Special Considerations For Child Support

Unique Needs

Court Considerations:

Judges can increase child support amounts when a child requires specialized care, including:

• Ongoing medical treatment for chronic illnesses or disabilities
• Special education services for learning disabilities or developmental disorders
• Therapy and mental health support, including counseling or behavioral programs
• Transportation to medical or specialized care facilities.

Extraordinary Expenses:

These are costs beyond typical child-rearing and may be considered separately from base support, such as:

• Tutoring and academic support
• Extracurricular programs that address developmental or therapeutic goals
• Specialized childcare needed due to a child’s health or behavioral condition

Non-Unique Needs

Basic living expenses are generally included in the standard support calculation and do not warrant separate consideration unless linked to a special circumstance. These include:

• Daily food and nutrition
• Clothing and personal items
• Shelter and housing-related costs
• School supplies and general educational materials

Courts may consider adjusting base support if even basic needs become extraordinary due to a child’s condition.