Expense Documentation for Divorce, Custody, and Taxes

Introduction

When you’re facing a divorce or custody dispute, keeping detailed records of child-related expenses is one of the most important steps you can take. Good documentation can strengthen your legal position and ensure that you receive or provide the proper financial support for your child.

Certain expenses tracked for custody purposes may also help you at tax time. Using the same expense tracking system for both custody and tax purposes offers two major benefits: you avoid duplicating effort, and you make it much easier to find supporting documents if the IRS ever requests them.

Documenting Expenses in Child Support Determinations

When calculating child support, courts look at many factors to ensure the child’s needs are met. These include each parent’s income, the number of children, the time-sharing arrangement, and additional costs such as child care or health insurance. One crucial element is documented child-related expenses—concrete proof of costs like medical bills or daycare fees.

Below you’ll find a practical overview of key expense categories and sample documentation that courts and professionals recommend tracking for child support purposes. Use this table as a checklist or reference when gathering your own records.

Category	Examples
Housing, Food & Clothing	Rent or mortgage statements confirming the child’s residence Clothing receipts tagged with the child’s size Photos of labeled clothing items as proof of purchase
Medical Care & Insurance	Doctor and dentist invoices Pharmacy receipts and prescription labels Explanation‑of‑benefits (EOB) statements Insurance premium statements for the child’s coverage
Child Care	Daycare invoices with provider tax ID Nanny payroll or payment‑app screenshots After‑school program bills Time‑stamped sign‑in sheets confirming attendance
Educational Fees	Tuition and enrollment statements Field‑trip or lab‑fee receipts Invoices for school supplies or required devices Copies of payment confirmations
Extracurricular & Social Activities	Sports league registration receipts Music or art lesson invoices Camp payment confirmations Photos of uniforms or equipment purchased
Transportation	Public transit passes for school rides Ride‑share receipts to and from custody exchanges Mileage logs for personal vehicle use Airline or train tickets for parenting‑time travel
Holiday Trips & Vacations	Flight and hotel booking confirmations Travel insurance receipts Itinerary showing parenting‑time allocation Photos of the child during the trip as proof of travel

Other Items Worth Tracking:

• If the other parent was responsible for certain expenses and failed to pay, your records of those unpaid costs can be presented as evidence as well.
• You may also want to track other expenses that are not strictly child‑related but may qualify you for valuable tax deductions or credits. See the Tax Considerations section below for details.

Documented Expenses in Initial Support Orders

When a child support order is being determined for the first time (for example, during a divorce or separation proceeding), that’s the time to ensure all relevant expenses are presented to the court.

In the U.S., the standard guideline formula (a formula set by state law, based primarily on parents’ incomes, custody time, and number of children) will be the starting point, but most guidelines allow additions or deviations for certain documented costs.

Here’s how documented expenses can affect an initial order:

• Add-ons to the guideline formula: Expenses like health insurance premiums and childcare are often added on top of the base support obligation. The court will typically require proof of the cost. For example, if you pay for your child’s health insurance through your employer, present a pay stub or insurer statement showing the monthly premium for the child’s coverage. That amount can then be allocated between parents—usually by adjusting the support amount or ordering reimbursement. Similarly, if you incur daycare costs so you can work, having invoices or receipts from the daycare will allow the judge to add that cost and split it according to the formula (often proportionate to income). If you don’t bring proof, a court might assume a standard or average cost, or might not include it at all, which could leave you under-supported.
• Demonstrating the child’s special needs: If your child has special medical or educational needs, document those expenses thoroughly before the support hearing. Provide copies of bills for therapy, assistive devices, tutoring, special education programs, and similar costs. Courts generally include ongoing medical needs above ordinary healthcare in the support order and may require the other parent to pay a share directly or increase the monthly support amount. The more detailed and organized your evidence—such as an itemized list of monthly costs with receipts—the easier it is for the court to adjust support accordingly.
• Requesting a deviation (higher or lower): Family courts can adjust the guideline support amount if the standard figure doesn’t reflect your child’s real needs or the fairness of each parent’s situation. Documented expenses are essential for making this argument. If you believe the guideline is too low—such as when you pay more for a special-needs daycare than the formula covers—bring contracts and receipts to justify an upward adjustment. If you’re paying support and already cover significant costs (like private school, health insurance, or travel for visitation) that the guideline doesn’t credit, you can request a downward deviation by showing proof of those payments. Courts will only make adjustments if you provide solid evidence, and any change must still ensure your child is adequately supported.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff: You don’t need to itemize every minor expense for court—listing every grocery trip or small purchase isn’t required. Focus on the big-ticket and recurring expenses. Those are what move the needle in calculations. However, it’s wise to keep a personal budget of what you spend on the child monthly (housing, food, etc.) so you have a sense of the child’s needs. This can be useful in mediation or negotiation. But in front of a judge, stick to the expenses that the law recognizes for adjustments (childcare, insurance, medical, education, etc., as described above).

