Raising children is an expensive aspect of life. Children require food, shelter, education, medical care, and entertainment too. If you have a child with special needs, these could be just a fraction of the cost of care though.
Navigating the issue of child support can be a touchy subject during divorce. All children require care, but children with special needs may present additional expenses. The state of California recognizes the extra costs associated with raising special needs children and has made provisions to allow increased support.
Child support beyond adulthood
While most children achieve expected milestones such as graduation, college, and marriage, that might not be the case for children with disabilities. Depending on the circumstances, you may wonder if your child will ever live independently from you.
California courts have recognized that not all children will achieve independence. Therefore, both parents are responsible to support children who cannot support themselves for an indefinite amount of time. This means that a child support obligation could exceed your child’s 18th birthday.
Support for increased costs
Additionally, raising a child with a disability could present additional costs, especially for the primary caregiver. Depending on the needs of your child you might see extra spending in areas of:
- Medical Appointments
- Medical Supplies
- Behavioral Therapies
- Assistive Technology
- Adaptive Aids
- Extra Care
If you have a child that has special needs you may be able to get an increased amount of child support. Furthermore, depending on the severity of your child’s limitation, you might be able to have support continue beyond the age of 18.
Ensure support matches need
If you’re raising a child with a disability and also going through a divorce, you may be worried about child support. You might want to seek out more information regarding California’s approach to child support for children with disabilities.
