Reimbursement of Additional Child Support

Child support is calculated to provide for your child’s basic living necessities. But what happens when your child needs braces or has an unexpected emergency room visit? These expenses are in addition to guideline child support orders and are generally shared between the parents. If there is a court order for the parents to share child care expenses and reasonable uninsured health care costs, it is important that the parties exchange itemized statements of the costs within a reasonable time but generally not more than 30 days after accruing the costs. The other parent shall pay his or her share either to the health care provider or other parent within a reasonable time but not longer than 30 days from the notification of the amount due. If the reimbursing parent disputes the charges, that parent shall still pay the amount and may seek assistance from the court over the disputed amount.

It is important to maintain clear records for any additional child related expenses that are reimbursable and to share them with the other parent as soon as possible after the expense is incurred. Failure to exchange this information may result in a forfeiture of reimbursement. On the other hand, it is equally as important to respond to any requests for reimbursement timely so that any disputes may be resolved quickly. Failure to do so may not only result in a court order to pay the disputed amount but to also pay any attorney’s fees and costs incurred by the other party for enforcing the provision.

Contact this office if you are having trouble collecting reimbursement for additional child support to schedule an initial consultation.