Child Support Laws....in Texas

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Child Support Laws....in Texas

by No one Known

I think the Texas State laws of child support are unfair. My husband pays child support to his ex girlfriend and she has it made. 20% is a lot of income to be going to a child. His baby's mom complains that the child support barely covered day care. However, in my opinion the money should only cover half. She is half responsible if not more than half being that the woman should be the smart one in the situation as they are the one's that can get pregnant. Not only does she get his money in child support, her school was paid for and the state helped her out with food and housing just because she was an irresponsible woman. In my opinion the people who have no children and have waited till marriage should have more help from the state. Now his baby's mother is married and still receive a large sum of money. When the women gets married the percent should drop to 5% and before she gets married 10% but no 20%. It's good to know that his daughter that he sees less than his kids that live with him probably get more of his money. There is no way that a child uses 20% of the dads income and 20% of the moms which is what the 20% is saying. Because it is equally both their responsibility/fault not just the mans.

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Child Support Laws....in Texas

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Dec 23, 2011
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If you can't support your child
by: Anonymous

If you can't afford to care for your child let your x, ,,,why is the state involved??? Unless their are No parents!!! Both made them,,, AND the state is only in it for the money Ofcourse,, they don't care!

Dec 18, 2011
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CURRENT SPOUSE STATES PAYMENT TOO HIGH?
by: Anonymous

I wouldn't be so hasty in making the statement declaring the man whom you married should not have to pay the amount required by law. What if you reversed the situation and it was you that was not receiving help? If I were you I would hope and pray you are never put in that situation...hurts more when the shoe is on the other foot doesn't it???

Dec 18, 2011
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its what it is
by: survivor

Child support was not meant to be a punishment for the absent parent first of all. But because there are those who choose in make a child then walk away like that child didnt excist then its for you! I am a mother who works daily and dont have the neat hair, painted nails and would love for my ex husband yes husband to just say hi on facebook, but he doesnt. What he does do is remarry and become a stay at home foster parent and collect benefits from the state that his biological kids dont benefit from as away to survive. This is why child support excist. pretty sad. yes NEW ladies when our new man cant buy a loaf of bread because of child support its because that child needs the support from that dad. You are a non factor! He helped make it so for 18 yrs he needs to help with the expenses...cheaper to keep her a wise man said...
it doesnt matter what her income is thank God she was able to pull ahead, but that doesnt dismiss the fact that he laid now that child must get paid!!!! Dont get me wrong it doesnt feel fair but real men/women bite the bullet and want better for their kids reguardless of the suffering thats what a parent does. Trust me i do it everyday without his help not that its not ordered but just not paid. He will have to deal with his conscience not me i get my hugs daily.

Dec 14, 2011
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It's not about attacking one another, its about the children. get over it.
by: Anonymous

I have no idea why you have to use vulgarities, this is not to be a personal attack, however, hopefully your child will be taken care of to the fullest, and you can stop pointing fingers...focus on the child. I wasn't saying its okay for men to go around knocking up women and whining about not getting 20%....I MAKE DO WITH WHAT I HAVE. And my child is provided for and some, and yes on my dime....it is hard, but you know what, women are stronger than men, and we prove it everyday. Stop being so immature and show your child what a strong mother you are. Take care.

Dec 14, 2011
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If the baby is taken care of, dont worry bout the rest.
by: Anonymous

My child is happy and healthy and taken care of. I am thankful that I can support him on my own, and if his father can help then great...ignorance is bliss, i am sorry to hear that your situation is not so fortunate, however, I am blessed to have a happy healthy baby boy with two parents who love him. and if i needed the support, i would seek it. hope all of the mothers and fathers focus on the child at heart and not the monetary value of what it is all worth.

Dec 08, 2011
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Response to "Men Need to do Their Job..."
by: Anonymous

If you have taken your baby daddy to court then you are getting 20% of his net income dumb ass. It might not be what you want or an amount that covers 100% of the childs cost but it would be 20% of his net income. Just as much as it is the man's responsibilty to not have sex if they do not want a baby it is also the womans. You spread your legs and went in 50/50 to make that baby and therefore the monitary obligation should be 50/50 also. STOP LOOKING FOR A HANDOUT. The Texas Child Support laws, might as well be named "Legal Prostitution".

Dec 07, 2011
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Really? Ignorance redefined
by: TC

Wow. The only thing I can think to say is that you are an ignorant bitch. It takes two to have a child. If your BF or husband or whatever he is didn't want to take the risk of child birth then he shouldn't have been having sex. Period.

I am a single mom not by choice but because my ex husband decided to knock up some 22 yr old. She gets all the support and his first child gets nothing. Not 20% ot 10% nothing.

TX does nothing to enforce this.

If you were a single mother you'd be singing a different tune instead of your sanctimonious holier than though I waited till marriage to have a child BS.

Nov 30, 2011
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Men need to do their Job and get over it. take care of your children.
by: Anonymous

I am a single mother of one child, and I do not even receive the 20% because the father of my child simply cannot afford it..Where is it written in the books that women are to be the sole responsibility of a child if the father is alive and well??? A child did not ask to be born, a child did not ask to have two morons for parents to raise them...To all the men out there doing the right thing...Good for you....To all the ones who don't, hopefully you will see what a waste you have shown your children you are...To all the women who get up every morning to bust their butts to make sure their children are taken care of....You are truly a blessing.

