Special expenses

In addition to the support amount set out in the table, parents who pay support may be required to contribute toward certain added expenses.

These expenses may possibly include:

•	the cost of child care needed for the parent with custody to work or go to school
•	medical and dental insurance premiums for the child, health-related expenses for the child, such as orthodontic, prescription drug, therapy, or hearing aid costs
•	special expenses for a school or educational program to meet the child’s particular needs
•	expenses for post-secondary education for the child, and
•	special expenses for the child’s extracurricular activities

Before the court orders a parent to pay any of these expenses, or sets the amount of the payment, the court will consider whether the expense is necessary for the child’s best interests. It will also consider whether the amount of the expense is reasonable in relation to the financial resources of the parents and the children. If the parents used to live together, the court will also look at the spending pattern of the family before separation.

If the expense is necessary and reasonable, the parents are expected to share it in proportion to their gross incomes. This means that the income of the parent receiving support will be considered, along with the income of the parent paying support. And any contribution the child makes towards his or her own expenses will be deducted before the expense is divided between the parents.

At Russell Alexander, Family Lawyers our focus is exclusively family law. To find out more about our services, we invite you to contact us or call the firm at 1.866.647.6335