I have been divorced for 6 years. My ex-husband will not help pay for anything my daughter needs. He has no other family or children and pays $230 a month child support. He agreed to help pay half her acting lessons before she started, and now says he won't pay anything that the court has not ordered. He doesn't carry insurance on her, and does not help with school clothes, or anything else she needs. He thinks the child support should pay for everything, but with a 10 yr. old girl it does not. Apparently, it must be in writing for him to fulfill his duties as a father. If he paid me a large amount of child support, I wouldn't ask for anything extra, but he doesn't. What should I do?
2006-08-03 04:13:11 · 12 answers · asked by jeffandchristymoss@verizon.net 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
You can try to take him to court, but if he is paying what the guidelines specify you will lose. It is understood that the custodial parent will budget the support money to take care of the school needs. Nothing is stated about the extra lessons a child takes. That is a voluntary issue and the court will not make him pay any of it.
My kids dad did the same thing to me. He paid only for what he was required to pay. Book fees alone cost me over $300 for both kids, and that did not include the paper, pencils, pens, folders, etc that I had to buy. Then I had to buy school clothes. If my parents had not helped, I could not have paid all of the school fees and added items.
Its a shame when dads are too worried about mom spending the money to see that the kids have a real need for extra things.
2006-08-03 04:31:01 · answer #1 · answered by physandchemteach 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to a lawyer and get your answers from him. Most of the time, the child support is based off of the ex's income. He will not be required to pay any more than that percentage. I don't know how you did it in the first place. If you agreed to that amount... you may have to live with it. However, I've heard child support should be a lot more than that! He should be paying part of all of her living expenses. Write everything down that you spend on your child.. and take it to a lawyer.. at least ask them about it. Hope all goes well
2006-08-03 11:20:22 · answer #2 · answered by breathofvitality 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he is not paying child support, take him to court. It will be court ordered and if it doesn't work out and he doesn't pay what he owes in FULL as well, then the courts will FORCE him to pay by taking it out of his check. Keep the Courts up to date every time he is late or doesnt pay or only pay a part. He should not get off scott free. He helped bring this child in the world. DOCUMENT every conversation and payment history. Ask for MONEY orders or Checks to have a paper trail for yourself. Don't accept Cash.
2006-08-03 11:24:54 · answer #3 · answered by Erica, AKA Stretch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well Im going through the same thing and what I was told by the court systems in Florida there is a form you can fill out and its a modification order, where you can request that the child support be modified. Im not sure what state you are in but go the your local clerk of courts office and they should be able to assist you with bringing him back to court to have the amount of the child support order modified...
2006-08-03 11:21:07 · answer #4 · answered by landscaperschick73 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a lawyer and get a consultation. If his job has changed and his pay is higher since his initial child support order... the amount will get raised. If not, then unfortunately, there is nothing you can do... and make him PUT IT IN WRITING when he agrees to help with extra costs for your daughter. Trust me, my ex sister-in-law was constantly taking her daughter's father to court for this crap and she was constantly losing. Good luck, some men are just dead beats.
2006-08-03 11:33:55 · answer #5 · answered by concerned 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
talk with a lawyer and see if you can get your child support amended (increased) or add stuff to your divorce like paying for 1/2 of whatever the child needs are for school and such. and add medical coverage for her, some men just won't do more for their children then what the courts say. i say TAKE HIM TO COURT AND MAKE HIM SUPPORT HIS CHILD
2006-08-03 12:13:39 · answer #6 · answered by montanamom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u know the answer take him back to court look this is what i did my ex was doing and saying the same thing and i told either u help me or i will take u back to court he helped for a little while but i ended up having to take him back to court my child support went from 52.00 a week to 98.00 a week
2006-08-03 11:45:36 · answer #7 · answered by heather f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In six years time, I am sure his pay has increased???? Also, he should be paying health insurance. Give him an alternative......Tell him to pony up in writing on his own, or you are taking him back to court for more money and your going to stick him with legal fees.
2006-08-03 11:37:14 · answer #8 · answered by Michael K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you know what he makes goe to(insert the name of your state here) _______child support guidelines.com It can tell you what he should be paying. Yes, I'd say after 8 yrs,it's time for an increase.
2006-08-03 11:21:30 · answer #9 · answered by reese172003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take him back to court if you are having problems paying for the things that she needs honestly then a judge will grant the money to you.
2006-08-03 11:19:42 · answer #10 · answered by michiganwife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