I guess what I'm asking is, if I'm paying X amount a month for child support, should my ex be asking me for $$ for babysitting, doctors visits, dentists, dance classes etc? I already pay for my child's health insurance plus child support. Also, if my income goes down drastically can I get the amount adjusted?
just to add..I am a good father and take care of my kid. just think I'm being taken advantage of while she's spending my $$ on bs
Angel_Mom of 2 Pretty Girls
Favorite Answer
Daycare can be an "extra" to child support. (I don't think occasional "babysitting" counts because that is for the parent's convenience and not a necessity in order to work).
Doctors visits: In NJ the custodial parent is responsible for the first $250 per year then their % of the total income of both parents. At the end of the year a calculation determines how much the non-custodial parent owes in refund and this is handled through court.
Dance classes: May be considered an "extra" in which the court can/will determine if the NCP should pay and how much.
If you have a drastic change in income then you absolutely can and SHOULD file for an adjustment with the court. If you two were married then your change in income would cause for an adjustment of family expenses, same goes for when you're separated.
I HATE women who take advantage of good men and leave a bad rep for the women like myself who are trying to do what is right. I spend way more that double the support amount on my daughter every month. I do nothing for myself. I encourage visitation and even bend over backwards (which I shouldn't) only to be called a money grubber by the man who needed to borrow gas money to get to court for the child support hearing (making $55k a year).
Please go through the courts and have them decide whether she should be getting more or less. It protects you as well. I know many men think there is a stigma of going to court to have the $$$ part of caring for a child settled but honestly: If you go through court then you both are held accountable and she can't take advantage of you (or you her, but it doesn't sound like the case here.)
Good luck and God Bless...
?
I commend you for being a good father and willingly providing for your child. Let's say that you give a total of 300 per month to your child. That's 75 dollars a week. No, my man, that is not enough for your child to live on. That's just enough money to cover food, clothes and a few extras. If you have any extra money, then try to help your child. Don't give your ex the cash. Just pay for the baby sitter and some of the dance classes yourself with a check or money order. And if your income decreases, your child support checks will be adjusted by the judge.
Anonymous
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
What do child support payments include?
I guess what I'm asking is, if I'm paying X amount a month for child support, should my ex be asking me for $$ for babysitting, doctors visits, dentists, dance classes etc? I already pay for my child's health insurance plus child support. Also, if my income goes down drastically can I...
rlb1961
It depends. In addition to child support, you will usually be responsible for 1/2 of any medical or dental costs not covered by insurance. You might also be responsible for 1/2 the cost of child care, assuming that the child care is for the purpose of her being able to work. You might also be responsible to pay 1/2 of costs for things like dance, etc.
The basic idea is that your child should suffer as little as possible from the failure of the marriage. So while you might not like it, if the costs are valid and are covered in your divorce decree, you should pony up. Just make sure you get copies of the medical and dental bills showing the amount not covered by insurance, copies of the child care bills, etc. Even better, when you get copies of the bills, pay the provider directly if possible. Keep records, and let your ex know you will be deducting your portion of the child care from your taxes, so if she doesn't want an audit, she should only deduct her half.
?
You shouldn't have to pay extra, but a dedicated father would do all he can to support his children. Unfortunately, we as men cannot control how our X's spend the child support money. My ex and her new husband used mine to make the mortgage payments on his house that he was buying before they met. Nothing I could do about it. Even when women refuse visitation, the payments still have to be made. A little known fact about child support: The U.S. Government matches dollar-for-dollar every dollar the State can collect. They pay this to the State that collects the money. This is why visitation rights are not important to the Friend Of The Court. It's all about the money. Johnny (Bellevile, Michigan) *** I AM IN THE PLAYPEN WITH SWEET MILDRED... CRAWL IN AND JOIN US ***