How Are a Child’s Uncovered Medical Expenses and Extracurricular Activities Paid in Georgia?

Author : Jeanette Soltys

When co-parenting after divorce or separation, expenses can extend well beyond basic child support. Parents often face additional costs such as co-pays, prescriptions, orthodontics, sports fees, or music lessons. Understanding how these expenses are handled under Georgia law—and how they can be negotiated—can help families avoid unnecessary conflict and financial strain.

What Are Uncovered Medical Expenses?

Uncovered medical expenses are any health-related costs not paid by insurance. These may include:

• Co-pays for doctor visits or prescriptions

• Deductibles

• Therapy or counseling sessions not fully covered

• Dental and vision expenses

• Specialized treatments or evaluations

In Georgia, these costs are typically divided between the parents in one of two ways:

50/50 Split

The most common method is an even 50/50 division, where each parent pays half of the out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Income-Based Division

Alternatively, uncovered medical costs can be divided based on each parent’s pro rata share of the total family income. For example:

• If one parent earns 75% of the combined income and the other earns 25%, the expenses may be split 75/25.

• Parents may also agree to a different ratio—such as 60/40 or 70/30—if that feels fairer based on their financial situations.

Whichever method is chosen, it should be clearly spelled out in the parenting plan or final court order to prevent future disputes.

Who Pays for Extracurricular Activities?

Extracurricular activities—like sports, clubs, dance, or art classes—fall into a more flexible category under Georgia law. Technically, the state’s child support guidelines assume that a portion of basic child support will go toward these activities. However, this can be unrealistic when kids participate in multiple programs or more costly pursuits.

Parents can agree to handle these expenses separately and may choose to split them:

• Evenly (50/50)

• Pro rata by income (e.g., 75/25)

• By individual agreement for each activity

This flexibility allows parents to tailor their agreement to their unique situation, whether it’s managing travel soccer fees or covering the cost of private music lessons.

Making It Work in Your Parenting Plan

To avoid misunderstandings and late reimbursements, it’s important to clearly outline how these expenses will be shared. Consider addressing:

• Which types of expenses require prior approval

• How costs should be documented and submitted for reimbursement

• When payments or reimbursements should be made

• Whether there’s a cap on extracurricular spending

The more detailed your agreement, the smoother your co-parenting relationship will be when it comes to shared financial responsibilities.

Our child support services  can help you understand your rights and responsibilities, and craft a parenting plan that’s fair, flexible, and future-focused.

Schedule a discovery call to learn how we can support you.