In summary, at the time of the initial child support order, bring all relevant documentation: receipts, bills, invoices, contracts, proof of payment. Courts consider a wide range of factors – including these documented expenses – to ensure the support order is fair and sufficient.

Using Expense Documentation for Support Modifications

Child support isn’t set in stone – as life goes on, orders can be modified if circumstances change significantly. A common reason for modification is a change in financial circumstances or expenses related to the child. Here’s how documented expenses come into play when adjusting support after the initial order:

• Increases in expenses (upward modifications): If the cost of raising your child rises substantially—such as new medical needs, braces, or starting an expensive extracurricular activity—the custodial parent may request an increase in support. Courts typically require proof of a "material change" since the last order, so keep detailed records of any new or higher expenses (e.g., medical bills, tuition, activity fees). Present this documentation when filing for a modification to show why the original support is now inadequate. The judge will consider whether these new expenses are reasonable and necessary, and may order the other parent to contribute by increasing support or covering certain bills directly.
• Decreases or elimination of expenses (downward modifications): If a significant expense included in the original support order ends—such as daycare costs when a child starts school full-time—the paying parent can request a reduction in support. Gather documentation showing the expense has ended or decreased (for example, a letter or invoice from the daycare, or receipts confirming the drop in costs). Present this evidence to the court to support recalculating support without the previous amount. Other common reasons for a downward modification include a loan or special expense being paid off, or a costly activity ending. Substantial increases in the custodial parent’s income may also justify a reduction, but those changes are documented with income records rather than expense receipts.
• Changes in custody or time share: If the parenting schedule changes after the initial order—such as one parent taking on more overnights or moving to shared custody—support may be modified to reflect the new arrangement. Because time share is a factor in support, such a change can warrant modification. To request a change, keep thorough documentation of actual time spent with the child. More time typically means more direct expenses, which can justify a reduction in support; conversely, less time may support an increase for the other parent.
• Enforcing expense-sharing arrangements: If you and the other parent have an agreement to split specific child-related expenses—whether as part of a court-approved order or an informal arrangement—keep thorough documentation of every expense and payment. If the arrangement breaks down, detailed records (receipts, payment history, communication about requests) are vital for showing what was spent and what was or wasn’t reimbursed. Courts will rely on this evidence if they need to intervene or enforce payment. Even if the agreement is informal, saving receipts and maintaining a ledger allows you to demonstrate the true expense history if a formal order becomes necessary. Many support orders also require sharing certain costs (such as unreimbursed medical bills); you will usually need to present timely proof of these expenses to get reimbursement. If you don’t document it, you can’t enforce it.
• Thresholds for modifications: Many states require a minimum change—such as a 15% difference in support amount or a set amount of time—before the court will grant a modification. Check your state’s specific rules or ask an attorney. Regardless of the threshold, if you’re considering a future modification, start keeping detailed records of any changes in expenses or income now to strengthen your case later.

In all modification scenarios, documentation is your evidence. Courts need objective proof of changes – simply saying "I spend a lot more on the kids now" or "my ex is making more money" is not enough. Save receipts, bills, pay stubs, and written agreements. These records let you avoid "he said/she said" situations if your case returns to court.

Typical Questions Lawyers May Ask

Below are some examples of questions you might be asked in court or during negotiations. Being prepared for these will help you present your case more confidently and effectively.

• Was this expense necessary and agreed upon in advance?
• Do you have original, itemized receipts and proof of payment?
• Who actually paid for this expense—was it you or someone else?
• When exactly was the expense incurred, and was it during the relevant period?
• Did you notify the other parent and provide them an opportunity to pay their share?
• Are these costs above and beyond the base child support amount?
• Has any part of this expense already been reimbursed or covered by another source?
• Can you provide documentation showing the child’s special need or requirement?

