Can you use child support for day care?

On Behalf of | Aug 31, 2018 | child support |

Your ex pays you child support. Since you got a new job with a new schedule, you do not have time to watch the children every day. You want to use some of the child support money to pay for day care so that you can go to work.

However, your ex thinks this is unfair. They complain that the child support money is supposed to help you raise the child, not go to some random day care center. In other words, they don’t think you can spend that money just to give yourself the freedom to take this new job. It should go directly to the kids. Who is right?

Your ex does have a point that child support is supposed to be used directly for the children. Parents cannot spend it on themselves.

However, paying for child care is one of the typical approved uses of that money. This is true when the parents cannot watch the children because they have unavoidable scheduling conflicts, like your new job.

You do not even have to pay a day care center. You could also hire a nanny or a babysitter. Additionally, even if your schedule allows you to watch the children during the school year, when they’re in class for most of the day, you can use the money to pay for care over the holidays, on spring break or during the summer.

Parents do not always agree about how money can be used after a divorce. It is very important that you fully understand the law and all of the legal rights that you have during these conflicts.