Will My Child Support Cover Extracurricular Activities, and Medical Costs Over Health Insurance?
When a marriage comes to an end but there are still family members who need to be taken care of at the same level that they were taken care of with two people in the home and the potential of two incomes, how will extracurricular activities and medical costs incurred over health insurance be paid? These are valid concerns for the custodial parent as they will bear the brunt of costs associated with daily living activities that may pop up regarding extracurricular activities, sports team memberships, eye glasses, dental visits, and orthodontics if they are needed.
What is child support according to South Carolina law?
Under the laws of South Carolina, both parents have a duty to support their children. Non-custodial parents, the ones who do not have custody on a regular basis, usually pay money to the custodial parent for the care, upkeep and well-being of the minor children. Duty to pay child support only extends until the children are 18 years of age or if a child does not graduate from high school until they are 19 years of age, the support must be maintained until that time.
South Carolina has a child support services office that is in charge of establishing amount of child support and enforcing the payment. This office is a resource for parents who need support from the other parent and may have difficulties: 1) locating absent parents, 2) establishing paternity when a child’s father was not named at birth, 3) establishing, modifying and enforcing orders of support, and 4) collecting support and distributing child support payments to custodial parents. It is important to know that you do not have to have formal, legal custody of your child to apply. The child does have to live with you, though, in order for you to be considered a custodial parent.
How is child support calculated? 
Child support amounts are based upon the calculations using in the South Carolina Child Support Guidelines, whereby each parent’s gross income and number of children they have will establish an amount of support with other considered factors such as alimony, medical expenses, work-related child care expenses, health insurance premiums and child tax credits. If the suggested guideline amount is not feasible due to some miscalculation or unforeseen repeating expenses, then a modification of the child support order can be entertained. Modifications are only appropriate if one party can support the claim of “a substantial change of circumstances” that affect income or time sharing whereby you would have more time with the child and incur the daily expenses that pop up.
Child support usually covers amounts of money that will pay for housing, food, education and insurance. Extracurricular activities, sports related team membership and medical and dental expenses over what the health insurance covers are items of special consideration in the marriage settlement agreement and can be addressed there. Child support needs to be addressed specifically based on the child or children, and how the funds will continue to support their needs at the present and into the future. Some marital settlement agreements will have the non-custodial parent considering paying child support through college and have other clauses specific to the divorce.
Legal counsel.
Seeking out legal counsel at Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC will benefit you as you navigate your way through the divorce, child custody and child support process. Every divorce is unique to the family at hand and hiring experienced family law attorneys is a prudent decision to make sure your child’s future is taken care of financially.
Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC
Company Location
870 Cleveland St, Suite 2D
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: 864-233-3100
Sources:
https://dss.sc.gov/child-support/
https://dss.sc.gov/child-support/how-to-apply/
https://dss.sc.gov/child-support/calculator/
