What child expenses do co-parents usually share?

For parents in two homes · By Just Divvy · Updated October 17, 2026 · How we write our guides

Everyday costs often stay with whichever home the kids are in. The bigger, less predictable ones are what co-parents often split. Agreeing which is which, up front, takes most of the friction out of the money side.

Which expenses do co-parents most often split?

Childcare, school costs, activities, and medical and dental costs that insurance doesn't cover are often shared.

• Childcare: daycare, before- and after-school care, babysitting so a parent can work, summer care.
• School: tuition, supplies, a laptop or tablet, fees, field trips, yearbooks, tutoring.
• Activities: sports fees and equipment, music lessons and instruments, camps, clubs.
• Health: copays and deductibles, dental and orthodontic work, glasses and contacts, prescriptions, therapy and counseling.
• Big one-offs: a phone, a car seat, a first car, driving lessons, a graduation or a school trip abroad.

What usually stays with each home?

Day-to-day costs while the kids are with you: groceries, meals out, the household's own bills, and most small things.

Clothing, birthday parties and gifts vary the most. Some parents share them; many treat them as each home's own. Either works, as long as you both know which.

How do co-parents split shared costs?

Many co-parents split shared costs 50/50. Others agree a different split, for example in proportion to their incomes, or by category.

• Even split: simple, and easy to keep track of.
• Proportional: each pays a share that matches their income, such as 60/40.
• By category: one parent covers activities, the other covers school, and medical costs are split.
• One-off exceptions: one parent pays all of something they chose on their own, like a pricey camp the other didn't agree to.

An example

A $600 orthodontist bill, paid by one parent:

Ground rules that keep it calm

1. Agree the list in advance: which categories you share, and which stay with each home.
2. Set a check-in amount: anything over, say, $100 gets a quick "OK?" before it's bought.
3. Keep receipts: a photo is enough.
4. Settle regularly: monthly, or when the balance reaches an amount you agree.
5. Keep one shared record that both of you can see, so nobody has to keep score in their head.

How fast should we pay each other back?

Whatever you agree. Many co-parents settle monthly, or whenever the balance passes an amount they've chosen, like $200.

Settling regularly keeps the numbers small, and small numbers are easier to talk about. Paying part of the balance is fine too: record what was paid, and the rest carries on.

What if we disagree about an expense?

Talk about it before it's paid if you can, and keep it separate from everything else you're sorting out.

• Spending the other parent didn't agree to: many co-parents agree that anything over the check-in amount, bought without an "OK", is the buyer's own unless the other parent agrees later.
• Different ideas about what's needed: agree a split for that one item, like 70/30, rather than all or nothing.
• Keep a note on the entry of what you agreed, so nobody has to remember it later.
• If you're stuck, a co-parenting counselor or a lawyer can help.

Where can I read more?

• IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses: which childcare costs count, and the credit.
• Your state's child support agency or court website: most explain what their guidelines cover.

Keep track for free

Ledger is a free shared expense tracker for co-parents. Type in what you paid, give each expense its own split (50/50 unless you change it), attach the receipt, and Ledger keeps a running balance of who owes whom. Settle up whenever you like, and download any period as a PDF, an Excel file or a CSV.

Free, and it will stay free. No sign-up to start.

General information, not legal advice. Just Divvy provides general information and tools, not legal, tax or financial advice. If an order or written agreement says how you share costs, follow it, and ask a licensed attorney in your state about anything you're unsure of.