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Does Child Support Cover Medical Expenses?
In the Garden State, child support is crucial for providing children with financial stability following a separation or divorce. Despite no longer living together, parents who split are still responsible for financially supporting their children until they reach the age of emancipation. This obligation can sometimes extend beyond that and well into college. As such, it’s crucial to understand what expenses child support can cover. Parents often assume that the state will limit expenses to basics like food, clothing, and shelter. However, the court recognizes that certain costs are necessary for a child’s growth and development. Please continue reading to learn what expenses child support covers in New Jersey and how a trusted Ocean County Child Support Attorney can help meet your child’s needs.
What Expenses Does Child Support Cover?
As mentioned above, child support ensures that both parents contribute to their children’s upbringing. The New Jersey Child Support Guidelines are structured to cover the expenses necessary to raise a child and preserve their best interests. It can cover various costs, including but not limited to:
- Basic necessities: When courts order a non-custodial parent to pay child support, it primarily covers the basic needs required for a child’s well-being. Children need food, proper clothing for each season, and a safe and comfortable living place. Therefore, these funds can purchase groceries and apparel and cover the child’s shelter needs.
- Educational expenses: Support payments can contribute to school fees, including tuition, uniforms, textbooks, supplies, lunch money, and tutoring costs.
- Childcare expenses: When the custodial parent requires childcare servers to work or attend school, child support can help cover these expenses. This includes daycare, after-school programs, summer camps, babysitters, nannies, etc. The court recognizes that parents should be able to maintain employment while ensuring their children receive proper care and supervision.
- Transportation: Child support can include provisions for travel costs, including gas fees, car payments, registrations, and instruction. Additionally, it can cover public transportation fares or other forms of transportation to transport children between residences, to and from school, or to participate in extracurricular activities.
- Special needs: In cases where a child has special needs, the child support guidelines can be adjusted to accommodate the additional costs associated with meeting those needs.
- Entertainment and recreational activities: In some cases, support payments can include provisions to contribute to the child’s entertainment and recreational activities, such as sports, music lessons, or other extracurricular pursuits, as these activities are crucial for a child’s development.
Can a Custodial Parent Spend Support Payments on Medical Expenses?
Child support can be used to pay for a child’s medical expenses. The court recognizes children should have access to essential healthcare, such as routine check-ups, vaccinations, and any unforeseen medical needs. Therefore, a custodial parent can use child support to cover health insurance premiums, co-pays, and out-of-pocket uninsured medical costs. It’s important to note that the parent with better employer-based health insurance will provide coverage for their child.
If you need assistance with child support matters in New Jersey, please don’t hesitate to contact the Law Office of Sarina Gianna, LLC. Our legal team is prepared to help you fight for the support you need to meet your child’s needs.