How is Child Support Spent?

Child support, as its name implies, is money used to support a child.  Raising a child is expensive. Not only does a parent have to spend money on a child’s food, clothing, school supplies, and entertainment, but the parent has to have a larger home and vehicle and cover the expenses associated with these, like utilities and maintenance.  In addition to these expenses, a parent must either sacrifice promotions or hours at work to care for his or her child or spend money on childcare services.

When a couple with children divorces, a child support order is created to ensure that all of the children’s needs are met without creating an undue financial burden on one parent.  Multiple factors, such as the amount of time each parent spends with the children and each parent’s income, are considered when determining an appropriate child support amount.

Child Support is Spent on the Necessities a Child Needs

These necessities include food, transportation costs, utilities for the home, household goods, and academic needs like notebooks, pencils, and school clothing.  A child is not entitled to expensive toys or extracurricular activities if his or her parents cannot afford them, but if there is money for these luxuries, child support money may be spent on them.

If you are unsure about whether an item or service is actually a necessity, talk to your lawyer.  Your lawyer can break down the correct, legal uses of child support for you and determine whether your child support is being spent appropriately according to Florida law.

If You Think your Child Support is Not Being Spent on your Children

Speak with your lawyer about modifying your child support order to ensure that the money goes directly to your children.   It is difficult to prove that your former partner is not using the money you pay appropriately.  But if your children are being neglected, you need to take action.

Take note of what you need to purchase for your children when they are with you. If you frequently have to purchase food and household supplies to send with your children to the other parent, your former partner might not be spending the child support you pay appropriately.  Before talking to your lawyer, talk to your former partner.  Ask about how the money you pay is being spent and see if you can determine a budget for your children’s needs together. Sometimes, unexpected expenses pop up and need to be handled.  A good child support order addresses extracurricular expenses, uninsured medical, dental and orthodontic expenses in addition to child support.

Work with an Experienced Orlando Family Lawyer

To learn more about how child support is calculated and spent, contact Goodblatt · Leo  We are a team of experienced family and divorce lawyers who can answer any questions and address any concerns you have about how the child support you pay is being spent.  Contact our firm today to schedule your initial legal consultation in our office.

Resource:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html