What Counts as “Regular” Child Support Expenses vs. Extras?
One of the most common co-parenting questions we hear is: “What expenses are considered part of child support, and what counts as the ‘extras’ that parents split outside of support?”
If you’re dividing costs based on income or negotiating who covers what, clarity matters. Without it, resentment builds fast. Let’s walk through the basics.
What Child Support Usually Covers
Child support is designed to cover a child’s basic, day-to-day needs, including:
Housing costs (rent or mortgage, utilities, household bills)
Groceries and meals
Clothing and shoes
School supplies and everyday educational needs
Transportation basics (gas, car insurance portion, public transit)
Medical insurance premiums (if included in the order)
In short: child support is meant to help maintain a stable home and provide the essentials kids need on a daily basis.
What’s Considered “Extras”
The “extras” are usually expenses outside of the basics—things that can vary greatly depending on each family. These often include:
Medical: uncovered medical or dental bills, therapy, orthodontics
Education: private school tuition, tutoring, special programs
Extracurriculars: sports, music lessons, clubs, uniforms, travel teams
College-related: tuition, room and board, books, transportation
Experiences: summer camps, vacations, enrichment programs
How these are split often depends on income, with some parents agreeing to a percentage split (like 70/30).
Why Clarity Matters
Without defining what falls into “support” versus “extras,” every field trip slip or soccer uniform becomes a potential conflict. Putting it in writing helps both parents budget realistically and prevents constant back-and-forth arguments.
A Gentle Reminder
Child support isn’t just about numbers—it’s about making sure your children feel secure, supported, and free to thrive. And while it can feel overwhelming to map it all out, the more detail you include in your agreement, the less room there is for future battles.
At Fresh Starts, we have co-parenting experts, attorneys, and financial professionals in our Expert Guide who can help you set up realistic child support agreements that cover both the basics and the extras.
If you’re preparing for divorce, download our free ebook, What to Consider When You’re Considering Divorce. It includes scripts, checklists, and compassionate advice to help you feel steady and informed through the financial side of co-parenting.
Your fresh start includes financial clarity—for you, and for your kids’ future.