Does child support include tutor fees and extra activities after school?
Full Question:
Answer:
Either or both parties may be ordered to pay an amount reasonable and necessary for the support of any minor children of the marriage. The State of California has enacted child support guidelines which establish the presumptive correct amount of child support due. Deviation from the guidelines requires the court to state in writing why the application of the guidelines would be unreasonable or unjust, and:
1. The amount of support that would have been ordered under the guidelines;
2. The reasons for the deviation;
3. The reasons the support ordered is in the bests interests of the child.
Typically, child support guidelines distinguish between child-related expenses that are included in the basic child support award and entertainment-related expenses. Entertainment-related expenses are generally not included in basic child support awards. Thus, the non-custodial parent (one who does not have physical custody) does not have to contribute to the cost associated with extracurricular activities.
A court may award additional expenses. If the parties have sufficient financial resources, a court may require the non-custodial parent to pay for a share of the child(ren)'s extracurricular activities. If the parties have limited financial resources, a court will likely find that the cost of such activities should be covered by the basic child support award.
Courts typically rule on extra child support requests on a case-by-case basis, based on the non-custodial parent's income. A parent with a high income is more likely to have the court rule favorably on reasonable requests for extra child support for these additional expenses. If he/she is struggling to pay necessary living expenses or if he/she has started a new family, the court will likely rule that the additional expenses are covered by the basic support award.
