Mandatory Child Support Add-Ons in New York Divorce Cases

In New York, child support does not stop at the basic monthly support amount—it also includes mandatory “add-ons” that both parents must share. These required add-ons include reasonable and necessary child care expenses while a parent works or attends school, unreimbursed medical expenses, and health insurance premiums for the child if available at a reasonable cost.

Parents are also required to contribute to educational expenses, which can include private school or tutoring, when appropriate based on the child’s needs and the family’s prior standard of living. In addition, courts may require contributions toward extracurricular activities when they are consistent with the child’s pre-divorce lifestyle. Mandatory add-ons are typically divided between the parents in proportion to their incomes.