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Child Support

I'm going to post some questions here to get your views about child support and different scenarios regarding payment/non-payment. What I'd like to do is discuss each scenario and then post the next scenario... [sort of like the Game Master ] I'm interest to know male and female views, custodial or non-custodial parents, and what the different rules/guidelines/laws are in different countries. I'm starting off with an American single mother's viewpoint, because that's what I am ;D And here goes:

1. Do you think child support should be paid?

2. What about support paid by the mother to a father who has custody?

3. How much do you think is "Fair" to pay per child?

Support Child

Yea, I do believe that child support should be paid. But of course, I recieve child support for my oldest child. But it took me 2 years to get him into court for the child support to be set up.

I believe that the absent parent (whether it be mother or father) should pay child support.

I am not sure of the actually percentage of a person's earnings, here where I live. My oldest daughter only gets $125 a month from her father. But he owes so much back child support that I also receive all of his tax refund every year too. (He was a dead beat dad for 5 years of Sylvanna's life).

Child Support Reviews Consumer & Travel Family Culture

Of course!!!! , it must be paid, otherwise, they should go to jail....yeah...I'm like Judge Judy

I don't see any difference, just because is a woman it doesn't mean she could get away with it . She should pay child support for her child just like a man should do it also.

I have no idea, I suppose it depends in which country are you in but it should met their basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and other things that the child may need.

Support Child

Okay, what about a mother who has to pay the father with custody, even if the father earns 3 times the money that the mother makes?

Support Child

I believe it does not matter how much the other party earns. Each parent should contribute a 'value' towards the child as it is a responsibility. However, if the 'richer' party knows it is a genuine strain on the other he/she can be merciful in either allowing a lesser amount be paid or or less monthly payments per year.

Child Support

I agree with Jb. The absent parent should pay child support. Regardless of how much the parent with custody makes. If the child support is pursued thru the state, they usually take the lowest percentage to make it easier on some of the absent parents just to get them to pay it.

Child Support

I agree with JB and Mss, it doesn't matter even if the parent in custody is filth rich, the other parent has a moral responsibilty towards his/her child, therefore should pay child support.

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In Massachusetts, they first take the total income of both parents. Then from that number they determine a certain percentage that the child is entitled to for support. Then it is prorated to both parties based upon who makes what.

Simple example.

Father makes $200,000
Mother makes $100,000

If child is entitled to $300 per week the father would pay $200 and the mother $100.

The actual formula is a little more complicated than that though. The principal is the same. So if the mother has custody in my above example she would get $200 per week from the father. She doesn't actually write a check for her portion, it is assumed it will be spent to support the child.

If the child lives with the father, the mother pays him $100 per week.

It should not matter how much more than one or the other is earned. Both have a fiscal responsibility to the child. It should be preportioned based on income just like it would be if they were living together.

In most states that I know of child support is a percentage of income. This percentage varies by state, but if the parents don't make a lot of money then their won't be a lot of support even if the child's needs aren't met.

I know a case where two very young people had a child. They weren't married and he made minimum US wage. The mother went to Court to get more money because she couldn't make ends meet. The judge told her it was too bad because he didn't make enough money and she needed to find a way to make it on the amount he gave her. In other words, the Court isn't going to take 100% of his income if he is poor to pay child support.

I think all parents should pay. My son and the mother of his child have never gone to Court. He pays regular support. An amount they have agreed upon which I believe is close to what the Court would order. In addition, when she needs extra money for new shoes or preschool, etc., he has always provided it to the extent he can. He recognizes that it is his son and his responsibility doesn't end with the amount of support a Court would order. He provides as much as he can on what he earns. He realizes if he doesn't help where he can his son is the one to suffer. I am proud of the way he has taken responsibility for his son financially and happy that they have been able to work this issue out without needing Court intervention.

I believe this is rare and don't know what will happen when they both are married to other people and trying to live on their own. I hope they always put their child first.

Edited: tenaheff on 29th Dec, 2004 - 5:32pm