Legal Requirements for Evidence

To help you prepare evidence that will be accepted by the court, here are the most common types of supporting documents for custody-related expenses, along with the legal requirements each must meet:

Document Type	Legal Requirements
Receipt	Should show date of purchase, amount, vendor name, and item(s) purchased. Should clearly indicate the item/service relates to the child (note/label may be added if unclear). Original or a clear, unaltered digital copy (scan/photo) is generally acceptable. Should not have visible alterations or handwritten changes to amounts/dates.
Invoice/Bill	Must include date, name and address of service provider, description of service, and amount due/paid. Should identify the child or parent receiving the service (or attach a note explaining if not obvious). If payment is pending, show subsequent proof of payment (e.g., canceled check, bank statement).
Bank/Credit Card Statement	Should display the date, amount, and payee (matching the expense in question). Must be an official, unaltered copy from the financial institution (PDF, printed, or certified digital version). May be redacted to hide unrelated transactions, but keep all relevant info visible.
Canceled Check	Front and back images (showing clearance) are preferred. Should match the name of the payee and the amount on the relevant invoice/expense. Should be linked to the specific child-related expense.
Explanation of Benefits (EOB)	Should show the child’s name, date of service, provider, insurance payment, and out-of-pocket portion. Must be an official document from the insurer (PDF, mailed copy, or certified digital download). Attach receipt for any out-of-pocket payment.
Contract/Agreement	Signed and dated by both parties (parent and provider). Include terms, fee schedule, and child’s name. Attach proof of payment for claimed amounts.
Attendance Records	Should be official (signed by provider/teacher/coach). Show child’s name, dates attended, and link to expense (e.g., for child care reimbursement).
Photos/Scans of Documents	Must be a clear, complete, unaltered image of the original. Accepted if originals are not available, but courts may request to see originals for authentication.

Family law attorneys may attempt to dispute the credibility or relevance of expense records presented as evidence. Understanding these tactics helps you avoid common pitfalls:

• Questioning authenticity: Opposing counsel may claim receipts or documents are fabricated, altered, or incomplete. Original versions, clear digital scans, and proper metadata are preferred for verification.
• Arguing lack of specificity: Lawyers may argue that a receipt or invoice does not clearly show the expense was for the child (e.g., a grocery receipt with non-child items). Adding notes, labels, or supplemental explanations can help.
• Arguing against “proof of payment”: Presenting only an invoice or statement may be deemed insufficient if there’s no corresponding proof that the expense was actually paid (e.g., bank statement, cleared check, or digital payment record).
• Highlighting duplicates or inconsistencies: Lawyers may point out double entries, inconsistent amounts, or mismatches between receipts and bank records. Consistent and organized record-keeping is crucial.
• Raising issues of timing: Expenses incurred outside the relevant time frame (e.g., before separation or after the period under review) may be challenged as inapplicable.

Tax Considerations for Single Parents in the U.S.

Handling taxes as a single or divorced parent can be confusing, but understanding a few key points will help you document the right information and maximize your benefits. Below you will find the main U.S. tax regulations and considerations that are worth reviewing.

Claiming a Child as a Dependent

The IRS has its own rules about who can claim a child as a dependent and who can take certain tax credits. These rules don’t always match what the custody court ordered.

Typically, the custodial parent—the parent with whom the child spends more nights during the year—claims the child for tax purposes, unless a signed IRS Form 8332 or other agreement lets the noncustodial parent claim them instead.

If you want to be recognized as the custodial parent, it’s important to keep accurate records of your parenting time, especially if your parenting plan provides for a close-to 50/50 split. Clear, dated documentation can help show that your child spent more nights with you, which may determine your eligibility to claim the child as a dependent.

For more information about who qualifies as a dependent child for tax purposes—including rules on age, residency, relationship, and support—see the relevant section in IRS Publication 501. This page explains all the requirements you need to meet to claim a child as your dependent.

Which Tax Benefits Require Expense Documentation?

Some U.S. tax benefits for parents require you to carefully track and document specific expenses, while others rely only on general eligibility or relationship. The table below summarizes the most common tax credits and deductions, showing which require detailed record-keeping. In the following sections, we focus on those credits and deductions that involve expense tracking, so you’ll know what to save and how to prepare.

