In Arizona, child support payments are intended to cover the basic financial needs of a child, which include expenses for food, clothing, shelter and routine medical care. The calculation of these payments is governed by set guidelines that factor in the income of both parents and the needs of the child. 

However, not all expenses that arise during the course of raising a child are covered by regular child support payments. The following costs fall outside the scope:

• Extraordinary medical and dental expenses — While child support covers ordinary healthcare needs, it does not extend to extraordinary or uninsured medical expenses, such as orthodontics, surgery, therapy, or chronic illness-related costs. These may be addressed through court orders or mutual agreements, requiring parents to share these costs proportionally to their incomes.

• Educational expenses — Tuition for private school, tutoring or special education programs is considered an extraordinary expense. If both parents agree the child should attend a private institution or participate in enrichment programs, the resulting costs are usually split according to an agreement or a court order, based on each parent’s ability to pay.

• Childcare costs beyond basic support — Standard child support covers basic childcare costs when the custodial parent is working or seeking employment. Yet, expenses for preschool or afterschool care are not typically encompassed by the base child support calculations. These can significantly contribute to a child’s development but fall outside basic maintenance.

• Extracurricular activities — Sports, summer camps, music lessons, dance classes, art programs, youth groups and other extracurricular activities are not accounted for in routine child support payments. Whether or not to support these activities and how to pay for them is usually determined through parental negotiation and stipulated in the divorce settlement.

• Travel and transportation expenses — If a child must travel significant distances to comply with visitation schedules, the associated costs are not part of basic child support calculations. The responsibility for transportation (plane tickets, gas, lodging) is often addressed separately, either in a parenting plan or by court order.

• College or post-secondary expenses — In Arizona, child support ends when a child has reached the age of majority (18) except in cases of incapacity. Expenses related to college tuition, books, or housing are not included in child support. Courts may enforce an agreement to share these expenses if it is made part of a divorce settlement.

If you are a parent in the midst of planning for divorce, an Arizona child support attorney can guide you on the financial arrangement best suited to your situation. Whether you will be paying or receiving child support, the goal should be to ensure that the arrangement is affordable and fair to both parents.

Clark & Schloss Family Law, P.C. in Scottsdale, Arizona dedicates its practice to family law, including child support matters. We have a wide range of experience in the field. Please call us at 602-789-3497 or contact us online for a free initial consultation.