If a man cannot afford a child, then stop having sex...Plain and simple. Pay your 20% and be happy you have children that love you and look up to you....it's absolutely ridiculous what men think they deserve because they have a child out there and are not a family with the mother..You deserve nothing but the satisfaction of knowing you have a beautiful little one and that, that child looks up to you and you are doing the RIGHT THING. Men, get over it and do your job..Sorry but i feel no mercy for men who feel the system is unjust....shouldn't have been procreating if that is what you did not want out of life.

Nov 18, 2011
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Texas Child support laws are laughable
by: Anonymous

First, Why are we posting on this site. The people at child support read our post and just laugh at us. They do not sympathize or have any empathy towards our every day struggle.

They have never taken into account that it takes two to make a baby only that one should pay and your blood is not enough.

These unfair rules in Texas will never change because... in case you haven’t noticed it’s a woman’s world they have more rules and regulations against men then any other state.

Never mind that you see your children as much as ...the mother allows. regardless of court orders. Ha that makes me laugh too. Never mind that when they ask you for something you give it to them freely even though that is what child support is for. NOT TO PAY FOR YOU BOOB JOB.

Even when you go to court they do not want to hear how your leaving from pay check to pay check or live in your car because you can’t afford to pay for an efficiency. And you have to sit there while you babies mama sits there with her hair neatly done. finger nails painted driving a BMW.

Now with that said.

I agree that the man should pay child support. However, It should NOT be solely based upon the fathers income. That is where the unfair rulings are. It should be based upon how much the father makes and how much the mother makes and a percentage of BOTH Income are what should be calculated to set the payment. This is ridiculous, my ex makes 4500 a month and I still have to pay 1/3 of my salary for child support. She also takes advantage of every loop hole and trust me for women there are a slew of them, to canive and use the system to her advantage. While she is eating filet minion I’m eating pork&beans. The laws are made for and most likely by women.

And what gives with the people who answer the phones. Are they trained to be obnoxious. I have never had a pleasant conversation with anyone who has ever answered a phone there. Also, MEN... They, the Texas child support, do not have your best interest in heart not one IODA. which is why we are constantly getting screwed.

Nov 17, 2011
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children come first
by: Anonymous

It saddens me that the only ones who suffer are the children. The parent receiving 20% in child support on behalf of the child should have to follow guidelines such as submit to random drug screening and keep track of what the money is spent on. I have twins with my ex an officer for the state of Texas. I know what he makes and he pays me an agreed 117.00 a month for both kids. I spent 100. In school suppliesthis fall/ 250 in clothing and shoes. I pay my rent, car payment, all utilities, food and any additional expenses. Such as field trips school projects and extra items they want
Child support is just that assistance to support the child. The 117 I receive which again is monthly for both boys doesn't even equal my electric bill. Its unfortunate that some people take advantage. I advise anyone who is looking to get into a relationship with someone who has children or is paying child support think long and hard over the situation! If your uncomfortable just dating knowing they are trying to do right by giving assistance to support their child then you have no business with them. My advice to those paying support. If you lose your job request the court to lower your support payments. Contact a mediator to help work things outwith the primary parent receiving child support and if you know someone is not caring for their child and wasting the money they receive file a complaint
Children shouldn't suffer due to parents inability to reconcile. Parenting takes to people to set aside their issues

Nov 16, 2011
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Something needs to change
by: Anonymous

I am currently engaged to a man who has four children (all by the same woman). His oldest is 20 and youngest is eight (8). I completely agree that child support should be paid. What isn't fair is that he fell behind and is now trying to do the right thing. So an extra $200/mnth is being garnished for the arrears. Now he is bringing home about half (a little, very little more) of his gross pay each pay period. Again, I agree the arrears should be paid, he owes it. What I don't agree with are these items...

1. How can you charge so much that a person doesn't even have enough to live on?

2. He is being charged interest on the arrears at 6% per year.

When someone is already paying 35% of $1200 then being charged another $200/mnth, that is barely enough to pay for rent and groceries in a month and you still have utilities and gas so you can go to work to pay the child support. Hopefully, your car never breaks down and is never in an accident because there is no way you'll ever be able to afford to get another one. So God forbid an unexpected expense occurs because there isn't any money left to pay for them.

Secondly, is she (the mother) reporting that interest income on her taxes? I would think that would be considered taxable income because it isn't child support. How is it even legal to charge interest? Child support isn't a loan!!! Paying interest only prolongs the amount of time that a parent has to pay "child support". How is that fair/legal? I don't get it!!! This needs to be changed!

The calculations for paying support need to be revised as well. I believe the income of both parents should be taken into consideration to decide if the child(ren) are being deprived monetarily due to the family separation. Who came up with these arbitrary percentages anyway? I mean a doctor who makes $200k a year has three children and required to pay 30% of his net pay in child support is still doing great, but a man who is a mechanic and makes $31,200/yr all other things constant is in much worse shape than the doctor.

I am seriously considering contacting my representative but I need more people to be willing to do the same.

Nov 15, 2011
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Fair State, Fair Laws!
by: Anonymous

20% is good for one child! people need to stop complaining! Especially men!! if you cant afford a child, why the hell! Quit complaining! its you own fault! My kids dad thought it was enogh child support he was paying! i think its fair! now he wont pay child support because he has no job.. He has a job, but pays only cash! My question is, what can i do for this Lazy as man to pay child support! I'm doing it on my own! and i did not conceived these kids on my own!!!! i cant do nothing about it, which really pissess me off.. is there anyone out there who know what i can do??? He can provide for his daughter that he had, who is only 6 months appart from my second son, but yet he cant provide for my kids! So unfair!!!!! what can i do!?