Benefit	Track Expenses?	What to Track / Prove If Needed
Head of Household (HOH) filing status	Yes	Proof you paid >50% of home upkeep (bills, rent, mortgage, etc.)
Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC)	Yes	Care expenses, provider info, payment proof
American Opportunity Credit (AOTC)	Yes	Tuition and required education expenses for your child’s first four years of college, Form 1098-T, receipts
Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)	Yes	Tuition, required fees, required materials paid to the school, Form 1098-T, payment records
Medical and Dental Expense Deduction	Yes	Out-of-pocket medical and dental costs for you or your dependents, above 7.5% of AGI if you itemize. Save receipts and insurance records.
Self‑Employed Health Insurance Deduction	Yes	Premiums for medical, dental, and qualified long‑term care insurance for you and dependents. Save invoices and payment proof.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)	No	Proof of earned income (W-2, 1099, pay stubs)
Child Tax Credit (CTC)	No	Child’s identity, relationship, and residency
Credit for Other Dependents (ODC)	No	Relationship & dependent status

Head of Household Filing Status

Head of Household (HOH) is a special filing status for unmarried parents who carry the main cost of running their home. It lets you pay less tax than the standard single filing status by giving you a larger standard deduction and lower tax rates.

To qualify as HOH, you must meet all three basic conditions:

1. Unmarried at the end of the year
2. A qualifying person (usually your child) lived with you for more than half the year
3. You paid more than half the cost of keeping up the home for the year

Costs that do count toward “keeping up a home”:

• Rent
• Mortgage interest
• Real estate taxes
• Property insurance
• Repairs and maintenance
• Utilities (electric, gas, water, trash, internet, etc.)
• Food eaten in the home

Costs such as clothing, education, medical treatment, vacations, life insurance, and transportation do not count toward this test.

For official guidance, see the IRS Publication 501.

Child and Dependent Care Credit

If you paid someone to take care of your child (under age 13) so that you could work or look for work, you may qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit. This credit is designed to offset a portion of daycare, after-school care, babysitters, or similar care expenses. To claim it, you must have earned income from a job or self-employment – it’s essentially a reward for working parents who incur childcare costs.

The credit covers a percentage of your care expenses, and the exact percentage depends on your income. Lower-income parents get a larger break (up to 35% of eligible expenses), while higher earners get a smaller break (down to 20% of expenses). For the 2024 tax year (returns filed in 2025), there is also a cap on the expenses you can count: you can include up to $3,000 of care expenses for one child, or up to $6,000 for two or more children.

Examples of Child and Dependent Care Expenses
Allowed	Day-care centers and licensed nurseries / preschools for children below kindergarten level Before- or after-school programs for a child who is already in kindergarten or a higher grade Summer day camps (including specialty camps such as soccer or coding) — but not overnight camps In-home or out-of-home caregivers: babysitter, nanny, au-pair, nanny-share, or a dependent-care center that follows state/local rules Household services that include care, such as a cook, maid, housekeeper, or cleaning person, when part of the job is your child’s well-being and protection Transportation provided by the caregiver (for example, the sitter drives the child to day camp) Agency fees, application fees, and required deposits used to secure care (only the portion that goes toward actual care) Employment taxes you pay on the wages of a household employee who is providing the care
Not Allowed	Overnight camps of any kind Private kindergarten tuition or any tuition for 1st grade and above Summer school or academic tutoring programs Babysitting for non-work reasons (like date night, errands, or social events) Food, lodging, clothing, or entertainment costs that can be separated from the care itself Child-support payments Transportation that isn’t provided by the caregiver (or costs to bring the caregiver to your home) Forfeited deposits if your child never actually receives the care Wages paid to disqualified relatives — such as your spouse, your child under 19, anyone you can claim as a dependent, or the child’s other parent (if the child is under 13) Household help unrelated to care (chauffeur, bartender, gardener)

In complex cases—like boarding schools or programs that blend care and instruction—only the portion directly tied to care qualifies. Keep itemized receipts or a provider’s statement to support your claim.

