ex wives, child support, How much more can she take??

Question

I have 2 children. The oldest is 18 and just moved in with me in Louisiana to attend college. The other is 16 and lives with her mother in Texas. I bring home 781.00 a week. I pay trucknote for my son of 232.00 & auto insurance ,207.00 plus his gas, provide home, food, etc. but b/c he is 18 it doesnt count for anything im assuming in the eyes of the court.

My child support was set in La. at 600.00 a month 10 years ago for both children but now my ex wife who has since moved to TX, makes at least or more than I do. I dont know exactly what she makes but its somewhere between 80-100K a year.

My 16 yr old daughter now wants a car and I was going to buy her one and pay the insurance for her as well but I thought the only fair thing was to cut the child support in half (300.) since I am raising my son. xwife sent me a msg. saying that she was going to take me back to court because she wants the total amt + more since its only 1 child & if I dont buy the car she will poison

Poison my daughter against me. My daughter will get mad b/c and not speak to me b/c I bought my son a car and paid his insurance and now I cant do the same for her. She is very manipulative in that regard. I know I need legal advice but it is very expensive and its hard to live on what I have now. I am at wits end. I am trying to spend all I can on my kids but I hardly have anything left to give. Its never enough. Please any advice would be appreciated.

600.00 child support for one child, 232. car, 207.00 insurance, 200.00 gas, plus another car (6,000K) plus another 200.00 a month insurance...were talking over 1400.00 a month. almost two checks a month. And all she does it have one 16yr old live with her!!!! Is something wrong with this picture?

She moved to texas 5 years ago to chase a man and make more money. She is an RN and could make double the money she could make here. She owns a nice house in "ritzy" Kingwood and I cant even afford to buy a home...I still rent. She trys to "keep up with the Jones's" on my money. Only buys namebrand clothes for the kids, etc.

Let me also add - her sister is an attorney and does all her legal work for free. Ive always been at a disadvantage where this is concerned as well.

Last year I gave my son a credit card so he could have a way to take his girlfriend out to eat or emergencys....my ex wife stole the credit card from him and charged over 400.00 on it...so I had to cancel the card. It really never ends.

Thanks for all the advice....I just needed to get all this off my chest

Answer 1

If you are paying directly to her make sure you are documenting every penny you give her.
If you pay by check in the memo make a VERY detailed list of what the money is for.
Keep copies of checks, receipts of anything purchased.
Good record of all payments.
Make payments on time.
Do not give cash if you do then go get a money order and document on it and the money order receipt a detailed message what it is for.

If your court order states that you stop paying when child turns 18 then you no longer are obligated to pay for that child.

You need to file a motion to modify.

Here is a web site that can be helpful to you.
It is for incarcerated folks so don't get upset that I gave it to you. It has good info.

http://www.fcnetwork.org/library/p3ChildSupport.pdf

A lot of this you can do through your local child support enforcement office. Just talk to them. Be confident...

Answer 2

First off, your son should be paying for his own insurance and gas. Second the same goes for your daughter. You are not doing them any favors by making life so easy for them, you know how hard life can be. Third, go back to court and try and get child support cut down to half of what you were paying when both kids lived with Ex. You owe your daughter the same as what her brother got as a minor, your son should be getting a part time job and helping you now.

Answer 3

Hi there, you appear to be a nice man trying to do the best for his kids, Im a single mom and my ex is awful with his maintenance so I speak from good experience. If both your kids lived with their mom and wanted these things then she would ask for half of the expenses so I feel that this may be the most productive way you can go, as to your ex poisoning your 16 yr old. thats not possible as her opinion of you is formed so her mom can't do anything to turn her against you. Let her mom take you to court and have all the documentation with you, you are a good dad and times have changed with regard to this issue, you cannot be expected to live, pay support and do the extras which is what this is. Try to talk to Mom, say you'd like to help your daughter, if she doesn't agree sit with your daughter tell her you'll pay what you can and ask her to ask mom for the rest... Good luck...........

Answer 4

That's his deal. He pays the bills and takes care of the kid, whether or not the mom gives him any money for it is irrelevent.Besides the fact that Most guys believe in the mantra "you take the kids, you take the responsibility" They didn't get divorced so that he could make her take care of him, he got divorced because he didn't want her in his life. and when somebody gives you money- especially a girl, they think they have the right to tell you what you should do with that money- but they don't. 30 miles, It is certainly a treat that he would go out of his way for his way for his child like that. But if you'ld like as an alternative, maybe he should be the one that's a B and tell his kid to walk if he wants to see his mom. All these things that you've mentioned show me that your husband is clearly doing his part and making the right decisions for what he believes is best for his child. We would all be so lucky if more parents would put a bad relationship behind them and do what's right for the child.

Answer 5

you take your ex back to court, bring all reciepts and proof you have of supporting your son. They will end up cutting it in half. If your son is 18, she is not supporting him anymore. take her before she takes you, they will do the child support by the child support formula, which will include how much she makes. she will be required to bring a check stub.
It is really sad when this kind of thing happens to children. Niether parent should ever stick the child in the middle or talk bad about he other parent, no matter how old they are! I went through this, and it was horrible!

Answer 6

BrandyO and Jacksonblonde are on point! You do not even need a lawyer, you can petition the courts on your own. You may have to pay a small fee to file like $5.00, but it'll be worth a Happy Meal, hungh?

BTW, you are a GREAT dad! It's so unfortunate your daughter has been groomed to be a lil spoiled manipulative bi@tch, but that's from her mom side. Hang in there and good luck!

Answer 7

You really don't need legal aid,all you need to do is petition the courts for an amendment to the support order.From what I can see you will make out in the end.They will go by her income as well and she may end up getting nothing from you since you each have 1 child.I went through a similar situation and I ended up paying,so go for it.

Answer 8

You are no longer raising your son...under the law he is an adult what you spend on him is your choice. If you want to stop supporting him then tell him to get off his butt and get a job and start pitching in to pay the bills. You still have another child to support...and that is between yourself, your ex and the courts.

Answer 9

I wish I could help you, I feel it for you, but at least you only have 3 years of paying my hubby has a 3 yo girl and pays over 600 just for that kid, it is not fair they should make those kind of woman to have like a paper with them sayin that they are money liches before anyone makes kids with them.

Answer 10

If I were you, I would file a request for modification of child support. Get in front of the Judge and make him/her decide how much you have to pay. They may reduce your support, in fact they probably will since you are only paying support on one child now. Good Luck.