The child should stay with the wealthier parent unless:

1. the other parent can provide a home, clothing, food, etc...without anyone's help at the time of the divorce/split
2. the wealthier parent is not abusive or a drunk, etc.

There is a reason human children don't hatch from an egg and raise themselves autonomously.

Both parents should be responsible for raising children. Financially responsible as well as physically responsible.

All of this could be prevented if each individual took responsibility for their own reproduction and if people were a little more careful who they procreated with instead of doing whatever feels good at the time and then letting kids flap in the wind with the consequences.

I don't think it should be black and white. I think these things should be handled on a case-by-case basis. The wealthier parent, during the marriage, left the majority of the parenting up to the other parent. Or the wealthier parent could have a violent temper, be an abuser, or have other serious problems that could jeopardize the children.

Then we have cases where the children are obviously jeopardized because the CP CHOOSES not to work, and often uses the CS on trips to the hair salon for themselves, a nice new car for themselves, designer clothes for themselves, etc., while the NCP is scraping to get by and the kids in question are going without. Those kids should automatically go to the NCP and BM should lose custody and be made to get therapy.

In our situation, BM brings in lots of money by not working. In addition she has a live in boyfriend and her brother living there too. Yet, she is always saying she can't afford things and that my Dh is cheap. BM is the cheap one. She will spend money on herself and trips for herself. Yet the skids will look like crap. BM sleeps around and introduces these guys to the skids. BM is PASing the skids and also drops the skids anywhere someone will take care of them. However, she will not let Dh have extra time with them.

My Dh does make more money, has morals and is a very involved Dad. He's great Dad and I hope he wins this custody battle.

Even though I have a college degree it is impossible for me to make as much money as my ex does. He does manual labor at a plant working 12+ every day therefore he makes overtime every week. Since he works so many hours he would not be at home to put our daughter on the bus or get her off the bus, help with school functions, take her to girl scouts, help with homework, cook dinner, do bath time, take her to music lessons, take her to dance class, take her to soccer practice, u get the idea. Of course I could get another job and that would make our incomes equal but then I would be working more hours and then who would do all these things for our daughter. I do all the hands on things with my daughter and her dad pays cs to help make her life a little more financially comfortable we are a team and it works well why should she live with him?

I think we can agree that it's not really an issue about child support at all the best parent that will take the best care of their child should have custody regardless of CS. All of our money gets put together my paychecks+CS it all goes to the same place and I do go on a regular basis to the salon and keep my nails done but I can also say that my BD's sit right beside me and get their mani/pedi right along with mommy when I go shopping we all go shopping when I pay mortgage it comes out of my checking account which means I am using my pay and CS to pay the bills. BM's that run around with their children looking like ragdolls while they spend all the CS on stuff for themselves shouldn't have their kids because they are bad parents all the way around it has nothing to do with CS or who makes more money

That's not every case though. If our bms actually paid thier child support (which they don't incidentally) they would be contributing 200 a month..... So hardly "supporting two households".

There is such a wide range of situations that no one answer or policy will correctly address everyone. Even growing up, my dad paid my mom child support, but he still did a lot more trips and fun things with us. His time was all about fun, and he only had to entertain us for a few days a month, whereas my.mom had all the.household.bills and responsibilities. But, my dad didn't remarry so he only needed a one bedroom apt, and saved his money til he had us.

Be careful what you wish for.....if you get PC it will change the dynamics of everything. Suddenly, a kid that you used to be able to tolerate becomes a kid you CAN"T STAND. I know, it sucks that BMs are greedy. They just don't like their ex to move on and be happy.

The problem isn't the money in who gets custody, it's how each parent will parent after the split. Women are bitter in more cases than the man being bitter; most children are better off with more time with dad than mom. And giving one person physical custody and one person "visitation" is messed up. They only do that to justify child support. While I understand what you all are saying, there are families who have a sahm who takes care of the kids while the husband works full time. If they divorce...what should happen? This happened to me, but luckily I had started a home business when my kids were toddlers/babies and it was enough to support us. As already mentioned, there are SO many variables. The entire system needs to be revamped. I think they should do away with lawyers, and psychologists should do home studies, mediate with the couple, and work out a viable solution for everyone. Psychs can learn a LOT when dealing with people in this scenario.