Navigating Baby Gear Expenses After a Divorce
So, you’ve left the house and your ex—or soon-to-be ex—is keeping the crib, bottles, bassinet, rocker, stroller, and all the other expensive baby items. Now you’re wondering if you’re expected to go buy all new ones. Hi, I’m Tulsa Dads.Law attorney Clint Hastings. I practice here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I focus on fathers’ rights, and I’ve been practicing family law for about 25 years.
Deciding on Dividing Costs
Just because she kept those items doesn’t necessarily mean you have to replace everything on your own. It depends. Sometimes the parties agree to split the cost of new items, or one reimburses the other for half. The problem is, many of those things were purchased with joint funds or given as gifts, which makes it difficult to decide what’s truly fair.
My advice is to focus on getting your home set up and ready for visitation rather than spending a lot of time fighting over these items. If you go back and forth through attorneys and can’t agree, you may have to wait for your temporary order hearing to raise the issue with a judge. But here’s my golden rule: don’t spend more in attorney’s fees fighting over baby gear than it would cost to just buy new items. Very quickly, both of you can end up spending more on lawyers than the cost of replacing everything.
Seeking Equitable Solutions
That said, in principle, you shouldn’t automatically be stuck with all the expenses. If it goes before a judge, you can make equitable arguments for cost-sharing.
I hope this helps. Give Tulsa divorce attorney Clint Hastings a call if we can help with this or any other family law issue, and we’d be glad to speak with you.
Get a Consultation Today
If you’re facing a family law issue and need guidance on your rights, give Tulsa Dads.Law a call at 918-962-0900 for a low-cost consultation. We’re here to help you navigate through this challenging time.
