use of child support money??

[Detter D]

Does anyone know if there are any rules regarding what your ex
spends her child support money on?

[Stephens Dad]

In California, there are no rules on how the CS money is used.  This doesn't seem to fit into the "what's best for the child" however it does cut down on "needless accountability" of the custodial parent

[nosonew]

Not to my knowledge, and I have checked many a site.  

Our bm bought 4 properties she rents out (all bought with cs money), now has "losses" off of these properties that she gets to deduct from her gross income. Yeah, right.

[wendl]

well they really dont have to account how they spend the money. In some states you can request it but they dont have to provide receipts so they can say well xx is for rent xx is for food and a lot of other bs.

[MSRP]

Frustrating, isn't it, to not have a say in where your money is going, especially if your ex is like mine and not using the money wisely or on the kids.   I have tried, there is nothing you can do about what that money is spent on as long as the kids are somewhat being taken care of with it.  

[patton]

Texas passed a new law in September 2003.  I can't find the exact wording, but it basically stated that IF you pay over $700 a month in child support that you can request an accouting from the custodial parent for what the money is spent on.

If they do not provide it, it is contempt.  But it has to be in a court order after September 2003.

[Davy]

Finally...let me say it again ...FINALLY !!

Accountability has been a long time coming.  In the old days, it was common practice in the courts for a judge to raise the CS amount when a father filed a contempt motion (ie denial of visitation)...as an example.

The initial CS amount was determined by the judge asking "How much money do you want ma'am ?" followed by "Oh ...I think I'll just add $100 to that amount" as he would look at the father and smile.

[MixedBag]

I know there are CPs out there who try to LIVE on the CS they receive for the kids...

But I remember back 15 years ago when I did have to ARGUE for every dime in child support and that costs tons of money (where the attorney's got it all and not the kids), tons of aggrivation, tons of time, you name it.

I agree there was injustice in the old way of justifying every dime, and there is injustice in the present system too.

When a NCP thinks the CP isn't taking care of the kids properly, then it's probably the right thing to do....itemize and justify.

At least TX set a base level...

[Davy]

As a male CP the kids received ZERO support and the BM's income was about equal to my income.   A male CP suing for CS would have been laughable.

The only CS issue in my particular case was that I had to enter the Federal court system in order to pay CS ... BM did not want it so it could be said I was a 'deadbeat'.  The welfare of the kids did not matter.  

As a male NCP half of the support my 3 kids was to receive went to support BM's boyfriend/husband 2 kids and the other half went to his alcohol consumption.  This was proved-up in dispositions in a parental termination case brought by boyfriend's ex.

While your particular circumstance may be an exception and in agreement that there are many responsible female CP's ... in general  the major discontent for many men is the certain lack of accountability required of women just because they are women and MEN DO WANT TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN.

All children will benefit with accountability and I have no idea (except female opposition) why a base amount would be set...makes no sense.

[kiddosmom]

I agree with all of the others, although as Davy said their are SOME responcible female CP's (I have recently been able to talk with some of those) Alot, like the BM in our case made it a point to tell DH that the $$ he gave her went to take out her bf and buy everyone living in her home cigerettes.