how can I find out if ex is paying to much for support?

Question

we and my ex have been divorced for almost 10 yrs now, We have two children together, I'm now remarried and doing really well. I'm not sure how much he make I'm guess between 900 and1200 a mth. he pays $300 a mth child support, He is a wonderful father to his kids. but I'm really worried about the vehicle he drive and their saftey as his car and house are falling apart. I honestly think hes doing the best he can. And I would like to know what he should be paying. We did a do it yourself divorce and he decided the amount, but know his wife is legally blind and can't work and they have a child to raise. please help..

when we did our divorce we never did the income worksheet, so I'm not sure if he was paying to much to begin with. also he loves his kids very much but he can't afford to buy school clothes etc. I can't imagine living of around 230 250 a week. also all my kids medical is cover under the military....

to answer the question as to why I divorced him, He had an affair with the lady he is married to now, but just because he didn't love me doesn't mean he doesn't love his kids, just don't have to be married to be good parents... and it about the comfort of my kids while their at his home thanks..

we're in fl

Answer 1

Well, coming from a child of divorced parents where for a long time my mother was MUCH better off than my dad...I would say do not stop making him pay. Instead, do something useful with the money if you truly do not need it. It is not your fault, or your kids that he doesnt make alot of money, he could find more work if he wanted to. I'm sure he IS a great dad, so do something with that money that would make him really proud, and feel like he TRULY did help his kids.

Start a college fund for your kids, and just put the child support in their every month. Or, a spending account for your kids, and put the money in their monthly, and then each new clothes season, let their dad take this shopping for their clothes with the money he provided. Nothing makes a dad more proud, then to feel like he provided for his kids.

Just an idea...

Answer 2

Most states have online calculators that can give you a rough idea of what he would be asked to pay if you were going through the courts. However, from what I know in MD, that amount would sound about right for two kids and the income level he has.

I find it really refreshing to see an ex who is not out to "get" her spouse after the marriage ends, especially when it ended in a way that makes most people so angry. Since you and your spouse made the original child support agreement, you should be able to ammend it yourself as well. You can check with the local court to find out if that is allowed and how to do so. If not, and if you trust him, you can always come to a private understanding. If you do go that way, I would still write out whatever the new terms are, set a starting and ending or review date (so that you can adjust things if need be later on), reasons as to why the arrangment can or may need to be ammended prior to that review (injury or health issues that impact either of you and your ability to support yourself and your kids, death of spouse, etc) and then sign and date it. Put a copy where you keep all your other safe papers, give him a copy as well. You can either set a lower amount paid to you, arrange for a lower amount and have him start college accounts for the kids, or allow him to keep the full amount while asking him to provide certain items that you had used the support for..X- amount of new clothes for school, paying for school field trips or sports fees, etc. Do what you feel is right for your kids, your self and your ex. And again, you are a very special lady.

Answer 3

You can go in for a re-evaluation. They will take Your income into consideration. My x at one time was paying over 650 a month for support. You can let the judge know that you are financially more grounded and feel that the amount is not fair to him. You can decide on a fair amount if you did it the your self divorce. Talk to your x and let him know you do not feel it is fair. Child support calculators are on line for a small fee. Tell him or the judge. You do not want to watch him struggle the way he is. And if he persist tell him that you do require such and such but if he wants to continue with that amount. (Which really is not allot on the looks but I understand that some people do not make that much money and even 300 can be a hardship on them). Open up a savings account for your children and put it in an account for them. Or even a Money Market account that will grow and you can set an age in which they can have that money.

Answer 4

That money is for the kids and he should not be let off the hook because you feel sorry for him. Sounds to me like he makes a sob story about it. It is not your responsibility to make sure he has a nice car. He can get a second job if it is that bad for him. The money is for YOUR kids and it doesn't matter how well you are doing now because you are remarried. does your new husband want to foot 100% of the bill? What if you get another divorce. I say save the money (it is not much anyway) and don't worry about your ex. Not your problem. He should be paying more if he makes that much anyway. He already has a break because you are not raising it.

Answer 5

You never mentioned the state you are in which would be needed in order to look up their Child Support Guideline Worksheet. With that aside, look, if you truly don't need the money or if you do but not the amount he is currently giving you, do the right thing and let the man have the money back because he obviously needs it more than you do. Just get an agreement for him that he will do things like buy their school clothing or pay for medical appts, etc.

Answer 6

If you are now remarried he should not be paying alimony to you but should still help out/pay child support for the kids.

The state mandated him an amount based on your situation at the time of the settlement, but your situation has changed.
If you mutually and voluntarily change the amount or conditions, then i would go for it - just have your attorney write it up.

Since you and your new husband appear to be able to pay for food and shelter for the children, your ex should be providing just for the extra stuff like helping with schooling, etc. He no longer needs to contribute to certain aspects of their life financially if you are more than able to provide that. Just as long as he provides for them while the kids are with him.

Now I am confused because you are then asking about a wife that is legally blind. If someone is blind, they would get assistance for being legally blind whether they had kids or not.

Answer 7

Well, look online to find out what the guidelines for your state are. Call your local child support office and have them review your case.

300 a month for 2 kids is really not much at all.

Also, his wife probably gets disability benefits!

Answer 8

No he is not paying too much. However if you want to "amend" it you can have the amount dropped. However keep in mind that the child support is for the CHILDREN for you ex spouse's share of putting a roof over their heads, food in their bellies, heat in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, clothes on their backs as well as medical care when needed, and quite frankly I'd be willing to bet that $300.00 although equitable falls short of the costs of it all.

Answer 9

If he was a great father...blah,blah,blah then why did divorce him? Check out the divorce reform movment.
Really, if you care about him and his situation does sound tragic, then just give up the child support.
Good day.

Answer 10

if you are doing so well and he is not and he is a great father why not just let him off the hook for child support? 300 is not a lot for 2 kids but it is a heck of a lot for someone who makes that much money.