Whom claims kids on taxes and how is medical done?

[determined4thekids]

We have joint custody with primary placement with me. I have them on my medical insurance and pay all costs first for the kids and then the ex pays back half at the first of the month.

Who gets to claim the kids on the taxes?

If I do, then how do I claim the medical - all or half?

[Wolfy]

It's written out in my divorce papers. I have joint legal and physical custody with the ex getting 60% physical custody. The papers also indicate that we each get to claim one child each for income tax until we only have one dependent then we alternate. I also have them under my medical insurance and the ex pays half of all costs per the divorce decree.

Maybe someone else will know what it is under your cicumstances.

[Lee Borden]

If the decree is silent, the exemption (and child tax credit) go to the parent with whom the children live for more than half the year. Each parent deducts the medical expenses he or she actually incurs. So if you pay 10 and get back 5, I would say you have incurred 5.