Getting Ready for the Start of the School Year When You Share Custody

 Posted on July 07, 2026 in Family Law

For many parents of young children, it can feel like summer has only just begun when suddenly it’s time to start thinking about going back to school. When divorced parents share custody, back-to-school season can bring tricky questions about school supplies, extracurricular activities, parent-teacher conferences, holidays, and who is responsible for paying different expenses. Even simple issues can feel like a landmine of potential conflict.

The best way to prevent unnecessary fighting is to deal with these issues as much as you can before the school year gets going. Even with careful planning, however, disagreements about sensitive family circumstances cannot always be resolved privately.

Here are some things to consider doing before the 26-27 school year starts. Our Annapolis family law attorneys can help you understand your rights and, if necessary, provide guidance and support in potential legal options such as petitioning for a child custody modification, filing for contempt or enforcement, complying with mediation provisions, or seeking a parent coordinator.

Start by Reviewing Your Parenting Plan and Custody Orders

Before making plans for the fall, carefully review your:

• Parenting plan
• Marital Settlement Agreement
• Child support order
• Judgment of Absolute Divorce
• Any later court orders modifying the original arrangement

Custody documents often include detailed provisions about school-related issues that can be easy to forget. For example, your parenting plan agreement or order may have important deadlines. One parent may be required to provide notice before enrolling a child in an activity, requesting reimbursement, or planning travel during a school break.

Don’t just rely on what you remember agreeing to; check the details.

Put School Events and Custody Dates on Your Calendar

School calendars are usually published well before classes begin. Review the full calendar and write down important dates, including:

• The first and last days of school
• Teacher workdays
• Early dismissals
• Parent-teacher conferences
• Fall, winter, and spring breaks
• School picture days
• Graduation ceremonies

You should also compare the school calendar with your parenting-time schedule. Don’t assume you and your co-parent interpret the schedule the same way. Confirming dates can prevent an argument when a holiday or school event is coming up.

Discuss Extracurricular Activities Before Signing Up Your Child

Fall and winter activities create many disagreements between parents. A child may want to join a sports team or take music lessons, but these activities affect both parents’ schedules and are often very expensive.

Before registering your child for an activity, check whether your parenting plan requires:

• Both parents’ agreement
• A particular division of costs
• Each parent to provide transportation during his or her parenting time

An activity may sound reasonable but can still create problems if it happens during the other parent’s time or requires long-distance travel every weekend.

Confirm School Responsibilities

Parents should understand and agree about who will handle routine school responsibilities. Depending on the custody arrangement, this may include:

• Filling out registration paperwork
• Buying school supplies
• Attending teacher or coach meetings
• Managing homework
• Arranging transportation
• Responding to school emergencies
• Scheduling tutoring or educational evaluations

Make sure the school has accurate contact information for both parents. Each parent should also understand how to access report cards, online school portals, calendars, and notices.

Manage Conflicts Early and in Writing

If you notice a conflict, don’t wait until the night before a school event to mention it. Contact your co-parent early and explain the issue clearly and politely. Written communication through email, text, or an approved co-parenting app is often the best way to handle these issues so they don’t escalate.

Keep the message focused on the child and the practical problem. Then assume the best of your co-parent as you work to figure out what to do.

Remember that your private messages may later be seen by attorneys, custody professionals, or admitted evidence seen and considered by a judge.

Track Shared School Expenses

Back-to-school expenses add up. Parents typically need to pay for supplies, uniforms, technology, activity fees, tutoring, transportation, and childcare.

Review your agreement or order to determine which expenses must be shared and in what percentages. If you aren’t sure whether something you want to buy will qualify for reimbursement, check first.

Keep copies of:

• Receipts
• Invoices
• Registration confirmations
• Messages showing that the expense was approved
• Reimbursement requests

Send reimbursement requests within any deadline stated in your agreement. Even when no exact deadline appears, provide the documents as soon as possible.

Contact an Experienced Annapolis, MD Family Law Attorney

If you and your spouse are facing serious conflict over your school year parenting plans, or if your family’s needs have changed, meet with our Anne Arundel County, MD child custody lawyers. Silverman Thompson’s family law practice, headed by Attorney Monica Scherer, works closely with parents to help them understand their options for modifying custody arrangements. Attorney Scherer has successfully argued in contested custody cases, including high-profile clients with sensitive privacy concerns.

You can reach Attorney Scherer and the rest of the family law team at Silverman Thomson by calling 410-385-2225.