Expenses that are easier to understand and to find.

Decide what needs discussing first

List the types of expense you track, and those you need to talk about before paying. If child maintenance has been set, it covers all costs in principle. The decision can, however, provide for some costs to be shared, such as medical care that is not reimbursed, school trips, driving lessons or leisure activities. If it only sets a monthly sum, the parent who receives the maintenance cannot impose other costs without going to the judge. So reread what has been decided before splitting an expense.

One line per purchase

Note the date, the item, the amount, who paid, each parent’s share and whether it has been settled. File the receipt straight away: you will not have to hunt for it later.

Review regularly

At an agreed interval, look together at what is still to be paid back. The free paper kit is a simple way to start. In Parentello, each expense keeps its receipt and the balance is worked out automatically.

Maintenance paid through the Caf

When maintenance is set by a court ruling or another enforceable document, it is in principle paid through the Aripa, a service of the Caf or MSA. This has been systematic since a 2021 law, unless both parents refuse it before the judge or it is ruled out for a stated reason. It is imposed where there has been violence. The service is free; if payments are missed, fees are charged to the parent who owes the maintenance. For an indicative estimate of the amount or its annual uprating, Service Public provides a simulator and a dedicated page.

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