Contact Us Today 951-715-4632

Cullen Family Law Group
  • Home
  • About
  • Attorneys
    • Heather M. Cullen, CFLS
    • Alexandria Jaquay, CFLS
    • Moonazza “Mona” Naqvi
    • Da Nikka Huss
  • Services
    • Family Law
    • Divorce
    • Child Custody & Visitation
    • Child Support
    • Estate Planning In Divorce
    • Guardianship & Adoption
    • Legal Separation
    • Military Divorce
    • Property Division
    • Spousal Support
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Media
    • Articles
  • Contact
Cullen Family Law Group
  • Home
  • Firm Overview
  • Attorney Profiles
    • Heather M. Cullen, CFLS
    • Alexandria Jaquay, CFLS
    • Moonazza “Mona” Naqvi
    • Da Nikka Huss
  • Practice Areas
    • Family Law
    • Divorce
    • Child Custody And Visitation
    • Child Support
    • Domestic Violence
    • Guardianship & Adoption
    • Legal Separation
    • Military Divorce
    • Property Division
    • Spousal Support
  • Client Recommendations
  • Blog
  • Media
    • Articles
    • Video Center
  • Contact
  • x Close
EMAIL

CALL

Fast. Fair. Thorough.

Splitting holiday expenses with your ex

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Dec 1, 2017 | Child Support |

Nobody ever claimed it was cheap to raise a child.

If you’re already paying child support, you may think that you’ve done your share. However, child support is designed to cover the basic needs of the child, not the extras — like presents and other expenses during the holiday season.

If you have children, these are some of the holiday expenses that your child support may not be enough to cover:

  • Holiday outfits for pictures, school events, church or trips to the grandparents’ houses
  • Pictures of the kids, if that’s a routine gift that your extended family (especially aunts, uncles and grandparents) expect
  • Small gifts of appreciation for the kids’ teachers, coaches, babysitters or other special people in your children’s lives
  • Your child’s required outfit for the school choir or dance recital, including shoes
  • If you have teenagers, outfits and tickets for special school dances, like Homecomings, which are often held around this time of year
  • Presents for your children, at any age, including stocking stuffers, if your family celebrates Christmas or any other gift-giving holiday

If this is the first year after your divorce, you may not be thinking about all of things until the season is in full tilt — which may cause you a little panic.

Here’s the best advice to follow on how to handle the situation when your child support is just not enough to cover the extras that you know your child wants, expects and maybe even needs to have a normal holiday.

  1. Set up a time to talk with your ex about the issue. Agree that no other subject is open for discussion.
  2. Figure out in advance what you can afford to spend extra on either any given item, event or in total and remember that you cannot promise more than that.
  3. Try to work with your ex on cutting out unnecessary costs. For example, you can agree to pay half the cost of a dance dress for your teen daughter, but get her other parent to agree that your daughter can do her hair and nails at home — which will save on the expensive salon visit.

Effective parenting involves learning to compromise. For parents who are divorced, learning to compromise over extra expenses related to their children is just an additional part of the job. If you’re having real trouble, however, with child support issues, consider getting legal assistance.

Source: money.usnews.com, “How to Split Parenting Expenses With Your Ex,” Geoff Williams, accessed Dec. 01, 2017

I’ve been served divorce papers that include false allegations: what do I do?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Jun 6, 2025 | Domestic Violence

Receiving divorce papers is already overwhelming. When false allegations are part of the paperwork, the situation can feel even more difficult. It’s essential to stay calm and know how to address the issue. Here’s what to do if you receive divorce papers containing...

Do domestic partnerships affect divorce rights?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Apr 14, 2025 | Divorce

Domestic partnerships offer many of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, but they can complicate the divorce process. If you're ending a domestic partnership, your legal path may differ from that of a traditional divorce, especially in California....

Moore / Marsden calculations in California divorce

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Apr 10, 2025 | Divorce

In California, Moore/Marsden calculations determine how to divide property when one spouse’s separate property has contributed to the acquisition or improvement of community property. These calculations ensure a fair division of property in divorce cases, particularly...

How can you document SP for asset protection?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Apr 3, 2025 | Family Law

When you're about to get married, it's important to think about how to protect your assets, including spousal support (SP) money. If you've received spousal support in the past or expect it during your marriage, you may worry about documenting its use—especially if...

What to expect during child support enforcement actions

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Mar 23, 2025 | Child Support

Child support represents the financial contributions a non-custodial parent makes towards their child's upbringing. It ensures a parent meets the child's basic needs, such as food, housing, and education. It also supports a child's wellbeing, especially when parents...

Can you reimburse expenses before child support orders take effect?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Mar 17, 2025 | Child Support

After a separation, managing child-related expenses can become a challenging task, especially before any official child support orders take effect. Many parents wonder if they can reimburse child expenses during this interim period. Understanding your rights and...

Do mothers have more rights than fathers in custody cases?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Mar 11, 2025 | Custody & Visitation

When it comes to custody cases, it is a common misconception that mothers have more rights than fathers. This often stems from historical trends and societal assumptions about parenting roles. Whether you are a mother concerned about maintaining your relationship with...

Why should you update your advanced directives during a divorce?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Feb 28, 2025 | Divorce

Going through a divorce is challenging. One crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is updating your advanced directives. These legal documents play a vital role in ensuring others respect your wishes, even when you cannot speak for yourself. Protecting your...

Can you protect yourself and your children without a divorce?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Feb 25, 2025 | Domestic Violence

Domestic violence creates a terrifying and dangerous situation. You may feel trapped, believing divorce is your only option for safety. The good news is that California law provides legal alternatives if your moral beliefs prevent you from getting a divorce. Let us...

What can California parents do if their child refuses to visit the other parent?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Feb 14, 2025 | Child Custody

Dealing with a child who does not want to see their other parent can create stress for everyone involved. California courts expect parents to follow custody orders while being sensitive to their children's feelings. Parents can struggle to balance their legal...

« Older Entries

Recent Posts

  • I’ve been served divorce papers that include false allegations: what do I do?
  • Do domestic partnerships affect divorce rights?
  • Moore / Marsden calculations in California divorce
  • How can you document SP for asset protection?

Categories

  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Custody & Visitation
  • Divorce
  • Domestic Violence
  • Family Law
  • Firm News
  • Military Divorce
  • Property Division
  • Same – Sex Couples & Divorce

Archives

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

Find Out How We Can Help You.

Call 951-715-4601, chat with us, or request a consultation below.

Riverside Office

4094 Chestnut Street
Riverside, CA 92501
951-715-4632

Fax: 951-715-4601

Riverside Office
Cullen Family Law Group

Temecula Office

28465 Old Town Front Street
Suite 321
Temecula, CA 92590
951-715-4632

Fax: 951-715-4601

Temecula Office
Review Us
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
Pay Invoice

We accept Visa, MC, Discover, AMEX & E-checks.

© 2025 Cullen Family Law Group • All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw