we came up with this way of being fair to both kids-they earn marbles worth .50 each for their chores done and are paid bi-weekly.We were asked for years to do the same stuff but if you really can't afford it then check into your court order, in our state child support is only obligation unless stated in order for other things, we always did pitch in but refused to cover complete cost since we never have been rolling in money- well actually since we've had custody we have paid for everything w/o even trying to ask her for help since she is so pathetic.

What does the order say? If it doesn't say you have to pay for "extras," then you don't have to. In our case, we are paying $400/mo per child, but there are no "extras." The CS covers ALL of the needs of the child. That's what it is CHILD SUPPORT... money to support the child and see to all of the needs of the child. The only thing we pay above and beyond the CS amount is our pro rata share of uninsured medical, dental and orthodontic expenses.

There's a lot of confusion about CS and what it's for... some NCP's think they have to split "extras" because the BM tells them they have to, but that's not always the case. Unless your order specifies that you have to pay for half of this or a third of that, you don't have to pay any amount beyond the CS.

As for allowance, we don't and won't pay the skids an allowance at our house. We'll foot the bill for some spending money if we're going to be doing something or taking them somewhere, but they don't get an allowance per se. They are, however, expected to make their beds, clean up after themselves and pitch in when needed. Whether their mom gives them an allowance, I don't know. I assume she does and I assume that it comes out of the CS. We're only supposed to have them EOW, but we hardly ever actually get them, so they don't have assigned chores beyond picking up after themselves. Our BS9 does have assigned chores, in addition to picking up after himself, so he does get a small allowance IF HE DOES THEM and it's payable to him twice a month on our payday.

~ Anne ~

"Love, having no geography, knows no boundaries."
(Truman Capote)

Hi there. Our BM used to ask for us to pay the expenses you are asking about...even school trips...we did until she kept insisting more and more. Then we hubby was in court the last time he asked what was covered under cs. School trips/fee's/supplies (skids are in public & high school)were asked if hubby had to pay his portion. Hubby made the judge repeat in very clear terms 3 times that no, this was covered under the child support so the ex would comprehend. With that being said, she has still submitted school trip expenses to us for $375 and we refused to pay for them. She said fine, I will take it to court with me and get it ordered that you have to pay. Depending on what the judge says on that day, if he orders it, we will ask that this issue be held over to another date so we can provide everyone with a copy of the transcript. It states everything that is spoken in the court room. Mind you it will cost us probably $40 for it, it will be well worth it in the end. Judges usually don't like to over rule another judge...or at least that is what we have found in our province.

corie

In DH's case we pay maximum child support and we pay half of any out pocket/not covered medical and dental expenses. We provide clothes, shoes etc for here. If we want pictures, we buy them.

In my case, neither my ex or I pay cs. Ex carries insurance through his job and we split out of pocket/not covered medical/dental expenses. We split pretty much anything related to school, sports, pictures etc. The only time that is not the case is I sign my daughter up for softball and pay any additional expenses, provide the gear etc. Ex signs her up for cheerleading and pays all those expenses. School pictures we buy the biggest package and split the cost. We split the list of school supplies up, so I buy half, he buys half... as for clothing... he buys clothes, shoes, etc for his house as do I.
It is what it is...