What is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary expenses for children?
The distinction between ordinary and extraordinary expenses is fundamental for the correct management of child support: the former are covered by the monthly allowance, while the latter are extra expenses generally split 50/50.
In short: the fundamental distinction
The main difference lies in the predictability and frequency of the expense. Ordinary expenses are those intended to meet the daily and habitual needs of the children food, clothing, ordinary education and are already covered by the monthly maintenance payment. Extraordinary expenses, on the other hand, relate to unpredictable, exceptional, or significant financial events that cannot be quantified in advance e.g., specialized medical expenses, school trips, sports activities. These are usually split 50% between parents, unless otherwise agreed.
What falls under Ordinary Expenses?
Ordinary expenses are those that the custodial parent regularly incurs for the child's daily life. They do not require detailed accounting and are all-inclusive of: Food: Daily meals and school cafeteria fees often considered ordinary. Housing: Utilities, rent, or condominium fees for the home where the child lives. Clothing: Routine purchases for personal care. Basic Education: Standard stationery and school supplies. Routine Medical Care: Co-pays for basic visits or over-the-counter medications. To understand how the correct amount is calculated, consult our guide on child support payments/guide/child-support-complete-guide.
What falls under Extraordinary Expenses?
Extraordinary expenses go beyond normal maintenance and are often divided into two categories: 1. Extraordinary expenses requiring prior consent: These concern important educational or health decisions e.g., private school, master's degree, orthodontic treatment, competitive sports activities. If a parent incurs them without consulting the other, they may lose the right to reimbursement. 2. Mandatory extraordinary expenses without consent: These are urgent or necessary expenses that cannot be opposed e.g., emergency surgery, school textbooks, university fees. It is crucial to refer to the local Court Protocol, as each city may have variations on what is considered "ordinary" or "extraordinary." To learn more, read our FAQ on the extraordinary expenses table/faq/tribunal-extraordinary-expenses-table.
How to manage reimbursement for extraordinary expenses?
One of the most common questions on GenGle concerns reimbursement methods. Typically, the parent who incurs the expense must send proof of purchase invoice or detailed receipt to the other parent within a set timeframe often 10 or 30 days. The other parent is required to reimburse their share usually 50% within the timeframe specified in the separation or divorce decree. In case of conflicts, it is always helpful to consult an expert in our glossary of legal terms/glossary/family-law-terms.