Understanding Additional Expenses for Non-Custodial Parents in Northern Kentucky

As an expert in family law, I have seen firsthand the importance of child support in divorce proceedings. When children are involved, it is a legal obligation for both parents to financially support them, even after the marriage has ended. In Northern Kentucky, child support is determined based on the income of both parents and the needs of the child.

The Role of Non-Custodial Parents in Child Support

While the custodial parent has the primary responsibility of caring for the child on a day-to-day basis, this does not mean that the non-custodial parent is exempt from other financial responsibilities towards their child. In fact, under Kentucky law, non-custodial parents can be ordered to pay for additional expenses related to their child's well-being. These additional expenses can include medical bills, extracurricular activities, and other necessary costs that may arise.

Let's take a closer look at these expenses and how they are determined.

Medical Expenses

One of the most common additional expenses that non-custodial parents may be ordered to pay for is medical expenses. This can include doctor's visits, prescription medication, and even hospital stays. In Northern Kentucky, these expenses are typically divided between both parents based on their income. It is important to note that medical expenses must be deemed necessary and reasonable by the court in order for the non-custodial parent to be ordered to pay for them. This means that if a parent decides to take their child to an expensive specialist without consulting the other parent or obtaining court approval, they may not be able to receive reimbursement for those costs.

Extracurricular Activities

Another common additional expense that non-custodial parents may be ordered to pay for is extracurricular activities.

These can include sports teams, music lessons, or any other activity that the child is involved in outside of school. Similar to medical expenses, the court will consider the necessity and reasonableness of these activities before ordering the non-custodial parent to pay for them. If the activity is deemed necessary for the child's well-being or development, the non-custodial parent may be required to contribute towards the cost.

Factors Considered by the Court

When determining whether a non-custodial parent should be ordered to pay for additional expenses, the court will consider several factors. These can include:

• The income of both parents
• The needs of the child
• The standard of living the child would have had if the parents were still together
• The child's educational and medical needs
• The child's extracurricular activities and their importance to their well-being

Based on these factors, the court will make a decision on whether or not the non-custodial parent should be responsible for paying for additional expenses.

Modifying Child Support Orders

If a non-custodial parent is struggling to keep up with their child support payments, they may be able to request a modification of their child support order. This can also apply to additional expenses that they have been ordered to pay for. In order to modify a child support order, the non-custodial parent must show a significant change in circumstances, such as a decrease in income or an increase in expenses.

It is important to note that modifications are not guaranteed and must be approved by the court.

Consequences for Non-Payment

Failure to pay child support, including additional expenses, can result in serious consequences for the non-custodial parent. These can include wage garnishment, suspension of driver's license, and even jail time. It is important for non-custodial parents to understand their financial responsibilities towards their child and to fulfill them to the best of their ability. If they are struggling to make payments, it is important to communicate with the court and seek a modification rather than simply not paying.

In Conclusion

In Northern Kentucky, non-custodial parents can be ordered to pay for additional expenses related to their child's well-being. These expenses must be deemed necessary and reasonable by the court and are typically divided between both parents based on their income.

It is important for non-custodial parents to understand their financial responsibilities and to communicate with the court if they are struggling to make payments.