When couples in California part ways, one of the biggest concerns is how child support is structured, especially what expenses it covers. As a child custody and divorce attorney serving La Mesa and the surrounding communities, our team at The Law Offices of Andrea Schneider sees many clients asking the same question: what does the guideline support include, and what costs must be agreed upon separately?
Guideline Child Support: What Is Included
California law requires that both parents contribute to their children's financial needs. When courts calculate “guideline” child support, certain basic expenses are presumed to be part of the support.
The guideline amount is determined using a formula that considers:
- Each parent’s income, including wages, bonuses, and sometimes other sources of income.
- How much time the child spends with each parent (timeshare or visitation)
- Health insurance costs for the child; often premiums are included in the guideline.
- Other mandatory deductions include retirement, taxes, and any support from other dependents.
These guideline amounts are intended to cover routine, ongoing expenses such as housing costs, such as rent or mortgage payments, that provide shelter for the child, food, clothing, utilities, and other daily necessities. They also include medical care to the extent that insurance premiums are involved, with some routine medical expenses factored into the guideline formulas.
Additional Expenses: What Requires Extra Agreements or Add-Ons
There are many costs that go beyond what the guideline child support automatically covers. These “add-on” expenses must usually be expressly included in the support order (either by agreement of both parents or by court order) because they aren’t part of the base guideline calculation.
Some of these are:
- Childcare Costs - Expenses for daycare or supervision when parents are working, attending school, or completing training. These are often divided between parents based on income.
- Uninsured Medical Expenses - Out-of-pocket costs such as co-pays, deductibles, orthodontics, dental, vision care, or therapies not covered by insurance. These are not automatically included in guideline support unless specified.
- School-Related Costs - Fees and supplies that go beyond standard public education, including field trips, uniforms, technology, and classroom materials. Private school tuition typically requires a separate agreement.
- Extracurricular Activities - Costs for sports, music, dance, camps, and similar activities. These are generally not part of guideline support and must be negotiated between parents.
- Travel for Visitation - Transportation expenses incurred when children must travel between homes or to visit the noncustodial parent, which may be addressed separately in the support order.
How Orders Are Structured and Why You Need a Divorce Attorney
Because of these gray areas, having a divorce attorney who is experienced in California family law, especially in a case with child custody, can make a significant difference.
At The Law Offices of Andrea Schneider, our clients are guided through crafting child support orders that:
- Clarify exactly which additional expenses are included
- Establish how those expenses will be divided (for example, proportionally according to income)
- Decide whether the parent is to pay those costs directly or reimburse the other parent
Also, if a parent’s financial situation changes, or the child’s needs increase (new medical issues, school or activity needs), the order may be modified. Courts permit modifications when circumstances have changed significantly.
Key Takeaways for Parents in La Mesa
If you are dealing with child custody or divorce in La Mesa:
- Review the guidelines for child support carefully. Understand what is automatically included (basic living costs, insurance, etc.).
- Identify non-routine or large costs ahead of time. Think about school fees, extracurriculars, travel, and medical costs beyond insurance.
- Negotiate or request inclusion in your support order. Do not assume that all desired costs will be covered unless they are spelled out.
- Consult a child custody attorney. Attorney Andrea Schneider will help protect your rights and get orders that reflect your child’s actual needs.
If you have questions about your own situation, what your support order covers, what you might need to add, or how to modify the order, feel free to reach out to The Law Offices of Andrea Schneider. With decades of experience in divorce, child support, and child custody, we help families in La Mesa and throughout San Diego navigate these decisions clearly and effectively.
To schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with us, reach out online or dial (619) 304-8499 today.