When Rhode Island parents divorce, they may share custody of their children. However, depending on the situation, one parent may have custody while the other has visitation and pays child support. There is a specific purpose behind child support that all parents should know.
Understanding child support
The purpose of child support is to contribute financially towards the needs of the child. Once parents get a divorce, both are required to continue contributing so that the child can have their basic necessities. Child custody and support go hand-in-hand; one parent may have primary custody while the other pays child support. Often, the parent paying support is granted visitation rights.
Uses for child support
The main reason for child support is to meet the child’s basic needs. This includes a place to live, food, clothing and other necessities to ensure that the child is happy and healthy. Many parents find their financial means decrease significantly after a divorce, so child support can help compensate for that loss.
Child support is also used for medical care and expenses. Whether the child is healthy and has no preexisting conditions or if they have a specific medical condition, support goes toward any medical care the child needs. The parent can put the child on their health insurance plan and pay medical expenses through co-payments on their coverage.
Other things child support can be used for are education and extracurricular activities. Even if the child attends public school, they have expenses like books, school supplies, school fees and tutors. Child support may also be used to pay for private school or other things such as music lessons, art classes or sports activities.