When parents remarry, should a step-mother pay child support for her husband's child? I know that legally, she doesn't, but what is your opinion on this? The step-mother also has a child from a previous marriage to support, and the new couple has a child together. Child support is deducted from the father's pay check, but anything extra the mother asks for, should it be given if the father has another child in the home to support? I would like to read your thoughts.
2006-10-10 04:54:29 · 11 answers · asked by jeffandchristymoss@verizon.net 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
Please note that the other child he is supporting in his home is his biological child. The other child is supported by the mother and child support from the father.
2006-10-10 05:33:48 · update #1
No, a step parent isn't responsible for the spouse's child. If that step parent ADOPTED the child, and is legally recognized as a parent....then that is a different story......but otherwise, no.
I know that child support isn't enough to do all that may be needed, but it is enough. And if it isn't, the other parent can get a modification, but if that father has OTHER children to support, then unfortunately it isn't an option unless he has extra to give, and WANTS to.
That is an unfortunate consequence of divorce. That exwife can't look at HIS income as if it is still THEIR income. The court has set aside his portion and contribution, and what ever is outside of that......she will have to make do.
When it came down to my husband's daughter, I did what I WANTED because though I loved her, I have my own children to see about, and it is between her two biological parents to work out. If my husband asked me for some help to do something, as long as it didn't take from our family, I would do it.......but I was not, and am not obligated by ANYTHING but my OWN decisions to help.
2006-10-10 05:22:39 · answer #1 · answered by lilac b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forget DHS. There is an organization called CSE. Which stands for Child Support Enforcement. And oh boy do they mean it. Depending on what state you live in they could be very brutal, where I live they are. No non custodial parents gets away with not paying. The state I live in they garnish the non custodial parents wages even if they are not behind. Thats just how its done. Contact your local CSE. Have them open a case against your wifes childrens father. In the meantime if you have to work 2 jobs pay child support for your daughter. She deserves your support. As she has deserved it for 11 years, but if you didn't know where she was I guess you couldn't pay it. Your problem does not require an attorney, just requires contacting your local CSE and they will take it from there.
2016-03-18 07:25:20 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should maintain separate bank accounts for the fathers wages which figure the support and then combine their money in to a 3rd joint account after the father's child support is paid/deducted. The new wife also should be getting child support from her child's father also which should go into a separate account for that child's upkeep and then transfered to the 3rd account when appropriate such as 1/4 percentage of monthly bills if the new wifes 1st child lives with the husband, new wife, and new baby. Sounds complicated but it can help manage who gets what...
And if the husbands 1st child needs extra then that child's mother should be able to justify the spending with receipts, bills, etc, to help the child. If the father is not legal required to pay these extras then he can evaluate whether he wants to or not.
2006-10-10 05:42:31 · answer #3 · answered by nonyahbusiness 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that when you marry someone with a child or children you are taking responsibility for them too. Just as your husband is taking responsibility for your children if you have them. It doesn't matter where the money comes from as long as the child's needs are being met. When I married my husband, I had 3 children from a previous marriage and he had a daughter from a previous marriage. My ex was MIA so I never got child support, and my husband sent his daughter's child support out of his check. But I also bought her clothes and toys when I was shopping for my kids, and I was the one who drove the 4 hour trip each way to drop off and pick her up for visits until we got custody. After that I took care of her completely. My husband and I have since divorced, but she is still my daughter and I still send her cards and pictures on holidays and birthdays and send her money. Even though they will not allow me to see her. I will always want what's best for her. If everyone would stop asking who should pay what and start thinking about what's best for the children, then things would just fall into place. You are married. Does it really matter whose check the money comes out of anyway? And once you marry what's his/hers becomes "ours" ...kids and all.
2006-10-10 05:13:31 · answer #4 · answered by Hicktown 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, she should not pay child support on a step child. He should pay child support on his child if the child lives with her, she should pay if the child lives with him. Not on step kids, though. Child support does not cover all of the expenses involved in raising a child, not even a fraction of it, actually. So, yes, if he is able he should help out with extra stuff when he can.
2006-10-10 05:22:45 · answer #5 · answered by Lotus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certain states do require this.
I had a California Case where a Navy Commander was hit with $85,000 of retroactive child support for a child he did not know existed. He dated the mother while in College, but she quit one day, moved back home, and would never talk to him again. Since it is illegal to continue to try to have contact, he didn't try.
Looking back, he thinks what he did wrong was to answer her question when she asked what he thought about being a father. He said he was too young to be a father. She took that as a rejection of her, as she was already pregnant, but didn't tell him so.
When he got hit with the order, he was married with four kids. They took their home, and anything else of value, plus 55% of his gross income. He had to move his family into a 2 bedroom apartment on base and his wife had to get a job to help support the family. When she did, 20% of her income was than calculated into his obligation, and his support was increased.
2006-10-10 05:03:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No I dont think she should pay support for a child that isnt hers. Is the real mom in the picture, because she should be paying the support. A friend of mine got a seperation and he was arrested for non-payment of child support for a step child. If you made the baby you should be the one who pays.
2006-10-10 05:00:20 · answer #7 · answered by arreis 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, only the parent should have to pay the support. But when it comes to extras that the child may need, I see nothing wrong with you taking the child shopping, I wouldn't give his ex any cash though.
2006-10-10 05:08:03 · answer #8 · answered by kandekizzez 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's hard to say. of course, he will be doing things for your child, why shouldn't you do things for his?
this is natural.
you just have to hope it doesn't become something that the other mother demands from you, and become a burden. i mean, that the non custodial child is not used as a pawn by the other mother.
but otherwise, like i said, he will be doing things for your child and of course you want to incorporate the other child into your family as well
2006-10-10 05:00:37 · answer #9 · answered by new yorkr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the court ordered support from the father should be enough the step mom shouldnt have to legally support the child that isnt hers
2006-10-10 05:10:39 · answer #10 · answered by OFFICER CAMPBELL 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