Co-Parenting Expenses in Arkansas

When parents separate or divorce, they must figure out how to pay for the costs of raising their children. This can be a challenge, especially if the parents have different incomes or if they live in different places.

 

In Arkansas, the law requires both parents to contribute to the costs of raising their children, even if they are not married. This means that both parents must pay for things like food, clothing, shelter, education, and healthcare.

 

However, there are some expenses that are not covered by child support. These expenses can include:

• Extracurricular activities: This includes things like sports, music lessons, and dance classes.
• Vacations: This includes trips that the children take with both parents.
• Gifts: This includes birthday presents, Christmas presents, and other gifts that the children receive from their parents.
• Unreimbursed medical expenses: This includes medical expenses that are not covered by insurance.
• Child care: This includes the cost of caring for the children when the parents are not able to do so.
• Transportation: This includes the cost of taking the children to and from school, activities, and other appointments.
• Clothing: This includes the cost of new clothes for the children as they grow.
• Custodial parent's living expenses: This includes the cost of housing, food, and other expenses for the custodial parent.
• Non-custodial parent's travel expenses: This includes the cost of travel for the non-custodial parent to visit the children.

How to Pay for Co-Parenting Expenses That Are Not Covered by Child Support

There are a number of ways to pay for co-parenting expenses that are not covered by child support. These include:

• Talk to your ex-spouse: You may be able to reach an agreement with your ex-spouse on how to pay for these expenses.
• Get a court order: If you cannot reach an agreement with your ex-spouse, you may need to go to court to get a court order that requires them to pay for these expenses.
• Use your own money: If you cannot get your ex-spouse to pay for these expenses, you may need to use your own money to pay for them.
• Seek financial assistance: There are a number of organizations that can provide financial assistance to help you pay for co-parenting expenses.

Conclusion

Co-parenting can be a challenge, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you, and you can get through this.

References to Legal Codes

• Arkansas Code of 1987, Annotated, Title 9, Chapter 12
• Arkansas Department of Human Services

Warning:  This post is neither financial, health, legal, or personal advice nor a substitute for the advice offered by a professional. These are serious matters, and the help of a professional is recommended as it can impact your future.