Tracking CS
Abeaulieu's question on what CS is suppose to cover got me thinking about should CS be tracked?
Should the CP receiving CS be required to provide documentation of where the CS is going?
I guess I feel that there should be some accountability. Show the money is being used for the child, and not to maintain the parents lifestyle.
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Oh man, dont even get me
Oh man, dont even get me started on this topic! I completely agree that custodial parents should have to provide receipts, etc when asked. I think it would prevent a LOT of problems in blended families.
On that note, DH received disability from BM as a replacement for CS. B/c it came from the gov, we had to provide receipts for everything...if the feds can do it, why cant it be done at the state level?
DH pays $450/month for 2
DH pays $450/month for 2 skids. It's an amount DH & BM agreed on when DH let the skids go live with her. It's more than what would've been ordered had they gone before a judge, but BM complains it's not enough to raise 2 kids on. Of course it's not. CS is not intended to be enough to cover the entire cost of raising them. It's intended to be his part. BM doesn't work, so of course, she's hurting for money. DH has never questioned what his CS goes toward, being it's not a huge amount. He raised the kids without BM (or her CS) for 4 years. He knows it costs more than what he pays, so he doesn't complain about it. For those who have to pay out the nose...I absolutely feel that tracking is appropriate.
450 for 2? DH pays more than
450 for 2? DH pays more than that for one and his kid called to ask for more for school clothes!
Yep. That was the agreement.
Yep. That was the agreement. DH closed their CS case twice to keep BM out of jail because of arrears. She was ordered to pay $27/week for 2, & didn't do it. DH raised skids for 4 years without her or her CS so when she begged for a second chance to raise her kids & the kids begged to live with BM, that was the deal. She FB messaged me a few weeks ago complaining that it isn't enough to raise 2 kids on. I just told her it was the agreement. It's not intended to be enough to raise them on. It's his portion of responsibility. It's what in the papers, & DH fully understands it's not enough to raise 2 kids on. He understands it because he raised them with $450 less a month than what she's having to do. If she feels she needs more money to support her children, she needs to get a J.O.B.
I like the theory, but in
I like the theory, but in practise I can see why it would be difficult - imagine a monthly trip for groceries - most of the stuff in there would be for the whole family, so the total could be divided up, but then if a BM bought a bottle of wine, some tampons, a few toiletries, a present for a friend etc it would soon start to get too confusing. In it's worst incarnation you could have people arguing over grocery bills saying "SD/SS doesn't even LIKE broccoli - why should I pay for that???"
However, I think a rough break down of certain costs would be beneficial where CS is based on the cost of raising the child rather than a percentage of income - i.e. 1/3 of rent, 1/3 utility bills, receipts for clothing, childcare & activities etc.
Yeah, I too can see how it
Yeah, I too can see how it would be difficult to implement and agree with you that a break down of costs based on percentages might work better. I guess I'm more referring to the CP who get CS, who doesn't make a lot of their own money to spend on themselves, who when they get CS all of a sudden they're going out to the bar, buying new things for themselves, etc.
*snicker* I love to tell my
*snicker* I love to tell my EH I'm headed out for a mani/pedi when he pays his CS. Of course, we can do that because he knows perfectson wants for nothing and we get along great. But I think it used to really piss off his EW.
I think that the original
I think that the original order should not requiere receipts, however a modification states "increased needs of a child"...therefore, if you can ask for an increase with the "claim" your child's needs/costs have increased, you should also have to provide proof/receipts. If you cannot provide proof/receipts, then you should not be able to claim it costs you more and thus should not receive an increase.
ie. The witch receives twice as much as before, but yet lives w/in-laws, has minimum school expenses since kid doesn't go to school...they both do get professional hair coloring, yes, incl the then 13yr old while I buy a 5usd at home haircolor for myself.