What is the law on support of children by parents in Alaska?

Full question:

My parents haven't really denied me child support but they refuse to pay for my personal expenses like clothing, hobbies etc. They do take care of my educational expenses and food, medical expenses. What I wanna know is- what expenses are included in child support?

  • Category: Minors
  • Subcategory: Child Support
  • Date:
  • State: Alaska

Answer:

Child support means that the parent is required to provide for necessary food, care, clothing, shelter, medical care and education. Your parents should take care of all the above mentioned expenses and provide you child support if you are 18 years of age or below.
 
Alaska Stat. § 11.51.120 reads:
 
“(a) A person commits the crime of criminal nonsupport if, being a person legally charged with the support of a child the person knowingly fails, without lawful excuse, to provide support for the child.
 
(b) As used in this section "support" includes necessary food, care, clothing, shelter, medical attention, and education. There is no failure to provide medical attention to a child if the child is provided treatment solely by spiritual means through prayer in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination by an accredited practitioner of the church or denomination.
 
(c) Except as provided in (d) of this section, criminal nonsupport is a class A misdemeanor.
***
(f) In this section,
 
   (1) "child" means a person
 
      (A) under 18 years of age; or
 
      (B) 18 years of age or older for whom a person is ordered to pay support under a valid court or administrative order;
 
   (2) "child support" means support for a child;
 
   (3) "without lawful excuse" means having the financial ability to provide support or having the capacity to acquire that ability through the exercise of reasonable efforts.”

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Child support is intended for essential expenses related to a child's well-being, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education. While parents have some discretion in how they use the funds, they should prioritize these necessary needs. Spending child support on non-essential items may not align with the intended purpose of the support.