Which expenses are involved?
After a separation, expenses relating to the children are split between the two parents according to a sharing key defined in the agreement or set by the judge. But day to day, who actually pays for what?
Medical expenses
This is the most sensitive category. Medical expenses include:
- Visits to the doctor, paediatrician, dentist
- Orthodontic costs (often significant)
- Optical care (glasses, contact lenses)
- Medication and specialised treatments
- The portion not reimbursed by health insurance (deductible + co-payment)
School-related expenses
- School supplies, school bag, mandatory sports clothing
- School trips and camps
- Canteen and after-school care
- Private tutoring and academic support
Extracurricular activities
- Sport (football, swimming, tennis, dance, martial arts...)
- Music (lessons, instrument rental or purchase)
- Leisure activities and holiday camps
The sharing key
The split of expenses between parents is generally defined in the divorce agreement or set by the judge. The default is often 50/50, but it can be adjusted based on each parent's income (for example 60/40 or 70/30).
In CoParent.ch, a slider from 0 to 100% lets you set each parent's share for every expense. The balance is calculated automatically and updated in real time.
Put the agreed sharing key in writing. In case of disagreement, a written agreement - even a simple one - is worth more than a verbal one.
The importance of receipts
Every shared expense must be backed by an invoice or receipt. Without proof, the other parent is entitled to dispute the expense. Make it a habit to:
- Photograph every invoice as soon as you receive it
- Keep the originals for at least 5 years
- Note the payment date and the method used
CoParent.ch offers AI scanning of receipts: photograph the invoice with your phone, and the AI (hosted in Switzerland) automatically extracts the amount, date, child and category.
Extraordinary expenses
Certain significant expenses - braces, glasses, non-urgent surgery, a school trip abroad - require prior agreement from both parents before being incurred. Without agreement, the other parent may refuse to contribute to the reimbursement.
Export for taxes and mediation
In Switzerland, children's medical expenses may be tax-deductible depending on your canton. CoParent.ch's annual export lets you generate a complete summary by period, by child and by category - ready to send to your accountant or lawyer.