Co-parenting is not an easy process, but it is so well worth it when it benefits your child. Part of working together with the other parent includes ensuring your child has everything he or she needs, which requires money.
Splitting expenses may be part of your parenting agreement, but if it is not, you will need to figure out a way to divide those expenses with your co-parent. U.S. News and World Report explains it will help if you decide together on a system to use to pay for your child’s expenses.
Division based on income
When it comes to extra expenses that go above child support needs, you may want to follow the same guidelines the court uses to fairly divide the costs. You can look at your income.
For example, if you earn $30,000 annually and the other parent earns $60,000, then you make half of what he or she makes. Your co-parent would then pay twice what you pay. That breaks down so you pay one-third of an expense and your spouse would pay the other two-thirds.
Division based on want
Another option is to divide expenses based on who is responsible for the expense. For example, if you really want your child to have piano lessons, then you would pay for that expense. If you cannot afford to pay for all of it and your co-parent is agreeable, then you could pay most of the expense and the co-parent would pay the rest.
With this type of division, it is important that you understand the other parent may not see something as a necessary expense. In that case, you would need to foot the bill if it is something you really want.
The key to making this work is to always keep your child the focus of things. You also want to ensure you are not being unreasonable when requesting money to pay for expenses. Lastly, you must work together.