Nov 14, 2011
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Texas child support
by: Anonymous

Does anyone really knows what is it to care for a child’s needs? First of all 20% really does not cover daycare if child is in day care. It takes a lot more, that child needs food, clothes, medical, not to mentioned the unexpected field trips, and or school projects. Unless the parent that is paying child support brings all that to the table then I agree that the non-custodial parent should not have to pay 20% or whatever the case maybe. In reality does it happen? …NO of course not, 80% of the time what does the noncustodial parent does. Complain on how much money the custodial parent gets. In reality that money covers only about a 5% of the child needs. I think that all child support laws should protect the child more. If need be for a system to be established to where the parent pays the state and the stare passes it on to the child, the custodial parent should in return provide a detail expense report to the states. There are some custodial parents that are irresponsible and will use the money for them self and not for the child. For all non-custodial parents think about it, if the situation was vice versa would you be able to provide for the child if the child was residing with you and you had to enroll the child in daycare and ensure all needs are provided.???

Nov 10, 2011
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Something need to change in Texas
by: Anonymous

Im paying child support because the Mother of my grown son said that I missed 10yrs of paying, unfortunately I could not show where I had been in compliance, which is my fault. But my Son is now 23yrs old and taking care of himself. Whenever he needs any help he still calls me. I don't get a income tax check, it goes to the Attorney Gen. office. I'm a 53 yr old man that lives from pay check to pay check, I don't think it's fair that she continues to get money from me for his Medical Insurance and Child Support. There should be something in place for women that lie and continuing support for Children that are grown and taking care of themselves.

Nov 10, 2011
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Needs revision
by: Anonymous

i pay child support on 2 children which is 22.50 percent because i have another biological child that resides in the home. When i started paying support i was making 11.25/hour $434 month with insurance for child support. In 8 years i got a dollar raise to $12.25/hour. They are trying to make me pay $617/month now. which leaves me under $500 a check every 2 weeks. what is someone suppose to do with that? That also eliminates the raise and then some. No cost of living. No Nothing. She remarried both have great jobs $15 plus an hour.Also had another child less than 1 years old so now i have to pay for that i guess. My kids dont want to see me cause i cant afford to do anything with them. How can it be in the best interest of the children if it tears them away from their father? Circumstance must be looked at the system is set to move and go. Bringing circumstance to a case could cause tie ups but who cares!Also the AG office loves to throw out bogus numbers on your income. they got me listed making over a couple thousand more than ive ever made. Its a money making industry the best interst of the kids are overpassed. You wanna see who can raise a child better have both parents take lie detector tests about acholol and drugs. Also if the custodial parent has habits such as cigaretts that should be considered. Non custodial should not pay for anyones habits.

Nov 03, 2011
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NOT FAIR!!!!!
by: Anonymous

I am currently in a relationship and he has a son with his ex... i dont have anything against child support, its the right thing to do, what really bothers me is the amount that has to be paid... yes, when she put him on child support he was making $15/hr... but for the past months he hasnt been making that amount.. his current job pays him at $8/hr which is almost half less of what he used to make... he has his own life to take care of, he has his own bills to pay. child support is taking more than half of his pay check. he can afford anything, not even to put gas... i try and help him, but I'm still in school and making barely $9/hr.. i have rent, car, light bill, phone bill, insurance to pay. i had to pay for school, i have to bust my ass and work & figure out how to make it each month, while she just stretches her arm and gets $600 in child support. she doesnt work, she doesnt even bother looking for a job, shes not going to school, she lives with her parent... how fair is that?? what is gonna happen when i have children with him?? how is he gonna support us if all his money goes to her?? CHILD SUPPORT NEEDS TO BE FAIR! HE DOESNT HAVE TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING THIER SON NEEDS! SHE HAS THE SAME RESPONSIBILITY!!!! ITS NOT FAIR!!!

Nov 01, 2011
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Joint Custody Should be 50/50
by: Anonymous

I have two children and 50/50 custody. They call it a "joint conservatorship", but I pay my ex-wife $900 a month since she was designated "primary". I pay for their health insurance, a roof over their head, food, sports/entertainment...I have them more than 50% of the time. Why do I pay her child support? She does not work and lives with her wealthy husband...where is my support for raising two children?

I don't understand the logic of the laws in a 50/50 custody situation.

Oct 31, 2011
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20% of minimum wage and cant afford to fix the only car i have
by: Delbert

Im 25yo and I pay 20% in child support. Then the catch is five out of seven days I watch my girl during the fay and the other two I have her all day and all night. What is the point of paying child support if im the one losing sleep at a mere three hrs a day then up for twenty one hrs. She doesn't even go halfway with things to make things easier on me. Just a greedy woman looking to have it made by the child support she gets from me and her first ex husband with two kids. Now im the one who can't even take my daughter to a dr appointment when it gets scheduled and I don't make enough to keep the apartment I have and she always insinuates im a bad father. And what makes things worse is she makes double what I make an hr. What type of fair government does that to a single father? Me personally i don't believe fair by no means.

