Child support is unfortunately a contentious topic for many, but it’s not a “bonus” check. It’s a structured plan designed to ensure kids get what they need, even when parents are no longer under the same roof. However, support is only as effective as it’s applied. If you’re receiving or paying support, understanding how it works, and what it actually covers, helps ensure your child gets the full benefit. There are three types of child support calculations: Basic Support, Child Care Support, Medical Care Support.
What Basic Support Actually Covers
Basic support is more than a general contribution—it has a defined purpose. It includes the essentials: housing, food, clothing, transportation, and education supplies. It’s meant to keep a child’s daily life stable, not just keep the lights on.
Minnesota adjusts this amount based on the amount of time each parent spends with the child. The more overnights a parent has, the more that parent contributes directly, and the calculation shifts to reflect that. The formula is built around actual parenting time and income.
How Medical Support Gets Split
Medical support covers both health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses that insurance doesn’t handle, like co-pays, braces, or prescriptions. Each parent’s income is factored into how these costs are divided, using what’s called the Parental Income for Child Support (PICS) system.
This division isn’t always an even 50/50 split. Th ePICS percentage is based on each parent’s percentage of total income. If one parent earns more, they pay a larger percentage. That said, both parents are expected to contribute, regardless of who carries the insurance. It’s a shared responsibility, and courts are clear about that.
When Child Care Costs Count
Child care support is payable when a parent needs child care due to work or education, not for social events or casual arrangements. It’s meant to support parents who are doing what they need to do to provide: working a shift, finishing a degree, or training for a job.
Minnesota factors in tax credits and each parent’s share of income when splitting these costs. If child care costs shift significantly, like when a child starts school full time, that’s a good time to reassess the arrangement through a formal review.
The Total Monthly Obligation
The total child support amount combines basic, medical, and child care support into one monthly figure. While it’s presented as a single amount, it’s made up of those three distinct parts.
Standard child support doesn’t automatically include everything. Costs like summer camps, private school, tutoring, sports teams, or therapy sessions fall into the category of “extraordinary expenses.” These need to be spelled out in court orders or agreed upon separately.
Parents can request these extras during the initial case or later on through a petition. Without that agreement or order, there’s no legal requirement to split the cost even if the activity benefits the child. If these expenses are a regular part of your child’s life, it’s worth making them official.
Need to Clarify, Modify, or Start a Child Support Order?
If you receive child support, think about its structure: basic, medical, and child care. Keep those categories in mind when budgeting. If the child’s needs shift, for example, increased medical bills or a sudden drop in child care costs, that’s a cue to reassess the support amount.
If you’re the one paying, keeping receipts or documentation can help confirm that your payments are used as intended. Courts don’t require exact accounting, but staying informed protects both your investment and your peace of mind.
Melchert Hubert Sjodin, PLLP can help you make sure your child support order reflects your child’s needs—and your current reality. Call (952) 442-7700 to speak with someone who can help you make sense of the numbers and focus on what matters most: your child.
