Work-related child care costs are normally included in the child support calculation but they can be separated and by agreement paid in another manner then together with the child support. The formula requires that the amount of work-related day care be reduced by any federal tax credit which will accrue to the payer of the day care. If work related day care is paid as part of the child support, the custodial parent is required to notify the non-custodial parent when the work related day care costs change. A party can also be ordered to contribute to the medical health insurance for the child or children.
Because these guidelines vary from state to state, identical situations may yield very different results depending upon where you live. A Rhode Island child support order can follow the children into another state, but then the new state amounts may apply. The original state that issued the order, will always govern the duration of payments. In Rhode Island, child support continues until the child is 18, or if 18 and still in school, 3 months beyond graduation.
Child support can also vary from the child support guidelines in cases where placement is shared by the parents more than the norm. In such as case, the amount to be paid is based not only upon the respective gross income of the parties but also upon how much time the child spends with each parent.