Oct 30, 2011
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equal rights of child support
by: Anonymous

hello to evey one out there that are in the same boat with the child support. I was married for 7 yrs to my wife that i love and adore however she dicided to look for some one else and left with him since i would never work i do understand why she left. When I met her i was attending college, to get a better education, but we got married and she ecouraged me to work and drop out school i listedn and work in the fields a bit didnt like it. I went into like a deressing stage since she wouldnt let me go back to school and fininsh my associates degree but it all changed once she left me so now that i am in school child support offices are telling me that education is a luxury that i cant affored.
When did education become a luxury dont have that right to finish my career to provide more for my children i dont mind to pay 1000 or even 2000 a month if i can afford it but like right now they want 500 and i cant even meet that agreemt. Sometimes i just want to give up and write a letter to my children tell them how much i love them and one to the media so they can know how hard it is when the government ecourges families to separate and obligates a male to become a slave to the mother of their children this is discrimination and then just jump in font of a speeding truck and die why cause this government is so messed up that now i dont trust them on the way they want to control us like if we were puppets

Oct 26, 2011
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Both Sides
by: Hardworking Single Mother

So I've been on both sides and neither one is fair. My x had a son that we took care of on his regular visitations, bought him clothes, shoes, etc. His x wife was always complaining bout this or that or that she didn't have enough money but yet she wasn't buying any clothes or shoes or food with that child support. She basically used it for her car, school, her cell phone, and her partying nights. Well now that my x and I have been divorced I receive child support, not enough to pay for at least half the daycare for our two boys but I manage. My boys DO NOT have a price tag on their heads, so with that being said, money shouldn't be the only thing people should worry about. Why don't u look at the child who suffers from not being able to see their dad because their dad would rather get a piece of a** than spend time with his own flesh and blood. I take care of my kids the best way I can with or without their child support....my x left my kids and I with a $650 rent, utilities, etc without a word. He left me to deal with everything and I mean everything. If he knew what my kids went through nite after nite wanting their dad crying for him and even yelling for him, he might just maybe understand that it's not all about the money. For u ladies out their that feed into these dead beat dads....don't worry it'll happen to u too, then you'll know what it's like being "the baby momma" and for u FEW dads that actually care about you child and spend time with them I give u props!! May God Bless you all who judge without even knowing the story or without even walking a day in our shoes!!

Oct 18, 2011
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completely agree with author
by: Anonymous

I have a husband and we have 2 kids together. He had a one night stand in TX 4 years before we met. When the kid was 5, she sent papers saying he had a kid and she wanted support. He knew NOTHING about the kid. Now after the F'ed up TX courts, he is $17,000 behind (through no fault of his own. She is on welfare and gets $1700 a month from us. She gets our entire tax return of around $5000 a year. She has him reevaluated EVERY single year to see if she can get more money. The kid is now 12 and we still have yet to ever even meet him. We have never lived in the same state so we travel to TX when we are "allowed" to see him and she is always gone out of state convieniently. I have a child from a previous relationship. I get $266 a month in child support. I think that is plenty to pay for 1/2 his needs. Just because you lay down with a guy shouldnt make you a greedy bitch if he makes something of his life and starts making good money. It should be base on the money he made when he slept with her. Thats the person she chose to have a baby with. The one who made $800 a month income. Pisses me off she benefits from his success now. Just saying....

Oct 17, 2011
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Good guys get screwed
by: Anonymous

I am a single father I took my ex to court for rights to my son they make me pay 400 a month and hit me with 5000 back support even though I was with her until 4 months before court and took care of my son she now gets foodstamps and Medicaid that I pay for an hasn't work in 3 years an lives rent free they take the money out my check an she now refuses to let me see him because I can't afford a lawyer again an her family has a lawyer I called to complain to child support office they tryed to get me to pay for a mediation meeting or said to hire a lawyer because there's nothing they can do THANKS CHILD SUPPORT OFFICE for screwing the few guys who do fight for their children

Oct 17, 2011
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Oct 16, 2011
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equal
by: Anonymous

I think psychologically, it makes sense to go to a non monetary system for children of divorces. When one parent is jealous of the other, it does not makes sense for parents to be spying on the other through their children. The system desperately needs laws in place that do not encourage divrce. The leagal system is biassed. The current laws are not even close to "equal rights". I think a child needs to be in the primary nuturing care of the mother until age 9. I also believe a child needs a little more structure and discipline from 9+. If we are, to stop the damage we have done and want our children to grow up and be productive members of society and to stop thinking they are entitled, the laws need some desperate change. I am amazed that the people who put these laws in place can be so ignorant and actually call themselves educated. All responsible parents need to join in a movement to better the world by getting some laws change and to have them make some sort of sense.

-Brian
Cruise113@hotmail.com

Oct 16, 2011
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Oct 10, 2011
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Getting Screw
by: Texas Mom

I been divorced for 10 yrs and I have worked hard to give my dauther a good life. Never asked for a hand out from the Goverment. I never ever received foods stamps, welfare checks nor housing. I worked hard starting from earning $8.50/hr to $19.50/hr My ex-husban never sees her dauther only when he feels like it or has time for ther. He screw some other bimbo and got her pregnant and he comes crying to me to not go to child support for an increase because he wants to buy a house? Dont' we all want the same thing for our kids. He makes good money workd for the FBI makes a lot of overtime, he got another girl pregnant and now he had no choice but to get married so we wont have to pay a third child support. So you tell me, is it fair that he's giving my dauther $710.00/mo of child support when he's suppose to give more than that. I raised her by myself, im not beat up mom. I worked as hard as I can to give her the good life. $710/mo doesn't pay for all her expenses. She's 10yrs old and I'm the one who has to get out of work to pick her the one that takes her to her bascketball pratices and dancing classes. I'm the one who takes her to her dentist check up and doctors appt. Not him. so the least he can do is is pay more cause raising a kid on your own is not easy. It doesn't matter if you were married or not when you got pregnant guys in general have the responsibility to help the mother take care of their kids and even more when they have joint custody. You women who married a men who alrady have kids should know better that they have a responsibility with their kids. If you don't want the hassle of worrying about your now husband not able to providing more to their new wive and family, they shouldn't be screwing around in the first place. Sex has consequences and not only the women has fault but so does men. Men should stop crying less and take responsibility for their own actions as well. If they cant afford child support maybe they should be wearing condoms even if it doesn't feel the same.

