Child Support Question?

Question

Do you feel it is fair to make a non-custodial parent not be able to afford to live? The custodial parent makes more money than the non-custodial parent. The custodial parent will now have 4000 to live on and the non-custodial parent will now have 1000 to live on, whereas the non-custodial parent had 2000 to live on before. $1000 includes childcare. The non custodial parents income is so low now that they now are qualified for food stamps and free medical which means us the taxpayers are now paying for the child support decision. What do you think?

This person is required to pay daycare on top of child support. The child is a baby. I believe support is due, but this is extortion to me.

Getting a second job and then you have to pay even more money and do not have time to see your children...wow, I didn't think about that. Also, where is the time to time or money to even meet a new mate.

Answer 1

Get a second job...get a second job. So you get a second job, that gets tacked on to your income and wham....you're paying more in support. And then you're getting complaints because now you don't have any time to spend with the kid.

It's a lose-lose-lose situation. And, sadly, there's no good answer. I can tell that most of the people that have such empathy for those who find themselves in these situations have obviously never tried to live through one. I have. 18 years now.

You do it for your kid. And you suffer it because it's the right thing and, usually, the right thing isn't necessarily the easy thing. I'm counting the months until my support obligation is over and then, I'll support my son as an adult directly with no courts, no ex, and no disregard for the lifestyle.

Answer 2

If the non-custodial parent doesn't like the support order then he/she needs to go to court to have it dropped. Barring that the non-custodial parent needs to get off the welfare and get a second job. The fact that the custodial parent makes more money than the non custodial parent doesn't really enter into the picture. The CHILD isn't earning the money...Support is based upon the quality of life of the CHILD and the income of both parents. The non-custodial parent is responsible for at least 1/3 the cost of the CHILD'S needs regardless of the fact it leaves him/her with much less to live on. Child support goes to pay for 1/3 the rent/mortgage the custodial parent has to pay, 1/3 the heating/air conditioning/electric the custodial parent has to pay, The non custodial parent has to pay 1/3 water, sewer, garbage that the custodial parent has to pay, 1/3 cable/internet/telephone, 1/3 gas getting child back and forth to doctor/dental visits, etc. What the custodial parent makes goes to support the custodial parent as WELL as 1/3 of the child's needs...What I think is that the non-custodial parent needs to quit whining.

Answer 3

It seems to me the non custodial parent had a pretty lousy lawyer..... But again they made their bed and must now sleep in it... mmmm? All I can say is the law is the law and I don't know of any judge that will take 50% of someones pay to pay for child support.. I feel sorry for the non custodial person but the support is a mandatory thing in this day and age.. The divorce must have been terrible because to put an X in a state of food stamps etc is a pretty low thing to do... Seems the custodial parent is not very Godly.. Oh well remember and this is as true as if you are alive what goes round comes round... Goodd luck Grant M in Pennsylvania

Answer 4

First off, you have two separate issues in your question.

Bottom line is that the custodial parent has the kids and it costs money. The other parent has to pay.

This really isn't a law issue. The custodial parent agrees or declines the set amount. The custodial parent has the authority to reduce the amount. The issue needs to be taken up with the custodial parent.

My husband was married previously to a woman that "wants her money"! His weekly paycheck (with overtime) is $150 net! He gets $600 to live on for a month! He got custody of 1 of his kids and still pays the same amount. (go figure!) Welfare said he didn't qualify because his GROSS income exceeds the 150% of poverty level. Thank goodness I have a job to support us!

It's unfortunate that it isn't in favor of the lower income person. But, if they can't afford to pay for their kids... maybe they shouldn't be having them!!!

Answer 5

Life was never promised by God to any of us to be fair nor a rose garden so why should it then be required of a legal system built by man or possibly woman? For many many years now any of us entering a marriage to have children knew vry wellthat there existed a chance that should the marriage end for whatever reason that there willbe tremendous amount of child support and yet we allstillgo there and now blame the legal system for it? Is that fair for it never made any of us get married and have kids? People dump their messed lifes on the courts and then pray for the Judge to straighten them out for them.Its not easy for the Judge but he starts with the best interest of the kids first and then the resident parent raising these kids. From experience, most spouses will argue that he/she shouldnt pay support,but they had these kids and its their primary responsibility to help raise them as well as the custodial parent, so the legal system developed child support and the state legislature developed the guidelines from which to determine the amount per child per each month whether or not it places a financial burden on the payee,just as long as it is paid on time each month for a specific time limit. Now that amount is never fair to any party but not for the same reason;one is too low and the other its too high so which one wins? Its not easy being a family court Judge!! This is one huge reason I tell divorcing couples to try and work out all the details outside of the courtroom, and not let the Judge decide their lives. It does work

Answer 6

there are many issues that need to be addressed in the whol child support issue I am a custodial parent and my ex pays me but he also makes more money than I do and lives with friends and is not having to keep a household up for his son I am the one that has to pay all of the bills now and to make sure my son has food clothing ect. I think that the non cutodial parent should have to pay for their child/children but it should be based on their income alone not another persons income if they re marry or not but it is the non custodials obligation to make sure that their child/children are taken care of

Answer 7

Many non-custodial parents get 2nd jobs to support their kids. Sounds to me like someone is underemployed. The courts original decision had to have been based on the income at the time. If you're feeling so bad about it-give some of the money back-see how that feels. Then, see how it feels when the Dr. bills come in, Rx need to be bought, the car breaks down...

Answer 8

that amount sounds awful high. maybe the non-custodial parent need to get the support revised. I don't know how they set the amount in your state, but here in AZ it is figured on both incomes. say the total income is $5,000. with the custodial parent making $3,000. and the non custodial makes $2,000. for 1 child the state guidelide is $500. per month, they look at the income and the non custodial parent pays $200. per month.

if the non-custodial parent qualifys for food stamps, he/she will quailfy for legal aid too.

Answer 9

When this was all decided in court, I'm sure it was fair. The non-custodial parent needs to get a second job then.

Answer 10

sounds as if he needs to get the support order adjusted.

many states support the CP and will run to court when the NCP gets a $50 raise at work to up their support.

BUT...

Let him get fired and they say nothing. They know he can't pay and let the arrearages pile up anyway. or they get a raise and say nothing because it will make the amount he is responsible for go down.

She is unfair and the whole case needs to go back to court.

Have him contact the state (Child Support Agency) CSA for assistance in this. If they refuse to help him get the adjustment then he needs to get a lawyer and sue the CSA.
He will win.