Remember that you’ll need to list the care provider’s name, address, and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN) on your tax return to claim this credit. If the provider is a tax-exempt organization, only the name and address are required. If you are unable to obtain the number despite reasonable efforts, you may still qualify by documenting your attempt and attaching a statement to your return.

Always refer to the most recent guidance, as amounts and rules may change. For full details and worksheets, see IRS Publication 503.

American Opportunity Credit (AOTC)

If you pay for qualified higher education expenses for your child, you may qualify for the American Opportunity Credit (AOTC). This credit helps offset the cost of tuition and related education expenses during your child’s first four years of post-secondary education. It is available to you even if you are a single or divorced parent, as long as your child is your dependent and you meet the income requirements.

For the 2024 tax year (returns filed in 2025), the maximum credit is $2,500 per eligible student. You can claim 100% of the first $2,000 of qualified education expenses you paid, plus 25% of the next $2,000, per student. The AOTC is partially refundable: if the credit brings your tax liability to zero, you can receive up to 40% of any remaining amount as a refund (up to $1,000 per student).

The credit phases out for higher incomes; for the 2024 tax year, the ability to claim the full credit begins to phase out at a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $80,000 for single filers, and is fully phased out at $90,000.

Education Expenses for the American Opportunity Credit (AOTC)
Qualified	Tuition paid to an eligible college or university Mandatory enrollment and course fees Books, supplies, and equipment required for the course
Not Qualified	Room and board; transportation; medical or insurance fees Personal expenses (laundry, meals, entertainment) Sports, games, or hobby courses unless required for the degree

To claim the AOTC, you must have paid expenses for an eligible student (your dependent child) pursuing a degree or recognized credential, enrolled at least half-time for part of the year, and not yet finished four years of higher education. You’ll need a Form 1098-T from the school and receipts for any qualified course materials bought elsewhere.

Always double-check the latest IRS guidance before you file, because dollar limits and income thresholds can change. For full details and current worksheets, see IRS American Opportunity Credit and Publication 970.

Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)

If you pay qualified education expenses for your dependent child, you may be able to claim the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC). This credit helps with the cost of undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree courses—including courses to acquire or improve job skills—at an eligible educational institution. You can claim the LLC even if your child is only taking one course or is not pursuing a degree.

For the 2024 tax year (returns filed in 2025), the LLC is worth up to $2,000 per tax return, not per student. You can claim 20% of the first $10,000 in total qualified education expenses paid for all eligible students in your family. Qualified expenses include tuition and required fees, as well as course materials needed to enroll or attend (if paid directly to the institution).

For 2024, the credit is gradually reduced (phased out) if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is between $80,000 and $90,000 for single filers. You cannot claim the credit if your MAGI is $90,000 or more.

Education Expenses for the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)
Qualified	Tuition paid to an eligible college, university, or vocational school Mandatory fees required for enrollment or attendance Required course materials, but only if paid to the school
Not Qualified	Room and board Transportation Medical expenses or insurance Personal expenses (meals, entertainment, etc.) Books and supplies not required or not paid directly to the school

You can claim the LLC for your child as many years as you qualify, but not for the same student in the same year as the American Opportunity Credit.

To claim the LLC, your dependent child must be enrolled at an eligible school, and you need to receive a Form 1098-T from the institution. Save this form and all records of your payments to support your claim.

As with other education credits, always check for IRS updates before filing, as rules and dollar limits may change. For full details, see IRS LLC page and IRS Publication 970.

Medical and Dental Expense Deduction

While not a credit, you should be aware of the Medical and Dental Expense Deduction—especially if you face high out-of-pocket health costs for yourself or your children. If you itemize deductions (instead of taking the standard deduction), you may be able to deduct unreimbursed medical and dental expenses paid for yourself and your dependents, but only the portion that exceeds 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) for the year.

For the 2024 tax year (returns filed in 2025), you can deduct qualified medical and dental expenses that exceed 7.5% of your AGI. For example, if your AGI is $50,000, the first $3,750 of medical bills (7.5% of $50,000) do not count; but if you have $10,000 in qualified expenses, you could potentially deduct $6,250—the amount over $3,750.

