Splitting time 50/50 between two houses - kid costs

Dec 12·1 min read

Real question: When your kids are 50/50 custody, how do you handle daily expenses? Like groceries, school supplies, activities. Do you split everything? Go based on income? I'm making more than my ex and I feel like I should contribute proportionally but I also don't want to enable her to not provide basics when the kids are with her.

Right now I'm just buying stuff but there's no system and it's messy. What's worked for you guys?

6 comments9 views

Comments(6)

JJames H.RegularDec 12

I'd suggest keeping it simple: split day-to-day stuff 50/50, but bigger expenses (sports, school, medical) scale by income. That way you're not constantly nickeling and diming over groceries.

PPete A.RegularDec 13

We do roughly 60/40 split on expenses based on our income ratio. Like I cover more of the big stuff (activities, medical copays) and she handles groceries/supplies on her end. Seems fairest?

SSean A.RegularDec 13

Income-based makes the most sense to me but also the most complicated. Do you want to have that conversation with your ex though? Because some co-parents do NOT want to discuss income stuff even if it's reasonable.

CCarl W.RegularDec 14

This is such a practical question that nobody really talks about. Our setup is groceries/supplies get split, activities/camps we each pay for the stuff on "our time" unless it's a shared thing.

WWade T.New DadDec 13

Going income-based honestly makes the most sense long-term. You're making more so the kids shouldn't have different standards of living at each house, right?

DDean F.RegularDec 14

Real question back at you: has your ex brought this up or are you trying to figure it out preemptively? Because if she hasn't complained, you might be overthinking the fairness part.