Section 7 expenses are determined based on necessity, reasonableness, and parents’ financial means

Courts carefully evaluate special or extraordinary expenses under Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines using a systematic approach. The assessment considers:

• The child’s best interests and developmental needs
• The necessity and reasonableness of the proposed expenses
• The parents’ combined income and ability to pay
• Any existing spending patterns established before separation
• The proportional sharing of costs based on respective incomes

Once approved, these expenses are typically shared proportionally between parents according to their annual incomes, ensuring both parties contribute fairly to their child’s additional needs beyond basic support.