Wheaton Child Expenses Lawyer

Lawyers for Children's Extracurricular Activities, Childcare, and Medical Expenses in DuPage County

Child support is intended to help parents meet their child's needs in the wake of a divorce, breakup, or separation. Under Illinois law, an order for child support is meant to assist with the child's most basic requirements, such as a place to live, clothes to wear, and food to eat. At Goostree Law Group, however, we understand that there are many other costs involved in raising a child. Our attorneys are equipped to help you receive the support you need for additional expenses such as extracurricular activities, medical care, and child care.

Wheaton Legal Help for Child Support Proceedings

Illinois law provides that an order for child support should be calculated with consideration given to the income of both parents. To make the calculation, an Illinois court will use tables developed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to find a "basic support amount." The basic support amount is the amount of money that an intact family would be expected to spend on their child or children based on the parents' combined income and the number of children. This amount would then be divided between the parents based on their contributing percentage of income, with parenting time arrangements taken into account as well. Before the basic support amount is divided, however, the court has the discretion to add to it so that other necessary costs are covered as well.

These costs include:

• Extracurricular activities: Illinois law recognizes that extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, and scouting are intended to help a child's development. To account for the costs of extracurricular activities, the court may add them to the basic support amount, or the court may order one parent to pay a portion of the costs for such activities directly to the school or organizer.
• Medical expenses: Medical expenses include both health insurance premiums and any unreimbursed expenses for care received. One or both parents may be ordered to contribute toward health insurance coverage. Likewise, one or both parents may be required to help cover expenses such as the cost of braces, glasses, or prescription medication. Such amounts may be added to the basic support amount or paid on an as-needed basis.
• Childcare: If the parent with the majority of the parenting requires childcare in order to maintain a job, the costs of the required childcare may be added to the basic support amount. Alternatively, the court could require each parent to make separate payments to the childcare provider. Childcare costs must be reasonable and necessary.

At Goostree Law Group, our attorneys understand that child support disputes can be complicated and intensely personal. We will work with you to ensure that your rights are protected without compromising the best interests of your child.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you have questions about your child support order, or you would like to have additional line items added to your existing order, contact our office. Call 630-364-4046 for a free, confidential consultation today. With locations in Wheaton and St. Charles, our firm serves clients in DuPage County and the surrounding areas.