<p>In addition to a standard <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/how-child-support-payments-are-calculated-2997973" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="externalLink" data-ordinal="1" rel="nofollow">child support calculation</a>, many states will either require a non-custodial parent to pay a share of additional expenses, associated with child rearing (mandatory) or order additional expenses at his or her discretion (discretionary).</p><h3>Mandatory Additions to the Child Support Formula</h3><p>Mandatory additions may include:</p><ul><li>Healthcare expenses that are not covered by health insurance</li><li>Child care expenses incurred while the <a data-inlink="hLfpnToIKga1uTxgaaB3kw&#61;&#61;" href="https://www.thespruce.com/custodial-parent-legal-definition-2997473" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="externalLink" data-ordinal="2" rel="nofollow">custodial parent</a> is working or attending school or job training, which are often pro-rated to the same extent as determined by the child support formula</li></ul><h3>Discretionary Additions to the Child Support Formula</h3><p>Discretionary additions may include:</p><ul><li>Educational expenses such as post-secondary, private school, special education, or college tuition</li><li>Child care expenses while the custodial parent is at work or seeking employment</li></ul><p>Often courts will not order any additions to the basic child support formula if a non-custodial parent&#39;s income is too low to warrant any additions. In that case, a court will only order a <a data-inlink="EUeAXqUQdqIG-wvlDw_3aA&#61;&#61;" href="https://www.thespruce.com/non-custodial-parent-legal-definition-2997481" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="externalLink" data-ordinal="3" rel="nofollow">non-custodial parent</a> to pay their share of the basic child support formula.</p><p>Each state has their own laws governing child support, so be sure to learn more about your state&#39;s regulations on their websites or from a lawyer local to the case.</p>