What Does Child Support Cover?
Child support is money that a court says one parent must pay to the other to help take care of their child. In South Carolina, both parents are required by law to help support their child, no matter who has custody. In York County and across the state, courts usually follow the South Carolina Child Support Guidelines to decide how much support should be paid.
Knowing what child support is supposed to cover—and what the average monthly payment might be—can help both parents make sure their child has what they need. The goal is for the child to have a similar standard of living as if both parents were living together and earning money.
Basic Necessities of the Child
The core purpose of child support is to provide for the child’s essential living expenses. This includes items and services that are necessary for the child’s daily well-being. The parent who pays child support is helping cover the child’s basic needs, like food, clothes, and shelter. That’s why courts take it very seriously if an ex refuses to make their child support payments.
Covered necessities generally include:
- Food and groceries
- Clothing and shoes
- Basic utilities (electricity, water, gas)
- Housing expenses, including rent or mortgage
- Transportation costs related to school or visitation
These costs are already included in the regular child support amount based on South Carolina’s guidelines. Courts usually assume the parent who has custody spends the money directly or indirectly on the child’s needs. The money doesn’t have to be spent in a specific way, as long as it helps care for the child.
Healthcare and Medical Expenses
Health care costs are another essential component of child support. Under South Carolina Children’s Code § 63-17-470, at least one parent must provide health insurance coverage for the child if it is available at a reasonable cost. In some cases, both parents may share these costs proportionally.
Medical support may include:
- Health insurance premiums
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by insurance
- Dental and vision care
- Prescriptions and necessary medical devices
Usually, the cost of health insurance is part of the regular child support amount. But extra medical costs that aren’t covered by regular support can be added on and split between the parents based on how much money each one makes. Courts often require parents to split co-pays or deductibles not covered by insurance.
Educational and Extracurricular Costs
Even though school is very important for a child’s growth, the basic child support amount might not cover all public school costs. Courts can decide to add extra support for important school expenses based on how much money the parents have and what the child needs.
Educational-related expenses can include:
- School supplies and fees
- School uniforms, if required
- Tutoring services
- Educational testing
- Extracurricular activities (sports, music lessons, clubs)
South Carolina courts might look at private school tuition if both parents agreed to send the child there or if the child was already going to private school before the parents separated.
However, these costs are usually added only if they are seen as reasonable and needed. Things like sports or clubs aren’t usually considered necessary, but the court may include them if they help the child grow and the parents can afford to pay for them.
Childcare and Work-Related Expenses
When a custodial parent works or attends job training, child care may be necessary to ensure the child’s supervision. These costs are commonly considered in South Carolina child support determinations and may result in a higher support amount to reflect these additional expenses.
Eligible work-related expenses include:
- Daycare costs
- Before- and after-school care
- Summer camp (if it substitutes for regular care)
- Childcare is necessary for a parent to attend work
The parent incurring these expenses is typically responsible for documenting the costs. The court will look at the confirmed cost of childcare and include it in the child support calculation. Then, it will divide the cost between both parents based on how much each one earns. The goal is to make sure the child has safe care while the parent with custody can keep working.
Contact An Experienced Family Law Attorney at Minor Law Divorce Lawyers Can Help. Contact Us at (803) 504-0971
If you’re dealing with a child custody matter, we’re here to help. Contact our York County child custody lawyers at Minor Law Divorce Lawyers for a consultation today.
To learn more and get the help you deserve, please contact a family law lawyer at Minor Law Divorce Lawyers in Rock Hill, SC or contact us online today.
We proudly serve throughout York County.
Minor Law Divorce Lawyers
1273 Ebenezer Rd, Suite B,
Rock Hill, SC 29732
(803) 504-0971
