Does Child Support Cover Your Kid’s Extracurricular Activities?

In its most basic definition, the purpose of child support is to provide food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention. Child support payments are ordered to help a custodial parent pay for the daily necessities of a child. Money for extracurricular activities is not included in the initial child support order, but that doesn’t mean you can’t request it.

Figuring out whether child support covers your kid’s extracurricular activities is typically considered on a case-by-case basis since each family situation is different. When you’re ready, speak with a Rancho Cucamonga family lawyer about your options.

California Family Code

Contrary to popular belief, several other types of costs can be added to basic child support even if they are not specifically listed in California Family Code section 4062. Some examples include the court-ordered cost of private schools, tutors, travel expenses beyond normal visitation, health insurance, and yes, sometimes extracurricular activities.

That said, if the judge that’s hearing your case strictly adheres to the statutes, your request could be denied. Even so, you should consider asking anyway. Some judges will make the approval if your request is considered reasonable or may be straight forward and ask the other parent in court if they want to agree to it.

When facing a judge, your spouse may say yes even if they first told you no. Most people want to seem cooperative in the courtroom setting, so you might be awarded money for extracurricular activities after all.

Even if the judge denies you, simply asking won’t affect your case. So the question becomes why not ask for additional money for extra support that would benefit your child? The judge will not frown upon your request, especially if your kid has been taking part in the activity on a regular basis and would be otherwise deprived of it.

In joint custody arrangements, however, if you and your ex both put money toward your child’s extracurricular activities, neither of you can use child support to pay for them.

The Role of a Divorce Attorney

Some people facing divorce think lawyers are only for dealing with child support arrears or the division of large estates, but there are multiple ways a lawyer can be beneficial, not the least of which is avoiding having your kid’s extracurricular activities go uninterrupted. 

Children’s opportunity to play sports or master a musical instrument may not seem important to you, but it means the world to your child. So let’s do something about it. 

Basically, the order for child support does not have a section that specifies payments that will be used for extracurricular activities, so you would have to ask the court for a modification to the order. This request can be made through a motion filed by your lawyer for child support. Your spouse’s attorney would then respond. 

Talk to a Family Attorney About Child Support

Does child support cover your kid’s extracurricular activities? Maybe! Reach out to The Law Office of Laurence J. Brock through the online form or call 909-466-7661. Hey, doesn’t your kid have a baseball game coming up?