Sometimes, although not often, a court will consider expenses which it may consider extraordinary, however that is the exception, not the rule. In most states, for example, the cost of dancing lessons, sports lessons, or other discretionary extracurricular activities, will not be taken into account when awarding child support.

Nor does the court usually really care how much rent you pay, how much your mortgage is, or what your other living expenses are. They really only care about income, number of children, and the time the children are with each parent. This often confuses people who live in states which require the parents to fill out lengthy and complicated income and expense forms. Why do they want to know your expenses if they aren't going to take them into account? It's a good question, and often it is a holdover from days when they did things differently, but you still have to fill them out.

Some exceptions to the above rule include the cost of child care if it is required during the custodial parent's work hours, or while they are going to school in an effort to create better job opportunities for themselves. In those situations, the non-custodial parent will often be ordered to pay part or all of that child care expense. The same will often hold true for medical expenses which are not covered by insurance, and if the children are not insured through the custodial parent's employment, the noncustodial parent may also be ordered to pay for medical insurance for the children.

Whether any of these exceptions will apply in your California family law matter will depend on various factors.  To schedule a consultation with any of our attorneys regarding your child support matters, please contact us by e-mail or by telephone at (916) 924-1867.