The deal on extracurriculars in post-divorce child support in Washington

Discussions on child support after a divorce don’t just cover the costs of food, clothing, shelter, education and healthcare. Other important expenses considered include travel, insurance and extracurricular activities.

Some parents put off paying for tennis lessons, guitar classes and painting sessions. But extracurriculars may help improve your child physically, emotionally, mentally and socially while they are coping with your divorce.

Who pays for the extracurricular fees?

The state of Washington requires both parents to shoulder their child’s finances. And when there is a divorce, a child support order must detail how they will split the bills for their kid’s expenses, including extracurriculars.

The Washington State Child Support Schedule is based on the parents’ net income, tax deductions and other factors like their total number of kids. It’s a case-to-case basis determined and decided by the court. Moreover, the court can update the support schedule to reflect revisions in your child’s needs and changes in net income.

Ensuring a complete child support order

It’s not enough that the court order mentions financial conditions for your child’s basic needs. It should also specify the funding for extracurricular activities even if you and your ex have verbally agreed on it.

The court-ordered contribution for basic needs may apply to extracurriculars. But it may also differ depending on the parents’ compromise for as long as the court approves it.

How long will you shoulder these costs?

The support order will end when your child finishes high school or turns 18, whichever takes place later. Special cases can sometimes extend it to cover fees for vocational school or college.

Going the extra mile for your child

When you and your ex include extracurriculars in the child support order filed with the Washington state family court, you don’t just add to your growing expenses. More importantly, you provide more opportunities for your kid to have new experiences, forge friendships and gain learnings – which are integral to child development.