Men now a days!!

Oct 06, 2011
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TOO MUCH MONEY!
by: Anonymous

I am a hard working man. I have two kids by two different mothers. They each recieve 20%. That's 40% of my pay for the ones that can't add. They each receive 1100 a month. Now i work out of country and get good pay when i'm working.. but when i'm home i only get a 40 hour check, which come out to 1200 after tax. How am I supposed to live on 200 every two weeks after they get their grubby little hands in my pockets... One of them lives with her mom... has no bills besides a phone... she don't need 1100 a month.. the other one is married to a man that is loaded making more than me... she don't need it... The Texas child support laws need to be revised so that it's fair to both parties....

Oct 06, 2011
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Child support not adult support
by: Anonymous

Paying beyond 18 is non sense he is an adult, all this laws that allow a iresponsible mother to keep having babies and making it a enterprise is just wrong, the funny thing is that most of the fathers that are forced to pay above 18 yrs are hard working peopole that are draged down by a system that collects money dont do a thing to enforce the rights of the paying fathers, while some soldiers are 18 and probably defending freedom that other 18 yrs old enjoy playing games and dont even pass their school classes as they should is just the kind of things that are draging us all down.

Oct 02, 2011
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Your stupid!!
by: Jasmine pierce

Well I am a 20 year old mOther to 1 he is a year n he has spinal bifida I got pregnant because my child's father wanted to trap me I disagree with u. Just because u are not married do t mean shit. It is the fathers responsibility to take care of his child he is the man. I take care of my child alone without the fathers money because he refuses to pay. 20% isn't anything. U talk about she shouldn't get help cuz she got preganant being unmarried. That is by far the stupidest thing I have ever heard. U trying to make up excuses for ur dog of a husband.the thing is u don't know what how it feels to be a single parent. Or grow up watching your mother struggle so until then don't put inputt in.

Sep 17, 2011
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Shut up
by: Anonymous

He should pay half of everything required to take care of that child and kids dont stop eating wearing clothes, needing daycare, medical insurance and going potty just cause daddy isnt there everyday. Believe me it adds up to 20%and sometimes more. Move on with your complaints cause I guarantee youll be singing a different tune in a couple years.

Sep 06, 2011
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Help a Soldier out please
by: Anonymous

I am in the military, i currently pay 1157.00 a month to an ex wife that will not get a job and cheated onme many times. she left me while i was deployed to my 4th tour in iraq. he boy friend is still married and lives with her and her parents. her dad smokes pot around my kids and on top of that she fights with me about getting to see them. i have to pay her even when i have my kids for over a month at a time. they want to live with me but she thinks they are her meal ticket. its bull, i mean she is using that money to support herself and her boyfriend. what can i do to either get the child support reduced or get custody of my kids. this woman gives women a bad name.

Sep 05, 2011
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support
by: Anonymous

child support is determined by the birth parents, not by the money in a household, just because she is married to someone else, does not mean that responsibility is someone elses. the child is the number one priority. as a man that has paid child support for 11 years, i understand being bitter about giving away money. having no input on how money is spent, and not seeing the direct impact it has for your children is very tough. and compound that with the fact that she was the reason for our divorce, and the friend of the court hates men.....after 11 years and 78k of support paid....all 3 children live with me, they are finally living the life they deserve, happy and healthy.
try looking at your situation in a positive light. it will only help with your sanity. giving money to someone you cant stomach to look at is bad enough. remember what is most important, the child. be the solid foundation that he/she needs and someday down the line the money given wont matter. best of luck.

Sep 01, 2011
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BS!
by: Anonymous

Drop it when she gets married? How would you feel if since you married the babys dad they raised it. Works both ways dumbass

Aug 25, 2011
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somebody help
by: Anonymous

i am a 40 yr old mother of 3 they are 16 and the twins are 13 my big complaint is with the attorney general the ncp has not payed a single dime in one year so i asked the att, general to take him to court they did he got a lawyer had it postponed for a month then had it postponed for another 2 months then i recieve a letter saying he paid 5,000.oo and the attorney general said that was there money i get none of that. i go to court the end of august and the attorney tells me gets credit for that that im still get nothing . the girls need clothes & school supplies i am disable and only get 675.00 a month rent is 700.00 my question is why am i paying the attorney general money to help me get money for the children when they pay there self first and i still dont get any money

Aug 22, 2011
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i dont understand
by: Anonymous

just wanted to say i am a mother of two children and the father of my children has a child with another girl. now so far I have helped pay for the his other son bc the mother wants to take him back to court every time we turn around. so not only is she getting almost half of his check but i have seen her get about 2400 in the last 6 mths on top just bc she decides to put him on back child support bc she found out i was pregnant for the years that they were together but of course theres no way to prove that so he is stuck. so coming from a mother of my OWN two that mind u are 2 and 3 and day care for them is 1000 a month i cant feel sorry for the ones that are complaining!! i work hard to provide and make sure i make enough to pay the bills ALL on my own just bc you should of thought about that when you were pregnant duh!! that could happen to anyone at any time!! so heres some advise...go get a good job make sure you can take care of YOUR kids and quit complaining. everything i have heard has to do with the other parent and not your children. i thought thats what the child support was for! and by the way the ones that talk about how much of every bill belongs to ur child...u make me sick.. i know i had all of my bills before i had kids. and get real the ones complaining about not having enough of child support u know u are on every govt thing u can get bc obviously u qualify unlike some of us who really have to pay 400 cash at the grocery store!!!

