Child support....does this sound right?

Question

I just filed for divorce 2 weeks ago and the lawyer called me yesterday to let me know I had to pay $165 a week for one child. I about fell outta my seat....$660 a month!!!!! I make a yearly salary of $44,000. I know a guy that only pays $450 for two kids but I don't know how much he makes, I know he works for the state. But the lawyer told me the laws on child support has changed. Did the laws change? Does this sound accurate? Why so much? It's gonna be hard for me to pay my own bills plus drive 200 miles to get him every other weekend!!!! HELP??

Answer 1

Yes, they have changed.....thank the dead beat dads out there for that! My ex is making about 30,000 per year, and was just ordered $105.00 per week. It is a percentage of your salary. Get a job making less, you pay less, but it is the same percentage either way. Your best bet is to stay where you are making a nice salary and just pay the amount. Or you could be a dead beat and work for cash saying that you are unemployed and not give your son anything. I know a few idiots doing that now.

Answer 2

Ask your lawyer how the amount came about.
It's been awhile for me, but years ago the amount was a percent of your pay check. I was paying $230 a month for one child. Ihad to take on a 2nd job and then she hit me up again for more money....

If your lawyer cant answer your questions call the court house. Someone there should be able to explain it.

a 200 mile drive is alot. She should met you half way.
Ever think about spilting up the time by months?
She can have him during the winter for school and you have him during the summer?

Did you move away of did she pack it up and move?
All states may not have the same laws, but I had joint custody and the ex couldn't move the kids out of town with out my permission, unless she had good reason to move. Such as a job..

Child support is costly, it's actually better to stay with the girl until the kids are out of school. It's cheaper.

Answer 3

the laws are different in different states

it's based on how much you make: a percentage
it's also based on the "comfort level" the chidl has been living in before the divorce - kids shouldn't have to suffer financially just because their parents decide to split up

if all you're paying is 20% of your gross income, consider yourself lucky: most pay more than that

I can bet you anything you were paying more than that when you wer living with your wife and child

paying for more than one child is not a multiplicative - generally the payment only goes up by half the percentage of the previous child. Thus my ex pays less than what you pay for THREE kids (plus he's doing the whole under-the-table thing to try to get out of having to pay more because he's a dipshit)

If you make too much fuss about it, I guarantee your child will hear about it and wonder why dad doesn't care about him. Kids already feel guilt and shame about divorce and spend too much time wondering what THEY did to be abandoned... don't give your child reason to feel you really don't care

I know it seems a lot but that is only because you are now going to try to support yourself first and THEN support your child. Try thinking of it as "child comes first" and then maybe you'll see that $660 per month is not that much - if he were living on his own do you think that amount would take care of him? Of course not! Could YOU live on $660 a month? Doubtful! You want your child to be happy and healthy? Then don't put a price tag on his life. Find ways to make YOUR life cheaper, not his. You chose to divorce, not him.

For you to say "gonna be hard for me" is insensitive: it's gonna be hard for your child to reconcile living withiout daddy and no amount of money will fix that. But too little money will make it worse.

Answer 4

Yep, thats about right! It sucks how the government taxes the poor and gives perks to the rich! I really feel for you. A main reason I wont have kids. (not that it would affect me cause id have custody! ) I doubt id ask my partner to support, but that makes no difference, The gov will demand it anyway!. And this is a perfect example of why i get SO piissed off with young guys these days. They think its cool to have unprotected sex. A condom ruins the feeling..... PLEASE..i would give anything for them to feel what you are going thru now. Maybe they will understand how serious it all is. ...And ..you went about it the right way, relationship, marriage, the whole hog. Unfortunately it didnt work and Im sorry. But thats the way it goes. If you are unlucky enough to pay child support, you will be working 6 days a week for at least 18 years.Time to wear those rubbers BOYS!.... this is a perfect learning experience..... Once again , Im sorry dude....

Answer 5

My husband was supposed to pay 1800 for three kids when he and his ex split up, they made a written agreement to 600 a month. If you are unsure of the amount you could always check one of the child support calculators on the net or call your lawyer and ask why it is so high. I dont know who left who in your relationship, but you cant always blame the man for " abandoning " his child, when the mother could have thrown him out. When you are married you both support the family, when you are divorced the ex husband supports his kids and the ex, doesn't quite seem fair does it? My husbands ex wife sued for more money, guess what she got it, lump sum $9000 into her account this week, My husband filed his tax returns hoping to have a little money to work on the house we are renting, she got 100% of his returns, that should help her finish paying off her Harley.

Answer 6

In Wisconsin the percentage for one child is 17% of income, which in your case would be $144.00/week. It's high and it's worse if the mom desides to never work. My boyfriend pays next to nothing for his son (2 kids from 2 marriages) but his daughter he pays through the nose. Her mom doesn't work and has 3 other kids as well and those dad's pay through the nose as well. I think he pays about the same amount as you. It's ridiculous he has to pay that much because she's too lazy to get a job.

you might be able to fight and get it reduced especially if your soon to be ex is working.

Good luck!

Answer 7

yes thats about 17% of what you're making. and they dont figure child support on what you bring home. I agree you can thank the dead beat dads for that. sometimes its unfair for the dads. you can always ask for a modification though. and one thing i would suggest, did she move 200 miles away from you when you split or did you move? talk to your attorney about ordering her to meet you half way for you visitations. my husband did that because he had to drive as far as you. it makes it hard on the kids as well but if you meet halfway its so much easier. might make her angry with you but if you've been fair so far and not argued much, the judge just may give you that.
good luck!

Answer 8

How much does she make a year? I make $22,000 a year and my ex makes $52,000, so he pays me $275 a week, but that is for 2 kids. The court ordered was more like $350, but I didn't want to break him so I gave a bit.

Answer 9

Child support is based upon a percentage of your income, cost of living and the quality of life for the CHILD. Maybe you need to get a second job to help you make ends meet.

Answer 10

Every state is different. Did you turn your monthly bills in to the courts so they can see what you pay out monthly? If not, you must do this. Request a child support modification hearing.