I have a friend that owes 2 months in back child support totaling $1,500. This is money that he simply does not have, because he has been paying ALL of the bills for his soon-to-be-ex and their kids for the past freakin year, because she doesn't have a job and refuses to get one. Not only has he been paying all of the bills (including their groceries), but he's also trying to pay off a ton of debt that she incurred during the 17 years of their marriage,
Does this seem fair to you??
2007-10-10 00:28:12 · 9 answers · asked by Gianna 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
No, its not fair. That is where the phrase "its cheaper to keep her" comes from. Even though it would relieve a bunch of the mess to get rid of someone, it costs dearly to do so (& may be worth it!). He will need to make payment arrangements to catch up the rears. If the judge can find money from his check, he will make your friend pay!
I know someone who was in a similar jam, but in his state, the money is calculated on household income & not individual, so she goes out & gets a job real quick in order to boost the household income number & he has to pay that new higher amount! Then she quits!
2007-10-10 02:21:56 · answer #1 · answered by ricks 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of things in life that are not fair. Your friend should petition for custody if his "soon-to-be-ex" will not work. Then she will be forced to get a job and pay child support to him. But your friend should also be careful because if his ex-wife didn't have a job while they were married because it was agreed upon that he earned enough to support them both, he could end up paying alimony as well until his ex-wife either gets remarried or dies or voluntarily finds a job.
I would petition for custody because he would, I am almost certain, get the upper hand. He could use the fact that he buys groceries because his ex-wife is not able to support his kids. Again this is assuming that she had a job while they were married.
He would qualify for extra benefits, depending on your state, such as assistance with child care and definitely put himself in a lower tax bracket if he pursues custody of the kids.
Another thing to note is that for those who do not pay child support, again depending upon your state, they could put a boot on his car making it immobile until he pays and if he needed to go out of the country as business related or even for personal pleasure he could not get a passport until he paid back child support.
Hopefully he has documents and receipts of what he is paying in mutually created debts. I would even go as far as to get a statement from teachers asking if they notice a change in behavior in the kids. I would then file for custody.
For every dead beat daddy, there is a dead beat mommy to go along as well. Unfortunately it is sometimes cheaper to keep the ex, because situations and expenses that arise out of breakups separations divorces are cumbersome.
2007-10-10 03:05:10 · answer #2 · answered by Nique T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not fair but he has rights to. Hopefully he kept all his receipts for all those bills he was paying. Get his own lawyer and ask for joint custody, split the days equally then he'll be okay. As long as he's not unfit or a criminal the judge will grant him joint custody especially if he can prove he's been taking care of them. Never stay with someone to save money you will be miserable!
2007-10-10 03:38:35 · answer #3 · answered by askmeguru21 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't seem fair but child support should be the 1st thing he pays. He needs to talk to his lawyer. I find it hard to beleive that he is responsible for everything here.
2007-10-10 05:10:23 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he should have gone to court and gotten official support order created - he shouldn't be paying all her bills - it's not his responsibility if she refuses to work - tell him to pay the child support and nothing else until court decides otherwise
2007-10-10 02:51:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What PEGGY S doesn't seem to understand is that lots of times a divorce is inevitable if both parties are miserable. Duhhh.
No, it's not fair. It's time for that b*itch to get a job!
2007-10-10 00:57:20 · answer #6 · answered by Joanne 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I dont think child support is an option, he will pay it... one way or the other... when they garnish his paycheck... and take that out first perhaps.
2007-10-10 02:24:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you cant pay you're child support you could be jailed..try to contact a good lawyer..he'll be a good help to you
2007-10-13 22:24:04 · answer #8 · answered by mackie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he should not have gotten a divorce. Maybe a little counseling would have cost him a lot less.
2007-10-10 00:38:11 · answer #9 · answered by PEGGY S 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