How is Child Care typically calculated?

[talisman]

What is the name of your state? VA

My ex and I have not been able agree on an amount for child care. Her mom will ultimately be watching the child and recieving the money a judge would decree i owe. How would the judge calculate that amount? would he just take the average cost of child care in our area and split it evenly? The child support split is 60 - 40 my way b/c I make more. Also, if I adjusted my work schedule to watch the child 1 or 2 days a week for the judge take that into account as well?

 

[Phnx02]

What is the name of your state? VA

My ex and I have not been able agree on an amount for child care. Her mom will ultimately be watching the child and recieving the money a judge would decree i owe. How would the judge calculate that amount? would he just take the average cost of child care in our area and split it evenly? The child support split is 60 - 40 my way b/c I make more. Also, if I adjusted my work schedule to watch the child 1 or 2 days a week for the judge take that into account as well?

Generally, if the child is already enrolled in a daycare facility (or homecare), whatever the weekly/monthly cost is, is divided in half. Same with intentions of placing the child in designated care. Childcare costs can differ dramatically from one facility to another, even if they're within blocks of each other, and a parent has discretion to decide which placement is best. However, since your cs amount is split 60/40, a judge may very well order you to pay 60% of the childcare costs as well.

 

[nextwife]

An "accredited" child care program is entitled to a higher fee than is a non-accredited program. At home, relative care should not cost what a day care "program" with full facilities , daily programing, state mandated outdoor activity time, and regular inspections to meet state standards costs.

Had my Mom cared for my (or any) child in her home, the "fee" that she should be entitled to recieve would not have been comparable to the fee my daughter's YMCA Child Care (State Diversity award, high quality ranking) was entitled to get.