In Arizona as in other states, child support is designed to ensure that children receive the financial resources they need to maintain a standard of living comparable to what they would enjoy had their parents remained together. Child support encompasses basic necessities as well as additional costs necessary for a child’s well-being. 

The Arizona Child Support Guidelines, established to ensure consistency in calculating child support, determine how much each parent is required to contribute. The following are the basic types of expenses that child support covers:

1. Basic living expenses — The parent receiving child support can use the funds to pay for the child’s basic needs, including food, shelter, clothing and other essentials critical to maintaining a healthy standard of living. 

2. Educational expenses — School-related costs include tuition (for private or parochial schools), school supplies, textbooks, uniforms and transportation. Child support usually ends when the child graduates high school and so does not cover college costs.

3. Medical and health expenses — Child support can be used to pay for health insurance premiums, co-pays and deductibles, as well as out-of-pocket medical costs such as dental and vision care. It can also cover a child’s special medical needs or ongoing treatments.

4. Child care expenses — Working parents often need to arrange for child care, which can be a significant expense. In Arizona, child support may cover the costs of daycare, after-school programs or a caregiver as long as the cost is not extraordinary.

5. Extracurricular activities and entertainment — While not considered essential, activities like sports, music lessons, or dance classes, as well as recreational activities such as school field trips, are often viewed as important aspects of a child’s social and emotional development. 

Arizona uses an "income shares model" to calculate child support. The Child Support Guidelines take into account the gross income of both parents, the amount of time each parent spends with the child under the parenting plan and other considerations such as medical and childcare expenses and possible additional costs for children with special needs.

If you are a parent in the midst of planning for divorce, an Arizona family law attorney with experience handling child support matters can provide guidance on the financial arrangement best suited to your situation. 

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 602-789-3497 or contact us online for a free initial consultation.