Financially supporting one’s child or children following divorce can prove challenging for some primary custody holders. The state of Massachusetts requires that both parents continue to provide for their children after a marriage ends and may order one parent to pay child support to the other. What can the parent who receives this support use the money for?
Child support is meant to cover a child’s basic needs. So, it can be used to pay for housing, food, transportation costs, school expenses, clothing and medical care. If childcare is needed, the child support funds can also be used to cover that expense.
The income of both parents is used to calculate a child support amount, as is the number of children requiring support. From this little bit of information, a base support amount can be set. As every family’s needs and economic situations are different, the state cannot just pick a support amount and use it in every case. When income allows, various extra expenses may also be covered with child support funds. Extra expenses that may be covered by child support include:
- Extracurricular activities
- Entertainment
- College expenses
- Standard of living upkeep
Establishing a fair child support order that truly supplies a child with everything that is needed can be difficult. Both parents are likely to have different ideas as to what, outside of the basics, should be covered. Legal counsel can assist Massachusetts residents is achieving support orders that are fair for the parents and beneficial for the children.
