If you're a new co-parent or are engaged in a custody battle, you may be unsure what to expect as you transition into this new stage of your life as a caregiver. Knowing what costs to expect at the end of your custody case can help you ensure your child receives the resources they need and deserve to thrive.
To schedule a consultation with our custody attorneys for your case, contact us online or via phone at (704) 659-0007.
Home Expenses May Take Up a Bigger Portion of the Budget
If you were previously married to your co-parent and recently divorced, you may find that home and living expenses take up a bigger portion of your budget than they did previously.
When parents are living together, they can share the expenses related to housing a child. However, when they divorce, even if they move into a smaller living space, they'll (probably) still want enough room to comfortably house their child. As a result, many new co-parents find themselves effectively paying for a living space almost as large as the one they shared with their spouse pre-divorce, but on a tighter budget.
Home expenses can be particularly tough to deal with if you went through a contested divorce. The average cost of a contested divorce is $15,000 in the U.S., which is why so many courts and attorneys will advise divorcees - particularly co-parents - to try and use mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to achieve an uncontested divorce. Uncontested divorce typically costs significantly less, enabling the parties to delegate more money toward home expenses post-divorce.
Academic Expenses
Your child may be able to take certain implements - such as a laptop or school supplies - from house to house, but you'll probably still need to provide them with a place to work and academic materials.
If you were used to sharing these expenses with a co-parent, it could be an unexpected burden that adds up quickly.
Miscellaneous Expenses
Other common expenses co-parents may find themselves needing to budget for include:
- Childcare. This is a big one, especially if you didn't need childcare while married to your co-parent. Childcare can easily cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month, and is often one of the biggest expenses for new co-parents.
- Transportation. If you're a recently divorced co-parent, you'll no longer be able to split transportation or gas costs. You may even need to buy a new vehicle depending on the outcome of your divorce, which could cost a pretty penny.
- Healthcare. If you're recently divorced, you may not be able to take advantage of the same insurance premiums you enjoyed pre-divorce. As a result, healthcare and other insurance costs could go up for you.
At Rech Law, P.C., our team is here to help you find the best path forward in your custody case. To schedule a consultation with our team, contact us online or via phone at (704) 659-0007.