How Extracurricular Activity Expenses Are Handled in Georgia Child Support
Georgia’s Child Support Worksheet automatically accounts for several common expenses incurred for a child’s benefit when determining the final monthly child support amount. These include health insurance, work-related childcare, and uninsured medical expenses.
Most parents pay for health insurance through their employer, with the cost deducted directly from their regular pay. For child support purposes, only the portion of the premium attributable to the child is included in the Worksheet.
If the parties incur work-related childcare expenses, the monthly cost is calculated and included as well. Uninsured medical expenses are divided between the parents based on a comparison of their respective gross monthly incomes.
For a broader overview of how child support is calculated in Georgia, you can review the official guidelines provided by the Georgia Division of Child Support Services or explore our page on Georgia child support laws.
Extracurricular Activity Expenses Require Additional Consideration
Extracurricular activity expenses, such as sports, summer camps, and music lessons, require more nuance in Georgia child support calculations.
The Child Support Worksheet includes a built-in allocation for “special expenses,” which is equal to 7% of the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO). It is important to note that the BCSO is not the final monthly child support amount, but rather a starting point used in the calculation.
0.07 × BCSO
By way of example, if the BCSO is $100 per month, $7 is earmarked to cover these special expenses. Over the course of 12 months, this results in an annual “budget” of $84.
If a child’s extracurricular activity, such as a softball season, costs $250, this built-in allocation clearly does not fully satisfy that expense.
Using Schedule E for Extracurricular Expenses in Georgia
Fortunately, the Child Support Worksheet allows parties to account for these additional costs through a special deviation.
By including extracurricular activity expenses on Schedule E, parents can ensure that these costs are more accurately reflected in the overall child support calculation.
This process typically involves providing documentation of the expenses and calculating the total annual cost so it can be appropriately allocated between the parties.
Why Properly Accounting for These Expenses Matters
Extracurricular activities play an important role in a child’s development. Whether it is sports, arts, or enrichment programs, these experiences contribute to a child’s growth and well-being.
Ensuring these expenses are properly addressed in a child support arrangement helps avoid future disputes and supports the child’s ability to continue participating in meaningful activities.
Speak with a Georgia Family Law Attorney
If you are navigating a child support case in Georgia and extracurricular activity expenses may be a factor, it is important to understand your options.
Contact Hedgepeth Heredia to learn how to ensure these expenses are properly accounted for in your child support calculation.