Aug 22, 2011
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wait until you need support
by: Anonymous

All I can say is.... just wait until he divorces you and you need child support. You will have a totally different view.

Aug 17, 2011
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women make the choice, not MEN.
by: Anonymous

i personally if a man wasn't with me, i wouldn't decide to have his child...or demand money from a man in the first place. yes i realize it takes two people to make a baby, but unfortunately the decision is left up to one. and that just isn't fair unless a man agrees to wanting to share that child with you...child support or not. and mistakes happen. that is how the majority of children are born, like it or not... so people need to quit acting like guys should be so up and willing and happily excited to pay for a child they don't get to choose that they want or not. the only guys i see perfectly fine with child support and not bitching are the ones who were previously married and loved their wives and children and wanted them. i know i personally would not expect a guy to pay for child support from an accidental child unless we both decided to have it together. if i made the choice to have it and he didn't agree, which in my opinion i would NOT, i wouldn't ask for a cent. its my baby for all that would be concerned. if we were married i would discuss it with my husband. and women need to figure when having children with even your husband, there is a possibility you might not stay together forever. then child support is reasonable because it was a joint decision in the child making.
guys are the silent party in all pregnancy. there is no say for them.

Aug 12, 2011
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I am judge, I know your heart
by: God

You are all going to hell in a hand basket, Both men and women. Because of your greed these children go without both parents appointed by God. Your discord and the accrimony you creat in front of your children over money will have to be answered for. Your children will suffer because of your sins, as you watch helplessly. Dont call my name in desperation for you have awaken a wrath you deserve. You are all vile creatures and your laws and government have forsaken all I have blessed you with. Your lack of compassion for each other and the amount of hatred you share for each other, I find repulsive. To think that once you bonded in love to creat these children and now all you teach is greed, hate and distruction.

Aug 11, 2011
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irresponsible decisions
by: Anonymous

I think the whole situation of children out of wedlock is just disgusting and irresponsible, for both the baby mama and baby daddy. If u r irresponsible enough to get into this situation with each other and alone, then u should have to deal with it alone. You didn't need the courts when u (both idiots) engage in premarital sex, and u shouldn't need the courts after the child is conceived. For the men, stop impregnated these women with the " oops the condom broke excuses." And women, be the more moral person in the situations and MAKE these men put on a condom, or actually get on birth control. There can't be these many "accidental" pregnancies in this country. It takes two to tangle, but come on ladies, we ultimately have to POWER to make them strap it up. Be blessed.

Aug 03, 2011
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Why
by: Anonymous

Recently I just went through my second divorce where I was trying to be a father to my child. The court system gave my ex wife who is in the USN custody of my youngest daughter along with child support. Now that I have a mortgage payment, car note, and utilities. To top it all off I just learned that my first child is getting 20% and my second is getting 17.5% which leaves me only about 60% of my check in which I make 14/hr to try and live off of. I mean come on seriously how am I to try and have anything in life to show my kids if I can barely afford to pay bills.

Aug 03, 2011
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I Propose a NEW Bill
by: Anonymous

How about all the men who feel that women are using them for child support, go and get fixed? I think there should be a law whereby men are offered (and in some cases made) to give them free vasectomies.
It should be offered under the men's sexual health plan for mid to low income PITA's. :-)

Hey, for all you men out there who don't say no to "her"... who ask for abortion etc. Why don't YOU do something about it? It's not like any of you complain when you are MAKING these kids!

Right ladies? Up top, high five!

Jul 29, 2011
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Wife leaves for whatever reason
by: Anonymous

I worked 5days aweek, would go home to take care of my two daughters...on weekends i would do events with my girls. my soon to be x, while i was working she had to take our girls to school drop them off and pick them up after 7 hours, open the door for the cleaning ladies, order jennie craig for her and restruant food for me. She will be getting and is using her 1/2 million trust fund that i cannt use or touch. Rope into signing a prenupt 2 months prior to our wedding day/her father. yet, she is asking for 38 percent child support for our two daughter's (which has moved to texas) my job is in another state. she is also asking for 500/month maintenance fee, wants me to pay life insurance,wants 1/2 of my retirement fund, wants the house and furnisher and our two vehicles. she has fallen out of love with me and so now i get to pay for her loveless life...has nothing to do with our kids who she never really spent anytime with.

Jul 27, 2011
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Question
by: Anonymous

I totally agree with you. I have a question... After 8 years, my husbands x girlfriend did not ask for child support. They remained good friends and she allowed us to visit when ever. She is now married and has a new born daughter. Both het and het husband are jobless. All of a sudden, she claims the court got ahold of het to put my husband on child support. We don't mind that he had to now pay child support, but... They live 4 hours from us. If were going to have to pay child support, we want more of my step son in our home. If she disagrees, will the court issue a schedule? How would that go, being as that we are 4 hours away.

