Paying For Extra Expenses Not Covered In Child Support Order

divorce lawyer Alex DurstQuestion:

My child support order requires me to cover medical expenses and costs related to my child’s hockey team in addition to normal child support.

My ex-wife just sent me receipts looking for reimbursement for things like prom tickets, school testing fees, yearbook picture expenses, etc.

Since those extra expenses are not mentioned in my child support do I have to pay them? Isn’t that what child support is supposed to cover?

Answer:

I am unable to give you legal advice on divorce. I can give general divorce help for men, though, my knowledge is based on Ohio divorce laws where I am licensed to practice.

In general, when a child support order is in place, the person who is ordered to pay child support generally only has to pay the amount the court requires him or her to pay.

They generally do not have to pay specific expenses, unless the child support order (or another court order) expressly requires them to do so.

In your case, you were order to pay child support (presumably a specific amount per month) and were specifically ordered to pay hockey expenses and school expenses.  It does not appear that prom tickets, school testing fees, or yearbook pictures are medical expenses or expenses to do with hockey.

Therefore, unless a court has specifically ordered you to pay these expenses – which from what you have told me does not appear to be the case – it would appear that you are not required to pay them.

Read Related Article:

What Does Child Support Cover?

Remember, I am unable to provide you with anything more than divorce tips for men, so please consult with a divorce lawyer in your jurisdiction.

To arrange an initial consultation to discuss divorce rights for men with a Cordell & Cordell attorney, including Ohio Divorce Lawyer Alexander J. Durst, contact Cordell & Cordell.

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One comment on “Paying For Extra Expenses Not Covered In Child Support Order

    Can’t I live too?
    I am ordered to pay child support and pay for my 2 children’s healthcare. We all know how expensive that can be. The problem is after support, healthcare, taxes, union dues and half of any school fees, there isn’t enough to even pay my rent. If it wasn’t for my mother I would be homeless. I cant live with mom forever. How can the courts do this? By the way, my ex wife works full time and makes decent money. I’m all for supporting my children, that a love endlessly, but when I see her foolishly spending the support money on herself when my children need things like shoes or clothes that fit, I get upset. Isn’t there any justice for this? It’s so bad I had to file bankruptcy. I’m having a hard time even paying that. My lawyers tell me that’s just how it is…

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