Im paying $1300/mth in child support for 3 kids. What determines a reduction in child support?Its killing me!?

Question

The ex doesn't work and is on welfare. My situation has changed a little because I am now remarried and want to have more children but we feel like we will never be financially ready to have any more kids. Is there a way to get child support reduced? It has been 2 years since the divorce and of paying full child support. Also my parenting time is still 3 days/ week.

Answer 1

God love ya, I know what it's like! First let me say, child support IS welfare as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure that answer is NOT going to make me very popular, but we all have our experiences and our opinions.

Some of the laws have changed and child support amounts have been reduced by 20% or so, but I don't know if that's statewide or national or what. There is almost no way out, though, I can tell you that much.

IT KILLS ME that the courts treat men like they are criminals just for being fathers. Pay your support or you will be thrown in jail. What did you do other than have children with someone and work a job to support your family?

Anyway, I really wish I could help. Believe me, I know what you are going through. There are no good answers, and they have it pretty much locked up that you can't get it reduced or get out of it. I'm sorry.

P.S. Just look at the general opinion of the people out here. They just don't get it when it comes to stuff like this. This is why the laws are so hard to fight. The right people have pushed and pushed for unfair laws and they have people who have no idea what they are talking about supporting them.

Answer 2

You must have made some good money when you divorced. Typically child support is calculated by your income.

Child support is meant to "help" support the children, not support them completely.

If you make more now than you did two years ago, be careful requesting for a reduction, it might be increased. Then again, as KC mentioned, if your state reduced the percentage, then you need to request for that reduction. If your papers state that you have the kids for 3 full days a week, you might be able to reduce the support.... Have you ever thought of getting custody of the kids? I would not want my kids raised on welfar. That is a lousey life for the kids and if you can provide them a more stable life then you should.

You do need to make sure your three children are properly taken care of before you have more children and with them living in a welfare home, they are not getting everything that they need.

Answer 3

You need to go back to court and get it revised.
It is based on your salary.
Do not look to reduce it because you parent 3 days a week.
Those are your children and those are day you are supposse to spend with them, so do not think of it as you are "babysitting".
Its a shame to think she would use public aid and you as a source of income. I would only understand if the children are younger than school age because daycare and sitters are defeating the purpose of a job w/3 children.
But, I have 5 children and work on the internet, there really is not an excuse any more unless an illnes.
The answer is get an attorney to look at revising your case. The judge will look at your wages.
I want to give you Kudos for even paying your child support, good for you! My ex doesn't at all.

Answer 4

First of all, they're your children. It's your responsibility to financially provide for them be $1 or $1300 either you have a new wife and want to have more kids or not. Secondly, if your ex-wife is on welfare, she shouldn't be getting the full check because it'd constitute fraude if she hasn't notified welfare of this source of income. They should be intercepting your child support payment since they're providing her most likely with food stamps, cash, and medicaid coverage BUT this if the children are on her caseload and it's very possible they're not. In addition, the time your children spend with you, has nothing to do with your child support. It's not going to change it, she's the custodial parent. Finally, either way, you're pretty much stuck with taking care of your children (their yours, your responsibility) so unless your income drops, there's not much that can be changed. I guess wifey is going to have to go to work and make a better living for you guys.

Answer 5

You can go to court and try to have the order of support amended. But the fact that you are remarried and want to have a family are just too bad. The law doesn't care about what YOU want, they are concerned with the financial support of the children...my question is why is your ex spouse on welfare? I would bring that up when asking to amend the order of support.

Answer 6

If your child support was set by the court system, then there is probably little you can do. I'd think you would be very hesitant to have more children with this new wife. Do you see what happens when things don't work out? Personally, I will never have another child with anyone and this is why. They're items to fight and whine over -- "I want more money to raise your kids" and "I don't want to pay you child support because you blow it on the riverboat". Who out there cares about the children anymore?

Answer 7

Child support is based on your income and it will be 30% of what your gross income is. so if you can lower your income you can lower your child support. it does not matter if she does not work. I'm surprised that wel fare is alowing her to keep going this way with that much income for chid support. In my state if you recive child support you can not get on wel fare you have to get a job. but every state is different. the only thing you can do is ask for one but you could end up paying more then you do now unless you get another job with a lower income or you got a income rduction. If you have the type of a job were you can lower your income for two months then do that file the papers and lower it untill you go to court and then go back to working more and never include over time that is not considered income. Good luck my husband had to pay 1200.00 for his three kids now they live with us and she pays 250.00 a month so good luck

Answer 8

Wow! You are pretty juvenile aren't you. You want to reduce the money that goes to help support the 3 children who you put into this world! You have gotten re-married to someone else who is willing to put herself in the same situation you had with your first family, WOW! People never cease to amaze me. Your first family actually needs a raise-NOT a reduction. Prices of things have not fallen they have risen and will keep on rising. Fuel and grains are more expensive which causes a rise in everything a person could purchase! You should probably do more thinking and less baby making. You already have THREE children.

Answer 9

Your new wife is going to have to make more money for you two to survive. Because some of your monies are tied up with the ex. You could lose your job but that wouldn't help your current family either. There are no easy answers for this one. You need to speak with an attorney who specializes in child support though. Also check into if you increse your time with the kids can you get a reduction in child support.

Answer 10

KC, how dare you say child support is walfare. First of all i am not on walfare and i receive child support every month. Its plan to see you know nothing about child support, you just dont know how hard it is taking care of a child all by yourself. And you damn right those who dont pay should go to jail why should the mother be the only one responsible for supporting the child. You need to get your facts staight before you start commenting on things you know nothing about. One more tip look up the meaning of walfare smarty pants!!!!!!