Jul 26, 2011
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Unfair to the non-custodial parent
by: the current wife

I know that the Texas Child Support Laws are unfair for the non-custodial parent. The state will do everything to help the custodial parent get support, but doesn't do anything to help the non-custodial parent. My husband has been paying child support since 1997 he started paying a year and half before they even had a court order in place and then the court order went into effect June 1998, he's not missed one payment, he even agreed to pay his ex $100 more per month than what the courts required him to pay just to make sure she could never complain she wasn't getting enough. His ex has moved their child constantly over the years not because she had to for work but because she is running from bill collectors. The ex has refused to give out their new address every time they move and has refused to provide any school documents. The state will not release any information to him on the where about of his ex instead he's suppose to go to court we did that once paid a lot of money to finally get an address years ago, but we can't afford to keep paying legal fees to get her address when she moves about every 6 months. He only hears from the ex when she all of a sudden needs money for something but then she refuses to provide any receipts and just expects him to pay without providing proof which she is required to do so. The ex just informed him their child failed school and she is turning 18 in a couple weeks, but yet she refuses to send the report card or tell him why she failed. This would be the 2nd time she said their child has failed and all she cares about is telling him he needs to pay support for 2 mores years, except they moved again and she has refused to give him the new address and the child has also refused to give him the new address and they both refuse to provide him with proof that she failed and proof that she will be enrolled in school after turning 18. The state will not even help him force her to provide proof that their child will be enrolled in school. My husband hasn't seen his child in 6 years because of his ex, she has kept her away even though he has paid support, we do live in different states but we have always paid for all the travel expenses in the past. He wants to have child support suspended until she provides their new address and proof that their child is enrolled in school, but they won't suspended support. Anyone know of an attorney in Bell Co. that would take on our case?

Jul 21, 2011
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STUCK
by: RESPONSIBLE ANNYMOUS FATHER WITH WIFE

OK.OK. WHY CANT TEXAS HAVE THE DADDY LAW LIKE IN CALIFORNIA WHERE THE MALE NON/CUST PARENT HAS JUST AS MANY RIGHTS AS THE FEMALE CUST PARENT? NOW I HAVE KNOW OF CASES WHERE THE WOMEN WAS MARRIED W/HUB #1 WITH ONE CHILD AND THERE WAS ANOTHER MALE NOT BEING THE HUBBY SUPPOSEVLY EMPREGNATED HER WITH A CHILD. THEN THIS WOMEN WHILE PREG OF BABY #2 GOT DIVORCED FROM HUBBY #1 AND GOT MARRIED WITH A HUBBY #2 NOT BEING THE GUY THAT EMPREGNATED HER W/BABY#2 WHILE PREGNANT SHE DICIDES TO GET MARRIED WITH A HUBBY #2.GETS PREGNANT BY HUBBY #2 WITH TWO OTHER CHILDREN BY HUBBY #2. OH THAN DIVORCES HUBBY #2 AND IS ON FACEBOOK SAYING SHE IS IN A RELATIONSHIP AND I KNOW THAT SHE WAS LIVING W/ANOTHER GUY AFTER SO MANY MONTHS NOW SHE IS DATING A LIETENANT (NEW GUY) NOW THAT IS 3 FIRST BORN CHILDREN AND ANOTHER NOT BEING THE FIRST BORN.SO THAT MAKES IT HOW MUCH MONEY AND GOVERNMENT HELP SHE GETS + ALL THIS CHILSUPPORT. THIS WOMEN IS MAKING MONEY SHE HAS ALL THESE NEW CARS IS A NEGLENT MOM AND I AM STUCK WITH USED CARS, MY OWN 4 KIDDOS AND WIFE NOW. IF THEY SAY I DONT SEE THE CHILD ITS CUS I DONT WANT 2 CONFUSE THE KIDDO THAT WUD EMOCIALLY HARM THIS KIDDO WOMEN BECAUSE HE CALLS THE 2ND HUBBY DAD. SHE WAS A TYPE OF WOMEN THAT DIDNT LOVE HERSELF BECAUSE SHE WAS CHEATING ON HER HUBBY #1 AND ON THE 1ST KIDDO.RIGHT? SHE IS MAKING MONEY ITS MORE LIKE A GOLD DIGGER.THEY KNOW HOW IT WORKS ITS BUSINESS.SOME WOMEN JUST DONT DESERVE TO BE CALLED MOM. SO WHAT ABOUT THE KIDDOS? BECAUSE OF MOMS LIKE THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK BAD. NO OFFENSE TO ALL THE HARD WORKING MOTHERS.

Jul 16, 2011
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NEVER HAVE SEEN A DIME!
by: Anonymous

I see both sides of the comments written on this page. I am the Custodial parent of an 18 and 15 yr old. Court ordered child support and health insurance ($450.00 a month) when we divorced. Kids were 4yrs and 1 yr old at that time. HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE DIME FROM THE NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT!! I busted my butt to provide for my children, saved every penny, lived on mac-n-cheese and hotdogs for months, all three of us slept on a king mattress in a one bedroom apt when they were little, paid for daycare, afterschool care, school pictures, orchestra trips, choir trips, instrument rentals, doctor appts, medicine, health insurance, birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, clothes, haircuts,food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, money for field trips or going out to a movie or McD's with friends, personal hygiene needs (both male and female), helped with homework, TAKS tests, Science projects, ran them to school events, to friends' birthday parties (I even made sure to take them to visit the Non-Custodial grandparents, great-grandparents, aunt & uncle, cousins over two hours away at least 4 to 5 times a year) and gave them a stable, loving environment. I DID THAT BY MYSELF! Yes, it was hard, but I was the responsible one, they were my children, and there was never the thought of walking way like the Non-Custodial parent. As I watched my 18 yr old graduate from H.S., I felt so much pride knowing I had brought up a responsible young adult. The Non-Custodial parent will never be able to understand all the incredible moments they missed with two beautiful, intelligent children. Non-Custodial parent's biggest problem was that they refused to have to give up their money to the Ex-Spouse or the state and would only work for cash under the table. I could have used $100.00 dollars each month for extra milk, cereal and orange juice...maybe I could have shopped for school clothes at a regular store instead of GoodWill and Salvation Army store...or bought new tennis shoes for my child instead of taping them with electrical tape for a month because I had to make the choice of shoes or pay the electric bill. I get sick listening to people complaining about getting only $1200.00 a month in child support...and those other people who complain that they have to pay even the smallest amount of $200.00 a month to support their children. All I know is that your children are the one's that suffer in the short term...and in the long term, the non paying, Non-Custodial parent will have no relationship with their children.

