The court order states that I am responsible for half of extracurricular. However, there is no clarification on limits or if this needs to be agreed upon or not. Is it understood that it should be agreed upon? My child’s mother does not discuss or communicate any extra curricular activities she enrolls our daughter in. I am generally completely unaware until I receive the bill. I have no issue paying for items that I anticipate or expect, but the lack of inclusion and the surprises are very frustrating. Am I obligated to pay half even if I did not agree to it? What recourse do I have other than going back to court?
Typically the court order will state responsibility for mutually agreed upon extracurricular activities. If yours does not, check your custody order and the legal custody and decision-making paragraphs. Oftentimes it’s included within the legal custody section that extracurriculars should be mutually agreed upon.
Otherwise, you would be responsible for half of the extracurricular costs regardless assuming your child support and/or custody order do not specify.
You can file a motion to modify child support if there has been a substantial change in circumstances affecting the wellbeing of the minor child(ren). The child(ren)'s needs increasing is one factor of many to consider in a motion to modify child support.
Anna Ayscue
Attorney with Rosen Law Firm Cary • Chapel Hill • Durham • Raleigh • Wake Forest
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