Medical and Dental Expenses for the Deduction
Qualified	Doctor and dentist visits Prescription medications Medical supplies and equipment (e.g., eyeglasses, hearing aids) Payments to hospitals or clinics Certain insurance premiums (including some long-term care premiums) Transportation and lodging related to necessary medical care
Not Qualified	Cosmetic procedures not medically necessary General health items (e.g., toothpaste, vitamins) Gym or health club dues Nonprescription drugs (except insulin) Expenses reimbursed by insurance or other sources

Two important notes:

1. You have to itemize deductions to take this – that means forgoing the standard deduction, so it usually makes sense only if your total deductions (medical plus other categories like mortgage interest, charity, etc.) add up to more than the standard amount.
2. You can’t double-dip on any expenses that were paid by insurance or reimbursed – only the out-of-pocket portion counts.

This deduction can provide some relief in years when you’ve had extraordinary medical burdens, but for routine medical expenses most people won’t clear the 7.5% income hurdle.

For complete lists of allowed and disallowed expenses, see IRS Publication 502: Medical and Dental Expenses.

Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction

If you are self-employed and pay for your own health insurance, you may be able to deduct premiums for yourself, your child, and other dependents—even if you do not itemize deductions. This deduction is especially valuable for single and divorced parents who run a business or freelance.

For the 2024 tax year, you can deduct premiums paid for medical, dental, and qualified long-term care insurance for yourself, your dependents, and any children under 27 at the end of the year—even if the child is not your tax dependent. The deduction cannot exceed your net self-employment income, and you cannot claim it for any month you or your child were eligible for an employer-subsidized plan.

What Insurance Premiums Can Be Deducted?
Qualifies	Medical insurance premiums (including marketplace/ACA plans) Dental insurance premiums Qualified long-term care insurance premiums (subject to annual limits) Coverage for yourself, your dependent children (including children under 27 at year’s end), and other dependents Policies established in your name or your business’s name
Does Not Qualify	Premiums for months you or your child were eligible for an employer-subsidized health plan (even if not enrolled) Insurance paid with pre-tax dollars (such as via a cafeteria plan) Life, disability, or accident insurance premiums Coverage for non-dependents, except children under 27 at year’s end Amounts exceeding your net self-employment income

Complete Form 7206 to figure the deduction, attach it to your return, and then report the result on Schedule 1 (Form 1040). You do not have to itemize to benefit.

For more information and the latest rules, see IRS Instructions for Form 7206.

State Tax Benefits

Finally, remember that your state may offer its own tax credits or deductions for parents and dependents. Many states have a state-level Earned Income Credit or Child Tax Credit that is based on your federal EITC or CTC, often calculated as a percentage of the federal credit. Some states also provide credits for child care expenses, education savings, or other family-related costs. The rules and availability vary widely—for example, a state might offer a refundable credit for child care if you’re a resident.

Be sure to check your state’s revenue department website or tax instruction booklet for a section on credits or deductions for families and single parents. These local benefits can put extra money in your pocket on top of your federal tax breaks.

If you’re unsure, search for your state name plus “tax credits for parents” or contact your state tax agency for details. Federal IRS resources won’t list all state programs, so be sure to review your specific state’s offerings.

Consulting a Tax Professional

If you’re not sure how your custody situation affects your taxes, or if you and your co-parent share expenses or time equally, it’s wise to consult a tax professional familiar with family law. Unified expense tracking will give them (and you) everything needed to make the strongest, most accurate claim possible.

Using Alimentor for Documenting Expenses

Alimentor was built specifically for parents who need clear, reliable records—whether you’re dealing with high-conflict custody, preparing for court, or organizing tax documents. Every feature helps you document, organize, and prove expenses with minimal hassle.

