Key Takeaways
- How to address extracurricular activities in your Colorado parenting plan
- What the law says about extracurricular costs in child support
- Common ways of dividing activity expenses in Colorado parenting arrangements
- Tips for handling scheduling conflicts and communication
- Why parents in Denver, Colorado Springs, and across Colorado should plan ahead
Why Extracurriculars Matter in Parenting Plans
From soccer and piano lessons to robotics club and dance recitals, extracurricular activities are a big part of a child’s life. They help with social skills, confidence, and education. But for divorced or separated parents in Colorado, these activities often bring up questions about cost, time, and decision-making.
Who pays for what? Who drives where? And what happens when schedules overlap?
The good news is that your Colorado parenting plan can, and should, include clear details about how to handle both the costs and the logistics of extracurricular activities.
Are Extracurricular Costs Covered in Child Support?
In most child custody cases, extracurricular costs in child support are not automatically included in the basic monthly support payment. Standard child support in Colorado typically covers essentials like housing, clothing, and food.
If you want those additional expenses shared fairly, they need to be addressed either in your Colorado parenting plan or in a separate court order. Without clear terms, one parent may be left covering the cost alone, or disputes may arise over whether an activity is “necessary.”
Dividing Activity Expenses in Colorado Parenting Plans
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to dividing activity expenses in Colorado. What matters most is finding an arrangement that is fair, realistic, and clearly spelled out in writing.
Here are some common ways parents choose to split costs:
- Evenly (50/50): Each parent pays half of all agreed-upon extracurricular activities
- Income-based split: Costs are divided according to each parent’s percentage of total income
- Responsibility by activity: One parent pays for one activity, while the other pays for another.
- Pre-approval required: Parents agree to share only pre-approved expenses
No matter how you choose to handle it, the most important thing is to write it down in your Colorado parenting plan. That way, both parents know what to expect and what they’re responsible for.
Scheduling Around Extracurricular Activities
In addition to money, time is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to extracurricular activities. Practice schedules, games, competitions, and rehearsals can easily clash with parenting time.
To reduce conflict, your Colorado parenting plan should address:
- Transportation to and from extracurricular activities
- Conflicts between parenting time and activity schedules
- Communication when schedule changes come up
- What happens when a child wants to try something new mid-year
Families in Colorado Springs and Denver often benefit from using shared calendars or co-parenting apps, like OurFamilyWizard, to manage their child’s schedule. These tools make it easier to stay informed and avoid last-minute surprises.
What If One Parent Refuses to Pay or Participate?
It’s not uncommon for one parent to feel that certain extracurricular activities are unnecessary or too expensive. This often leads to tension if there’s no clear agreement in your Colorado parenting plan.
Without a written agreement, the court may not enforce payment or reimbursement. That’s why it’s important to include specific language about dividing activity expenses in Colorado and how decisions about new activities will be made.
Consider including terms in your parenting plan that require:
- Mutual agreement before enrolling a child in high-cost or time-consuming extracurricular activities
- Advance notice and documentation before asking for reimbursement
- A yearly limit on total activity expenses that each parent is expected to share
The clearer your agreement is, the easier it is to avoid arguments about extracurricular costs in child support.
When It’s Time to Update the Parenting Plan
Parents in Denver and Colorado Springs can modify their parenting plan by agreement or, if needed, through a court motion.
Reasons for updates might include:
- New extracurricular activities not originally discussed
- Significant changes in financial situations
- Frequent disagreements about scheduling or cost
- Unclear expectations that are creating conflict
Tips for Avoiding Disputes Over Activities
Here are a few ways to keep extracurricular activities from turning into a point of conflict:
- Talk early and often about upcoming activities
- Be clear about cost-sharing in your parenting plan
- Use shared calendars to track practices, games, and recitals
- Put agreements in writing so expectations are clear
- Focus on what’s best for your child, not what’s convenient for you
A well-structured Colorado parenting plan can help keep co-parenting smooth, even when life gets busy.
Let’s Make Your Parenting Plan Work for Your Child’s Full Schedule
Extracurricular activities are an important part of your child’s development. Whether it’s sports, music, art, or academic clubs, making sure those experiences are supported by both parents takes planning.
At Colorado Legal Group, we help families in Denver and Colorado Springs build parenting plans that make room for real life, including the costs and schedules that come with it. Whether you’re setting up a new plan or modifying an existing one, we can help you address extracurricular costs in child support and dividing activity expenses in Colorado the right way.
Contact Colorado Legal Group today to start creating a parenting plan that works for you, your child, and your budget.