Costs That Both Parents Pay

Sharing Uninsured Healthcare and Work-related Child Care Expenses

Almost all child support orders in California require parents to share two kinds of expenses:

Uninsured healthcare
Work-related child care

In most cases, each parent is required to pay half of these expenses. If one parent has already paid the full cost of the expense, the other parent must pay their share to them directly.

Uninsured Healthcare

Uninsured healthcare expenses are out-of-pocket payments for a doctor visit, lab test, or other necessary medical expenses that are not covered by the child’s insurer.

Work-related Child Care

Work-related child care costs are reasonable daycare, babysitting, or other child care expenses that a parent pays so they can work or attend school.

Three Steps to Sharing Expenses

Step 1	Make a copy of the bill or receipt for the expense. Always keep the original bill or receipt for your own records. If you have already paid the full cost of the expense, make a copy of the proof of payment too. Some providers will split the bill. This makes it easier foreach parent to pay the provider directly.
Step 2	Within 30 days of when you incurred the expense, give the other parent a copy of the bill or receipt. Include the proof of payment if you already paid it. You can give it to them in person, through the mail, or by sending a clear image by text or email.
Step 3	Expect the other parent to pay within 30 days. The payment should come directly to you if you paid the full cost of the expense and gave the other parent proof of your payment.

What to Do If the Other Parent Doesn’t Pay

Step 1	File a motion with the court. If you have given the other parent the required documentation of the expense and they have not paid their share within 30 days, you can file a motion with the court. This motion is called a motion to determine arrears. The goal is to have the other parent pay their fair share. Your local court’s Family Law Facilitator can explain the process.
Step 2	Tell us about any new court order for unpaid expenses. If the court orders that unpaid expenses be added to the arrears for your child support case, bring a copy of that order into your local child support office. We will add the amount awarded to your case information. We will then collect it along with the regular child support payments.