What Is Included in Child Support? Guideline vs. Mandatory "Add-Ons"

A common point of confusion for parents is what "child support" actually pays for. Many parents are shocked to learn that the "guideline" amount ordered by the court is not meant to cover every single expense for their child. In Orange County, a child support order has two main parts: the "guideline" amount and the "add-ons." Understanding the difference is critical for your family's budget and for knowing what to ask for in court. This is why you need a child support attorney in Orange County to ensure all appropriate expenses are included in your order. At JOS FAMILY LAW, we make sure our clients have a complete and comprehensive support plan.

First, let's look at "Guideline Support." This is the base monthly amount calculated by the statewide formula. This number is intended to cover the child's basic needs and to ensure they share in the standard of living of both parents. This includes:

• Food
• Housing (rent/mortgage, utilities)
• Clothing
• Transportation
• Basic entertainment and incidentals

What guideline support does not include are major, specific expenses. This is where "add-ons" come in.

The law in California requires the court to order two "mandatory add-ons" in every child support case. These are costs that are in addition to the base guideline support.

1. Work-Related Childcare: The cost of daycare, after-school care, or a babysitter that a parent must pay in order to work or go to school is a mandatory add-on. This is one of the most significant expenses for parents of young children.
2. Health Insurance & Unreimbursed Medical Expenses: The court will order one parent to maintain health, dental, and vision insurance for the child. The premium for this is already factored into the guideline formula. However, the court will also order the parents to share the cost of all out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays, deductibles, and any medical needs not covered by insurance.

These two "mandatory" add-ons are typically split 50/50 between the parents, although a judge has the discretion to order a different split (e.g., in proportion to their incomes).

Finally, there is a third category: "discretionary add-ons." These are expenses the court can order, but is not required to. These must be argued for and are a key part of your attorney's job. These include:

• Private school tuition or school-related expenses.
• The cost of extracurricular activities, like sports, music, or camp.
• Travel expenses for visitation if the parents live far apart.

For a judge to order these, your attorney must prove that they are reasonable and in the child's best interest (e.g., the child has always attended private school, or is a high-level competitive athlete).

Without an attorney, many parents make the mistake of thinking the "guideline" number is the final number. They end up paying 100% of their child's medical bills and childcare costs, not knowing they had a legal right to be reimbursed for half.

To ensure your child support order is complete and includes all the add-ons your child is entitled to, contact the professionals at JOS FAMILY LAW.