In a dispute over alimony for a minor child, parents face the challenge of determining the child’s maintenance costs as precisely as possible. Undoubtedly, the final amount of the maintenance pension is determined taking into account the property and earning potential of the obligated party and the justified needs of the entitled person. Nevertheless, it is worth presenting an example of the cost of maintaining a child, regardless of the factual circumstances of a particular case. It is as follows:
- food – when calculating the costs necessary to cover the necessary food and drink for the child, one should take into account the child’s diet resulting from its age, but also food allergies or diets required for various diseases, eg insulin resistance;
- clothing and footwear – worn by the child on a daily or seasonal basis, as well as those purchased for special occasions (eg school costume party);
- household expenses, including housing fees – the amount of rent and fees for utilities (energy, gas, garbage disposal, water, central heating), television, Internet or flat insurance;
- treatment – in this case we are talking not only about medicines or vitamins, but these costs also include corrective glasses, orthodontic appliances as well as medical and rehabilitation care, including those incurred constantly in connection with the child’s health and, for example, various types of chronic diseases ;
- school and education – which includes tuition fees, but also the costs of a babysitter, additional and compensatory activities, school supplies and stationery, and expenses incurred for parents’ councils, parents’ committees and other similar expenses;
- hygiene, cosmetics and cleaning products – body and hair gels, nappies, wet wipes, cosmetics depending on the child’s age, washing powder, fabric softener, toilet paper, dishwashing liquid and others used every day by the child and members of the household;
- personal expenses, including entertainment and culture – these costs include expenses incurred, for example, for cinema, theater and museum tickets, but also for a hairdresser, birthday gifts for colleagues, toys, books, board games and pocket money;
- child’s room equipment and furniture;
- occasional expenses (holidays – summer camps, sports camps, language camps, etc., gifts).
It is important to remember that expenses incurred once a year or once every 2 years (e.g. a holiday trip, painting a room, buying bedding or sports equipment) should be adjusted to the monthly budget, i.e. they should be divided by 12 or 24 months.