Child Support vs. Extras: Do I Have to Pay for Everything? Artwork

Love Court Off the Record

In the podcast, Love Court Off The Record, we look at specific legal questions regarding all family law matters. From child custody to child support to divorce. We also take a humorous look at divorce. It does make people go crazy!!

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Love Court Off the Record

Child Support vs. Extras: Do I Have to Pay for Everything?

April 20, 2026 • Anderson Keuscher Brachmann

0:00 | 3:09

“I already pay monthly child support, but my ex wife keeps asking me to buy extra things — clothes, sports fees, even school trips. I thought child support was supposed to cover those kinds of expenses. Do I legally have to pay for extras on top of child support?"

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In this episode of Love Court, divorce attorney Jessica Anderson addresses a common question from parents paying monthly child support. When one parent is already making regular support payments, can the other parent still request additional money for things like clothes, sports fees, school activities, or field trips?

Jessica explains what child support is intended to cover, how courts view shared or extraordinary expenses, and when a parent may—or may not—be legally required to contribute beyond the standard support payment. She also discusses the importance of reviewing the custody order and support agreement, since some parenting plans specifically outline how parents should divide extracurricular or school-related costs.