To the all PARENTS, which option would you prefer?

Question

You are separated from your ex and you let your ex keep your child. You have two options:

1.) Go through the courts and have every other weekend with your child and have to pay child support of one third of your checks.

2.) take your ex up on an agreement where you have to pay $50. a week and you can have your child once a week on one of your days off.

You make an average of $300. a week not including all the over time you can get, and you are not able to get weekends off.
Which option would you chose and why?

Answer 1

there should be an option 3 have joint custody of the kids and take responsibility

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Hi, I pay child support and I get my son every other weekend and holidays. I think you'd be surprised at the amount the court might have you pay. It might be less than a third. You should think about if you and your ex get along well enough to go by the second agreement. I think you might appreciate having your child every other weekend. And it's better for your child to know just when he/she is coming or going. It's just my opinion of course, but I think if you pay $50 a week, you might be paying more than you should. But, I am not sure? I would choose option #1. Good luck!

Answer 4

I would take the $50 a week deal, if your ex is cool with it and get in writing. Plus you'll get to see your child every week as opposed to every other week. I think it's much better to work out a mutually benefitial agreement because the courts are much less leniant when it comes to money. Also, if you did it the other way, it probably will not be a third of your check. Bank on 17 to 23 percent (state of Ga.) based on wages and the age and needs of the child (needs, i.e. special handicapps or learning disabilities if any will be placed higher on the percentage calculation). Plus there will be provisions to factor respective earnings for the both of you. If you can trust that your ex will keep his word, go ahead and take the deal. It'll leave you with more money in your pocket. Hope that helped.

Answer 5

this is a question that u need to really think about to urself without nobody's input. How bad do u want to see the child/children? and what can u afford to pay monthly in child support? I would recommend that u go through the system due to people change their minds alot. and at any given moment the ex can renig on the agreement and take u to court for support anyway or not let u see the child/children period.

Answer 6

I think I would take option two.For starters you will have visits 4 times a month with your child either way. meaning you would probably have better quality time with your child on your days off.I would say 50 dollars is a set rate and seems more than fair.I also think the less you involve the courts the better off you are. I would have a written cotract,that has been notarized. I would also make it a point to pay your child support by chek or moneyorder.

Answer 7

Go through the courts and make it official. If he got a hair up his butt later on, he could take you court and make you pay the back child support of 21%.

If the $50 a week can be court mandated, then do it. But you must have it signed off on by a judge. That way your're protected in case he tries to take you back and collect back child support.

Answer 8

How are you going to have weekends with your child if you work on weekends? How do you know you would have to pay a third of your salary, considering you earn so little, if you go through the courts? I would say go the court, even though it m,ight be expensive. You may get your child every weekend (if you can stay with them) and still pay very little maintenance.

Answer 9

I don't like either option but if I have to choose #2 sounds like the lesser of the evils.

Going through the courts is expensive. Just get the agreement in writing so that if you have to go to court later you have a document to fall back on.

Answer 10

take your ex up on an agreement where you have to pay $50. a week and you can have your child once a week on one of your days off.

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Answer 11

I don't know which part of the World or Country you are from so it's kind of tough to answer your question. I know in New York State the "Custodial Parent" is the one that calls all the shots whether you have "Joint Custody" or not. It's a huge joke and the system is flawed immensely!! Whatever your choice, please try to remain civil with your ex,it'll make things alot easier. Trust me a hostile ex destroys 2 lives. Good Luck to you both.