What is the difference between child support and child care?

The difference between child support and child care comes down to who is responsible for the costs associated with the child. Child support is a payment made by one parent to the other parent in order to help cover the costs of raising the shared child. In Washington, this payment is paid based on state guidelines, which take into consideration both parents’ income, in order to determine the amount of child support necessary. Child care on the other hand, is the payment made by the parent with primary (or sole) custody of the child in order to cover the costs of providing for their child. This can include daycare, extracurricular activities, school supplies, and other necessary expenses. While both parents are expected to work together to ensure the child’s well-being, the cost of child care is generally the responsibility of the parent with primary custody of the child.

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What is the difference between child support and child care?

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