What’s New? Mental Health and Support: What the Amended Guidelines Mean for You

Effective July 1, 2025, the Support Guidelines change the way that psychological and psychiatric expenses are treated in a standard support order.

Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1910.16-6 has been amended so that reasonably incurred mental health expenses are handled more similarly to traditional medical expenses like annual exams, stitches, or a broken arm.

This change is particularly beneficial for families dealing with mental health challenges, as it ensures that these essential costs are more equitably allocated with less risk of legal dispute.

What’s Changed?

The Pennsylvania Support Guidelines set out how support is determined, taking into account both parents’ incomes, the needs of the child, and various other factors. Traditionally, the focus on medical expenses has been on typical medical costs like annual doctor visits, physical injuries, and prescriptions. However, this recent change expands that focus to include reasonable mental health needs as standard expenses subject to reimbursement under a support order. Prior to the amendment, psychological and psychiatric expenses were treated as “other expenses” requiring a specific court order for allocation. Under the amended Rule, “reasonably incurred” costs related to psychological care, such as therapy sessions, trauma counseling, and psychiatric medications, are now included in a standard support order without specific request at the time the order is entered as long as they are “reasonably necessary.” This change reallocates the financial costs of these services and, in doing so, recognizes that mental health resources are just as important as physical health care.

Why This Change is Important

This legal change addresses a growing recognition that mental health has a significant impact on a person’s life. For a child, it has been proven that it can impact their overall development and emotional growth. With this, many children who experience trauma, emotional distress, or behavioral health disorders often require ongoing psychological or psychiatric care. Previously, since these types of expenses were not automatically included in an order, the party requesting allocation of these costs had the burden of proving why they were needed at the time of the hearing. Without this extra step, they were left to be paid for by the party making the request, leaving them with the financial burden. Now, both parents may be required to share in these costs, helping to alleviate the unilateral financial strain, while ensuring the child gets the comprehensive care they need.

Conclusion

This automatic inclusion of reasonably incurred mental health expenses under Rule 1910.16-6 brings a more balanced and less adversarial approach to support cases, ensuring essential needs are allocated equitably without the need for protracted litigation.  

If you are facing a custody dispute or divorce and believe that this amendment pertains to you, contact a member of our team so we can help you understand its limitations and the impact it has on your case.

The information contained in this publication should not be construed as legal advice, is not a substitute for legal counsel, and should not be relied on as such. For legal advice or answers to specific questions, please contact one of our attorneys.