Extraordinary School Expenses: How to Divide Them Between Parents?
Extraordinary school expenses in 2026 are usually split 50/50 between parents, with specific rules for reimbursement and prior consent depending on the type of cost.
What is the General Rule for School Expenses?
In the absence of different agreements established by a judge or through assisted negotiation, extraordinary school expenses in 2026 are typically divided 50/50 between parents. However, it is crucial to distinguish between expenses that require prior agreement between parties such as enrollment in a private school and mandatory or non-deferrable expenses like state school taxes and textbooks, which must be reimbursed proportionally upon presentation of the receipt.
Which Expenses Require the Other Parent's Consent?
Not all school expenses are considered "extraordinary." According to judicial guidelines in 2026, they are divided into: Expenses Included in Maintenance Payments: Stationery, school canteen if regularly attended, urban transport to school. Mandatory Extraordinary Expenses No Prior Agreement: School taxes for public institutions, textbooks, mandatory school trips without overnight stays. Optional Extraordinary Expenses With Prior Agreement: Attendance at private schools, master's degrees, educational trips abroad, extracurricular language or music courses. For a complete list, consult our guide to extraordinary expenses in 2026/guide/list-extraordinary-expenses-2026.
How to Request Reimbursement and What to Do If the Ex Doesn't Pay?
If an expense is agreed upon or mandatory, the parent who advanced the sum must send a copy of the expense receipts invoices, itemized receipts, or payment slips to the other parent. Reimbursement should generally occur within 15 or 30 days of the request, according to the protocol of the relevant court. If in 2026 you face difficulties with payment from your ex-partner, remember that the judge's order is an enforceable title: this means you can take legal action to recover unpaid sums. For clarification on legal terms, visit our /glossary/enforceable-title.