[chrissi]

What expense for a child does child support cover?

[justcurious55]

Clothing and food are the two necessities that come to mind. But if there's money left over after that things like school supplies for the child, toys for the child. I've heard of a lot of orders ordering that one parent or the other pays for health insurance. Or both parent split child care costs. But if there's nothing in the order for things like that then child support could go towards those things.

Why do you ask?

[stevetcg]

It covers whatever the custodial parent chooses to spend the money on.

[stinawords]

Not all states, but some (like mine) the judge can order the cp to account for all support money if the ncp requests because he/she thinks the money is not helping the child. In this situation every penny has to tie to the child. It really isn't that hard though because it can be for food, cloths, shelter, heat, hair cuts, tylenol, etc. etc. as long as it is linked directly to the child. It can also benefit others in the house i.e.. The heat would benefit more than just that child but it is still tied to that child.