Feature	How to Use for Documenting Expenses
Tracking	Log all child-related expenses—education, healthcare, activities, household costs, and more. Every entry becomes part of your complete financial record.
Planning	Plan upcoming recurring and one-time expenses. Set reminders and add Alimentor widgets to your Home Screen, Lock Screen, or desktop to stay on top of upcoming expenses.
Planned vs. Actual	Enter both expected and actual amounts and dates for any expense. Quickly spot discrepancies—such as underpayments, late payments, or missed reimbursements.
Reimbursements	Track amounts owed to you or paid to the other parent. Log reimbursements as separate entries to ensure everyone’s contributions are clear and accountable.  iOS  Use the built‑in percentage calculator to easily create reimbursements based on recorded expenses following percentages set by the court.
Photo & PDF Attachments	Attach receipts, invoices, payment confirmations, statements, contracts or other documents (PDFs/photos) to relevant records.  iOS  Use the built‑in document scanner to conveniently add scans of long receipts to your records.
Hashtags	Take advantage of hashtags (e.g., #medical, #childcare) for custom grouping and filtering—perfect for tailoring reports for legal, tax, or personal needs.
Disagreement Flags	Mark entries with a disagreement flag if there’s a dispute over payment, amount, or responsibility—making issues easy to review.
Customizable Reports	Generate PDF summaries or journals of expenses. Use advanced text filters and custom section titles to tailor your reports for court, mediation, or tax purposes.
Export to Spreadsheet	Export your data to Excel (.xlsx) for sharing with lawyers, accountants, or for advanced analysis and record-keeping.
Last Modification Date Tracking	You can choose to show the last modification date for each record in your reports—providing extra credibility and transparency if needed for legal purposes.

Understanding Key Fields in Expense Records

Expense records have several key fields. Here’s how to use them:

• Title: Enter a short, clear name for the expense. It’s best to use generic titles like Clothing or Travel rather than very specific descriptions. Consistent titles let Alimentor group expenses together, acting as categories. For example, using Dental Treatment for all orthodontist and dentist bills lets the app show you the total spent on dental care. You can add details in the Notes field if needed, and even include hashtags (e.g., #Medical) to flag expenses for tax or other purposes. These tags become powerful filters when generating reports later on.
• Payer: Select which caregiver paid (or will pay) the expense. This could be you, the other parent, or even a grandparent. For instance, if you paid the school fee, listing yourself as the payer ensures that amount counts toward your total spending in the summary. If you expect the other parent to reimburse part of an expense, still list the person who initially paid as the payer—you’ll record the reimbursement separately.
• Beneficiaries: Choose who the expense was for – usually your child or children. If it benefits more than one, select each; Alimentor will automatically split the amount equally between them in reports. For reimbursements, choose the other parent as the beneficiary to track money exchanged between caregivers.
• Status: Mark expense as Planned if it’s an upcoming or scheduled. Use Actual for expenses that have been incurred/paid. If an expected expense never gets paid, you can mark it Canceled. For example, if your ex was supposed to pay half a school fee by a certain date and didn’t, you might cancel that reimbursement record to show it went unpaid. You can also use the Disagreement flag on the record to highlight a contested or missed payment. For unplanned expenses that you didn’t schedule in advance (like an emergency purchase), simply add them as Actual and leave the Scheduled switch off.

How-To Examples

• Medical Bill with Percentage Split: After a pediatric appointment, you pay a $148 medical bill for your child. Your custody agreement states that the other parent will cover 60% of all out-of-pocket medical expenses. In Alimentor, you record a new expense titled Medical Care for $148, with yourself as the payer and your child as the beneficiary. You scan the doctor’s invoice and attach it to the expense, so proof of the cost is on file. Next, you add a reimbursement record for the amount owed by the other parent. Using Alimentor’s built‑in percentage calculator (available on iPhone/iPad), you quickly determine that 60% of $148 is $88.80 and set the reimbursement amount accordingly, with a due date such as the insurance billing deadline next month. When your co‑parent sends you the $88.80, you mark that reimbursement as paid.
• Childcare Expense for Tax Credit: You incur monthly daycare costs while you work, paying the daycare $500 per month. In Alimentor, you set up a recurring expense titled Daycare, with yourself as the payer and your child as the beneficiary. Each time a payment is made, you change the status of the respective record to Actual, and attach a photo or PDF of the daycare’s invoice, along with proof of actual payment (such as a bank statement or payment confirmation). To prepare for taxes, you tag every entry with the #CDCC hashtag (short for "Child and Dependent Care Credit") in the notes. Over the year, you’ll have 12 such records. When it’s time to file your taxes, you filter your Alimentor report by that hashtag or expense title—it will show the total amount you paid for the year (for example, $6,000), which you can then use on your tax form. If the IRS ever questions your credit, you have a neatly organized set of receipts and records for each payment. This level of documentation means you’re fully prepared to defend your claim and helps you double-check that you haven’t missed any payments when calculating your total credit.
• Recording an Unplanned Expense: Your child’s soccer cleats unexpectedly rip, and you rush to buy a new pair for $50 during your parenting time. This wasn’t a budgeted expense—it just popped up. In Alimentor, you create a new expense record titled Sports Gear, with yourself as the payer, your child as the beneficiary, and the amount set to $50. You might note "Replaced broken cleats" for reference. You then attach the store receipt and a photo of the new cleats as evidence, ensuring the expense is well documented. Because it’s marked Actual and you leave the Scheduled toggle off, this item is clearly shown as an out-of-the-blue expense. Now it’s tracked alongside all other costs. Later, you can decide if you’ll ask the other parent to pitch in, but regardless, you’ve documented that you personally covered this cost for your child. Keeping even small surprise expenses in the app ensures your financial contribution is fully recorded—and you might be surprised how those add up over the year.
• Flagging a Missed Payment: Not all scenarios are smooth—perhaps your co‑parent agreed to reimburse you for a big expense (like a $400 summer camp fee) but never actually paid their share. Here’s how you log it: You record the $400 camp fee as an expense with yourself as the payer. Using Add Reimbursement, you create a reimbursement record for $200 that should have come from the other parent. You set the due date to when it was supposed to be paid, mark it Planned, and attach evidence of the agreement, such as an email confirming their promise to reimburse. Unfortunately, that date passes and no payment arrives. At this point, you switch the reimbursement record’s status to Canceled to indicate it wasn’t paid, and toggle on the Disagreement flag. This flags the entry in red as a disputed or missed payment. By documenting it in Alimentor, you have evidence to bring up in mediation or court—the history shows you paid the full $400, requested $200 per the agreement, and never got it.

