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Child Support Expenditures

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Couples with children face unique difficulties when it comes to divorce, one of which is child support. It is not uncommon for a divorced Florida parent to struggle financially after ending a marriage with his or her child’s other parent. In these cases, the custodial parent is often awarded child support payments, which are sent by the child’s other parent and are intended to ensure that the child is provided for.

These payments can be used not only to provide for a child’s basic needs, but for anything that actually benefits the child. Still, it is important to have a thorough understanding of how child support payments can be used, so if you are currently going through a divorce, or are already divorced and receive child support payments on behalf of your child, it is important to contact an experienced child support attorney who can ensure that you comply with the state’s rules and procedures regarding child support.

Housing Expenses  

Child support can be spent on almost anything that actually benefits the child, which means that parents are not limited to using the money only to cover a child’s basic needs, although these are obviously included. Part of a child support check, for instance, can be used to cover housing expenses for the child, including:

  • A percentage of the monthly mortgage or rent payment;
  • A percentage of renters or homeowners insurance premiums;
  • A percentage of the family’s monthly utility bills; and
  • The portion of the funds needed to pay for home maintenance.

Housing expenses vary depending on a family’s specific circumstances, so if you have questions about what your child support payments can be used for when paying for housing costs, you should strongly consider speaking with a family law attorney who can advise you.

Vehicle Costs  

Although you may not immediately think about transportation costs and vehicle expenses when you think about childcare costs, the reality is that transportation is often one of a child’s basic needs, so if you provide most of your child’s transportation, you could use a portion of your child’s support payments to:

  • Cover a percentage of a monthly car payment;
  • Pay for a percentage of the auto insurance premiums you owe;
  • Pay for the expenses related to maintaining your vehicle, including gas costs, replacing or repairing tires, or changing the oil; and
  • Cover the cost of repairs.

Nonessential Needs  

Not all of a child’s expenses are related to essential needs. Fortunately, most child support payments go much further than what would be required to provide only for those basic needs, as these payments are also intended to cover various school expenses, such as uniforms and supplies, as well as the cost of extracurricular activities. In fact, child support can be used to cover the costs of almost any activity that directly benefits a child, including expenses related to summer camps, vacations, amusement parks, eating out, and even going to the movies.

Call Today for Legal Assistance  

For help determining what you can use your child support payments for, please contact dedicated Fort Lauderdale child support attorney Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. at 954-945-7591 today. You can also reach a member of our legal team by completing one of our brief online contact forms.

https://www.sandrabonfiglio.com/when-do-child-support-obligations-end/

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