Can A Parent Request Accounting Of The Child Support Expenses?
This is a frequent question that I hear as a Dayton, Ohio, divorce lawyer. In Ohio, the short answer is “no” as long as the child’s basic needs are being taken care of. There are a few states (such as Washington) which allow for a parent to request an accounting of the child support expenditures.
In most states there is a common misconception that child support must be spent on things that ONLY benefit the child only. In Ohio, child support may be used to pay for a very broad range of expenses including:
- Food
- Clothing
- Mortgage/rent of the home where the child lives
- Utility bills, internet, cell phones
- Medical expenses
- Transportation and vehicle costs (including gas, auto insurance and car repairs)
- Childcare/babysitters/camp costs/sports/extracurricular activities
- School fees and supplies
- Entertainment for the child
- Any miscellaneous expenses that contribute to the general welfare of the child.