Reporting Tools

One of Alimentor’s strengths is turning your data into readable reports that you can share or save for your records. The app’s built-in reports compile all expenses and other custody records into organized summaries. The key report sections relevant to expenses include:

• Custody Summary: Organized by payer (parent) and beneficiary (child or parent), this section gives you a clear overview of spending. It displays total amounts spent and shows tables listing planned and actual amounts, along with titles, dates, and notes.
• Expense Summary: See the big picture with totals for each caregiver and child, broken down by expense titles. Reimbursements show up as negative costs for the parent who received them, making it easy to see how much each parent has contributed or still owes.
• Custody Journal: View a detailed, chronological list of all records, including details such as date and time, location, notes, photos, and PDF attachments. This is especially useful for preparing for court or mediation, as it provides a complete, time-stamped history.

You can customize many aspects of your reports. Begin by selecting the reporting period, caregivers and children, record types, and sections you want to include. For even more control and flexibility, use text filters and custom section titles. For example, filter by a hashtag like #Dental and change "Custody Journal" to "Dental Treatment Log" to focus your report on dental-related records.

There’s also an option to export your entire dataset to a spreadsheet (.xlsx). Exporting to Excel is especially helpful if you want to perform custom calculations or create charts that go beyond Alimentor’s built-in summaries. The exported file is a true Excel document, with correct data types for each column (unlike basic .csv exports), so dates, numbers, and text are all accurately preserved. It’s also a convenient way to share your raw data with a financial planner or tax preparer who prefers working in Excel.

Learn more about reporting ▶

Conclusion

Keeping financial records might feel like a chore, but with Alimentor it becomes a constructive habit that truly pays off. By diligently logging child-related expenses, attaching receipts, and updating statuses, you’re building a credible record that can support you in negotiations, court hearings, and tax preparations. Just as importantly, you’re staying on top of your child’s needs and helping both parents remain accountable. It’s a positive step toward transparent, healthy co-parenting.

Want to give it a go? Open the app and enter something you’ve been meaning to document—maybe that last school supply run or the soccer registration fee. Try out a feature or two, like adding a photo of a receipt or tagging an entry for easy lookup later. As you explore Alimentor, you’ll find it not only easy to use but also empowering to have all these details at your fingertips. With each new record and reimbursement you log, you’re investing in a smoother co-parenting experience. Stay organized, stay prepared, and let Alimentor help you every step of the way. Happy tracking!

For a broader overview of the types of documentation courts look for in child custody cases—including parenting time calendars, custody journals, and supporting evidence—see our related guide: Documentation in Child Custody Cases ▶

If you have any questions about Alimentor, or want to share your feedback, please email us at: feedback@alimentor.org.