© 2024 Law Office of Sarina Gianna, LLC.
All rights reserved. Attorney advertising.
Is Daycare Included in Child Support in New Jersey?
Turning one household into two can be challenging when a couple with children decides to dissolve their union. During a marriage, both parents share childcare responsibilities. However, childcare as a single parent can be a significant financial burden. According to research, over half of working Americans pay over $10,000 a year for childcare. Whether childcare includes daycare, summer camp, before or after-school programs, or babysitters, the cost can be overwhelming, especially for custodial parents working. That said, the court will often order the non-custodial parent to provide child support to the custodial parent to cover the costs of the child’s necessities. The court believes that children should benefit from receiving the same financial support they would have received if their parents had stayed together. Parents often wonder what exactly is included in a child support order. Please continue reading to learn if daycare is covered and how a compassionate Ocean County Child Support Attorney can help you fight for the support your family deserves.
What Does Child Support Cover in New Jersey?
Regardless of whether you’re responsible for paying child support or for receiving it on behalf of your child, it’s crucial to understand what the payments are intended to cover. In New Jersey, a basic child support order covers:
- Housing
- Food
- Medical Expenses
- Clothing
- Transportation
- Entertainment and extracurriculars
Child support is intended to cover a wide range of a child’s needs to ensure their healthy growth and development. However, depending on the specific circumstances of your case, the court may include other costs to preserve the child’s best interests. It’s crucial to note that you can make a formal agreement to outline how you will split costs for:
- Health insurance
- Costs associated with special needs
- Private education
- College expenses
- Special celebrations (like a bat mitzvah)
- travel expenses related to holiday parenting time
- Work-related childcare
Can Child Support Cover Daycare Costs?
Every case is unique, meaning that not every child support obligation will be the same. For some, daycare may be included in a child support award. However, this is only the case if it is considered a work-related childcare cost. If the custodial parent has to leave their child in the care of another to go to work, this counts as a work-related childcare cost and can be included in a child support order. If you leave your child in the care of a babysitter to go out with your friends, that is not considered a work-related childcare cost, but the time the babysitter spends caretaking while you are at work will count. Any childcare during working hours can be included in a child support payment.
If you need assistance resolving childcare payments, please don’t hesitate to contact a determined Ocean County child support attorney. At the Law Office of Sarina Gianna, LLC, we are prepared to represent your interests today.
