Child support is generally intended to help with the costs of raising the child—including food, clothing, shelter, and education—but laws vary from state to state and are often unclear on the extent to which child support payments are intended to help the custodial parent pay for half of school supplies, health care, braces, glasses, dental care, uninsured medical care, transportation (car), daycare, sports camps, cheerleading camps, school trips, social activities, and extracurricular activities.

Most state laws (statutes) don’t identify the specific child-rearing costs to which the custodial parent is required to contribute payment from child support and other resources—and because these issues are frequently the source of parental conflict, parents should identify all expected future costs and agree to the process for sharing them.

Childcare expenses incurred by the custodial parent are generally not required to be paid by the noncustodial parent in addition to child support—unless the childcare is required for the custodial parent’s work, training, or school—in which case the noncustodial parent may be required to pay for 50% of the childcare, for example.

In Indiana, child support is designed to cover the costs associated with raising a child, such as food, clothing, shelter, and education. However, Indiana law does not provide an exhaustive list of specific child-rearing expenses that must be covered by child support payments. The Indiana Child Support Guidelines do consider the needs of the child, including health care and education, when determining the amount of support. Expenses such as school supplies, medical care, extracurricular activities, and childcare can be a source of disagreement between parents. In cases where childcare is necessary for the custodial parent to work, seek education, or undergo training, the noncustodial parent may be required to contribute to these costs, which could be up to 50% of the childcare expenses. Parents are encouraged to discuss and agree upon the handling of these additional expenses to avoid conflicts. It's important to note that the specifics of each case can vary, and an attorney can provide guidance tailored to individual circumstances.