Child Support is an Unjust Burden

by Ian Kull
(Denton, Texas, USA)

Child Support in Texas is unfair, inequitable, and unjust. Given the current standard visitation laws in Texas child support puts an unjust burden on the non-custodial parent (NCP).

Let's examine the facts. Standard visitation in TX allows the NCP to have the child for 47% of the year. Child support is calculated at 20% of the NCP's net income (after taxes). The child support is not considered income for tax purposes for the custodial parent (CP). Average allowances for maintaining a household are 40%.

Now, let's put these facts into play. The NPC pays the CP 20% of his/her income for 100% of the year. The NPC has to pay for 100% of the care of the child for 47% of the year on top of the 20% that he/she is paying to the CP. This means that for 47% of the year the CP is getting free money for no reason what-so-ever. This also means that for that same 47% of the year the NCP is spending a minimum of 60% of his/her income for housing and child care. Only 20% of the CP's income goes to housing/child care 100% of the year. Between 60% of the NCP's income goes to housing/child care during that same period. This is without taking into account the cost to the NCP for providing insurance for the child. But wait, there's more! The CP then gets the tax benefits of the child. If we include the cost of insurance to the NCP's total output and decrease the CP's output by the tax benefits the gap between the two is made even larger. So, I ask, is this equitable, fair and just? Is it really any wonder that people do not pay their child support?

While on that subject, I'd like to point out that only 38% of males who are ordered to pay child support are in arrears. This is shadowed by 50% of females who are ordered to pay support but neglect their obligation. Yet people still talk of dead beat dads.