First Things First: develop a parenting plan that supports the yearly sports schedule, including practices, games, and summer camps. Don’t wedge a youth sports plan into what works best for you and the ex. Understand that sports schedules will cut into your shared parenting time.
Child Support: youth sports is considered an “extracurricular” activity by most state courts (check with your jurisdiction). What this means is that in many states you cannot force the ex to pay for certain sports activities in a child support plan. Develop a game plan for approaching an uncooperative ex about sharing youth sports expenses. Explain the benefits that youth sports can provide for your child’s development. Consider low-conflict, non-litigation solutions like mediation or collaborative law to create a shared-payment plan for youth sports expenses.
Best Interests Standard: when in doubt, fall back to the default position of doing what is in the best interests of the child.
