[laurenforrest]

I live in Illinois. Does child support cover school registration and supplies for children under the age of 17?

[MsMewiththat]

It really depends on what is defined in the support order. Some will ask that the non custodial parent pay a percentage on top of the 25% income. It truly depends on your individual court order and your state.

[08_777444]

The individual paying child support is not legally obligated to pay for registration, school supplies, school clothes, books, etc. in addition to the child support unless the court order states so. If you do not have a court order stating that the other parent is to pay for school expenses, then the other parent is forever relieved of the obligation. You could always go back to court to try and have school expenses bargained into the order, but that would probably cost a few.

The circumstances vary with each individual case, but it is usually left up to the parent who receives the child support to purchase any school related items for the child. It is assumed that the child support will be allocated to such expenses if you did not request them in addition to the child support.

As a matter of fact, the other parent does not have a legal obligation to purchase any additional items for the child whatsoever, related to school or otherwise, unless it is stated in the court order. They don't even have to buy the child Christmas presents or birthday presents if they don't want to. The only thing they are legally obligated to pay is their child support. The other parent should help, but if they don't want to, that is their prerogative.

I believe in presence over presents, so if the other parent is there for their child in every other way, and they do pay their support on time, I would purchase the items myself… but that is only because I don't like to argue, I wouldn't like to see my kids go without, and I don't like going to court.

Good luck.