Learn More>>Child Support>> Extraordinary Expenses

The Child Support Obligation Table includes average child rearing expenditures for families given the Parents' Combined Adjusted Income and number of children. "Extraordinary expenses" are in excess of average amounts estimated in the Child Support Obligation Table and are highly variable among families. Extraordinary expenses shall be considered on a case-by-case basis in the calculation of support and may form the basis for Deviation from the Presumptive Amount of Child Support so that the actual amount of the expense is considered in the calculation of the Final Child Support Order for only those families actually incurring the expense. Extraordinary expenses shall be prorated between the Parents.

Educational expenses.

Extraordinary educational expenses may be a basis for Deviation from the Presumptive Amount of Child Support. Extraordinary educational expenses include, but are not limited to, tuition, room and board, lab fees, books, fees, and other reasonable and necessary expenses associated with special needs education or private elementary and secondary schooling that are appropriate to the Parent's financial abilities and to the lifestyle of the Child if the Parents and the Child were living together.

 In determining the amount of Deviation for extraordinary educational expenses, scholarships, grants, stipends, and other cost-reducing programs received by or on behalf of the Child shall be considered.

Special expenses incurred for child rearing.

Special expenses incurred for child rearing, including, but not limited to, quantifiable expense variations related to the food, clothing, and hygiene costs of children at different age levels, may be a basis for a Deviation from the Presumptive Amount of Child Support. Such expenses include, but are not limited to, summer camp; music or art lessons; travel; school sponsored extracurricular activities, such as band, clubs, and athletics; and other activities intended to enhance the athletic, social, or cultural development of a Child but not otherwise required to be used in calculating the Presumptive Amount of Child Support as are Health Insurance premiums and Work Related Child Care Costs. A portion of the Basic Child Support Obligation is intended to cover average amounts of special expenses incurred in the rearing of a Child. In order to determine if a Deviation for special expenses is warranted, the Court or the jury shall consider the full amount of the special expenses as described in this division; and when these special expenses exceed 7 percent of the Basic Child Support Obligation, then the additional amount of special expenses shall be considered as a Deviation to cover the full amount of the special expenses.

Extraordinary medical expenses.

In instances of extreme economic hardship involving extraordinary medical expenses not covered by insurance, the Court or the jury may consider a deviation from the Presumptive Amount of Child Support for extraordinary medical expenses. Such expenses may include, but are not limited to, extraordinary medical expenses of the child, a parent, or a child of a parent's current family.

However, any deviation shall not act to leave a Child unsupported and may be ordered for a specific period of time measured in months.

When extraordinary medical expenses are claimed, the Court or the jury shall consider the resources available for meeting such needs, including sources available from agencies and other adults.

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