How should co-parents split expenses?

The most common approach is income-proportional: if Parent A earns 60% of combined income, they pay 60% of shared expenses. This is fairer than 50/50 when incomes differ significantly. Our calculator supports income-based, equal, custody-based, and hybrid methods.

What expenses should co-parents split?

Typically split: education (tuition, supplies, tutoring), healthcare (insurance, copays, dental), childcare (daycare, babysitting), extracurricular activities, clothing, and food for the child. Expenses during your own custody time (food, housing) usually aren't split.

How does custody affect expense splitting?

With 50/50 custody, expenses are usually split by income ratio. With 70/30 custody, the parent with less time may pay more in child support but split additional expenses differently. Our hybrid method weighs both income and custody time.

Is this the same as child support?

No — child support is a court-ordered payment from one parent to the other. This calculator is for splitting additional expenses (medical bills, school fees, activities) that come up beyond the base support amount. Many co-parents need both.

AI-PoweredLife Event SplitsFree — No sign-up

Co-Parenting Expense Calculator

Calculate a fair split of child-related expenses between co-parents. Enter each parent's income, the custody arrangement, and expenses by category (education, healthcare, childcare, activities, clothing, food). Choose from income-proportional, equal, custody-based, or hybrid splitting methods. Get a clear breakdown of who owes what.

By Baljeet AulakhUpdated February 2026Reviewed for accuracy

Co-parents typically split child expenses proportionally to income. If Parent A earns $6,000/month and Parent B earns $4,000/month, Parent A pays 60% of shared expenses like education, healthcare, and activities. Enter both incomes and expenses below for a fair breakdown.

Parents

Parent 1 Monthly Income

Parent 2 Monthly Income

Number of Children

1child

Custody Split

50% / 50%

Parent 1 has 50% custody time

Child Expenses

Total Monthly Expenses$0.00

Split Method

Each parent pays proportionally to their income. Higher earner pays more.

How This Calculator Works

Enter Your Details

Fill in amounts, people, and preferences. Takes under 30 seconds.

Get Fair Results

See an instant breakdown with data-driven calculations and Fairness Scores.

Share & Settle

Copy a shareable link to discuss results with everyone involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Wedding Split

Wedding cost calculator to split expenses between families and the couple. Compare traditional, modern, and custom methods. Free — no sign-up.

Profit Split

Calculate fair equity and profit splits between business partners based on capital invested, time contributed, and roles.

Nanny Share

Calculate how much each family saves by sharing a nanny. Split costs by number of children and see annual savings.

Rent Split

Rent split calculator that divides rent fairly by room size, bathrooms, closets, and income. Free AI Fairness Score and shareable results — no sign-up needed.

Bill Split

Split bill calculator for restaurants and group expenses. Divide by item, calculate tax and tip per person, and share results — 100% free, no sign-up.

Trip Expenses

Track and split trip expenses between friends. See who owes whom with optimized settlement.

Explore 39+ Free Calculators

Split rent, bills, tips, trips, wedding costs, childcare, and more.

Browse All Calculators