simply too angry to deal with one another about money after a separation.
The parents should discuss the “extras” that you know will come up. Try to handle them in your order or agreement. But there are some things that you can do even after an agreement or order has been reached to help you deal with these annual costs, if you failed to ad- dress them initially, such as:
• Discuss and exchange information about upcoming costs in advance. The earlier you bring up expenses, the easier it is for the other parent to pre- pare and help with a child’s expenses.
• Instead of buying the supplies and asking to be reimbursed for a portion, ask what the other parent can afford to contribute before you go shopping. They may have an avenue to provide some supplies more easily and cheaply than providing you with a check.
• Divide the list and let them help with the shopping. One parent may be able to use a credit card for purchases but not be able to give you extra money that month.
• Make a plan to divide all of the costs anticipated during the year. It may be that one parent will handle the supplies and the other will handle other costs like trips and fees as they come up during the year. Based on how people are com-
pensated or when they incur other ex- penses like property taxes or insurance premiums, they may have some months tighter than others.
• Set up an account where each par- ent can contribute some agreed upon amount each month or annually that can be used for the school expenses when they occur.
• Make sure the other parent stays in- formed about the activities and aca- demic life of their child. Most parents tend to contribute more to activities they share with their children.
• Don’t be pressured to spend more than you need. Buy used calculators and or- ganize a supply swap with your friends or neighbors since the items their children have outgrown may be perfect for your child. If they are old enough, have your child work and save towards the “designer” choices they want to have. You pay the basic cost and have your child pay the dif- ference for the more expensive version.
• Remember that you can volunteer your time if you can’t afford to volunteer your money for boosters and PTSO organizations. ●
Leigh Sellers Kusch and Sellers, P.A. Phone: 704-556-0707 ext. 1002 Direct Line: 704-412-9099/Fax: 704-553-7824
www.kruschlaw.com
www.womanwithknowhow.com SEPTEMBER 2013 17
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