Disagrees with Extracurricular Activity
Paying for extracurricular activities through child support can get complicated if either of the parents is not on board with the extracurricular activity. It’s essential to note that the ultimate decision of how the child support is going to be used falls on the custodial parent. The non-custodial parent has slight room to make an argument for or against a specific extracurricular activity if the parents share the child’s legal custody.
However, the custodial parent is usually given the freedom to choose the expenses that will be covered by the child support payment. Non-custodial parents may end up with frustration and a negative court outcome if they try and fight this.
Oftentimes, parents can avoid courtroom fights by maintaining open lines of communication for discussing issues related to their children. The custodial parent can always speak with the non-custodial parent about an extracurricular activity before signing the child up. Parents can also use lawyers to discuss various available options and choose one that is convenient and affordable for all parties involved.
Discuss Your Concerns with an Alabama Child Support Attorney
Child support is one of the most complicated and contested topics between divorced parents. It is also a common source of arguments and disagreements. This is why it is vital for you to understand your obligations and rights as a parent, regardless of whether you are custodial or non-custodial.
The seasoned family law attorneys at Smith Law Firm are here to help you whether you have concerns regarding child support payments or any other part of the parenting agreement. Contact us at 334-702-1744 or use our online form to set up an appointment with one of our experienced attorneys.