Jul 01, 2011
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Quit Complaining!!!!
by: Phillip Allen

OK, I'm not scared to state my name. For everyone that says 20% isnt enuogh, GET A LIFE!!!!!! My child support is set at $1200 a month. Yes I make good money, but my figure was based on 100% gross income. SO, the judge didn't care that all my overtime the previous year was due to an explosion we had at the oil refinery I work at. I even had my supervisor subpoedaed, to testify on my behalf that the previous years overtime was un-natural due to a catostrophic event at my place of employment. The system SUCKS!!!! Point blank!!! Oh, and while you WOMEN are complaining, my ex wife lives with her parents, pays no rent, no child care, no car payment because they gave her a car, no utilities. So I ask you women that say you are gettin screwed over, Who's really getting screwed????? If you all can answer that one honestly, I will apologize with a formal letter on this website.

Jun 30, 2011
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come on now
by: FATHER

the comments from women on here are so false. yes if your a father and leaving you should pay that much. but what about the fathers like myself that supported his family for 6 years to where my wife didnt have to work and i did this working my ass off with two jobs. no i do not make a big sum of money i make $49,000 and i am the one that asked my wife to stay but she wants to leave. now 20% of my income along with all the other bills finanically binds me. also yes there are alot of bills for a child but why does the mother get a free ride when she has the child the most. thats your responsibility as well be an adult if you have the child the most you should also have to pay the most or give the child to the father. i would gladly take my son and pay for the majority and receive only a little child support because he is my son as well i shouldnt get a free ride from the mother as i would have my son the majority of the time. Or give the dad more then every other weekend and lower the support that way but no a dad can see their kids 6 days out of a month and the mother the rest and then women expect this big sum of money to help them that is completely unfair.

Jun 30, 2011
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Child Support Laws are to Archaic, Baised and Sexist
by: Anonymous

My ex-wife and I have two sons. I've been the primary caregiver for the past 10 yrs. We're both military, and have been separated since '02, divorced since '04. our sons have lived with me, 8 of the last 10, 5 of the last 7 and 3 of the last four years.

Now that my ex has met a fairly rich guy, been able to collect bonuses while serving oversees (relax..she was in a green (non-hostile) zone, she began baiting our 15 y/o with things we (me and my current wife)...we're both remarried and have families by the way. Anyway, we..didn't allow our 15 y/o to have a balckberry, his own laptop, and we weren't allowing him to do as he pleases (to include getting high with his cousin on more than 1 occassion. (yeah, his uncle supplies the weed)

Long story short, he decided he wanted to live with his mom...I agreed, though it killed me...but if that makes him happy, so be it. we went to court, in San Antonio, and the judge processed me through like i was a product on the shelf. $1200 amonth child support. No conisderation for the fact my ex hasn't been able to carry out her obligations since 2004. (our kids spent every other year with one of us) Forget, her character (best insterest of the children my @$$)

I provided pictures from her Facebook showing her drunk with her friends, provocative pictures too. Also, showed the pictures of her in military uniform, mocking deep throating a barrel of a Mark -19 Gun. (some role-model) Showed them the letters, our then 12 y/o son wrote to the judge a few years ago stating he wanted to libe with me, because its more of a family with me, we eat together, I've coached his sports since he was 4 y/o and his mother is constantly having guys over...

My lawyer tried to fight and ask consideration be given..due to the fact my ex-wife and husbands income is just about the same as mine and my wife's. That they live in a 2000 Sq ft home, 1 drives a 2010 Ford Expedition/the other a 2010 F-150 4X4. And that my ex and I had initially agreed on $800 a month..then she changed it to $1000, then $1300...all within a matter of 7 minutes.

NONE OF THIS MATTERED!!! Somebody tell me what judge would have taken the kids away from a mother who had raised kids for 8 of the last 10 years and 3 of the last 4 consecutively if the father wasn;t around?

This is BS! Society condemns fathers for not being active in thier kids' lives, belives our children need positive male role models...that boys need thier fathers to grow-up and be productive members of society...when in reality, is the court system says...when it comes to divorces and child-support, a father's worth to his kids is measured by his paycheck.

I need to write a book..there are too many Good, responsible, proven, loving, fathers out there who are held prisoner to an archaic and ignorant mindset. I guess juctice is blind, however, I can't help but notice...juctice is a woman too. go figure.

Jun 27, 2011
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stop crying
by: Anonymous

Yes the woman get?s 20 percent and the dad still gets 80 percent of his check, kids need a lot and should not lose out just because the dad left the home. The mother pays more then 20 percent. my checks all go to my kids living a good life, food, clothes, school, games, daycare, grow up and stop complaining if the shoe was on the other foot and your husband leaves you, would you tell him not to pay you a dime? And do you work and support the other kids in your home or do you just let the husband pay for you? Kids deserve child support and the man made that child not just the woman so for you to say she is the one that got pregnant and had the baby is retarded on your part. I have a three bedroom home with two kids, if I didn?t have kids I could have a 1 bedroom and pay less then half of what I pay for the three bedroom, do you look at that? There is a lot that has to be paid to raise a child.

Jun 27, 2011
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custodial parent
by: Anonymous

I am the mother/custodial parent. I receive child support on my nine year old son. The exact amount is $240 a month . Thats $140 in current child support and $100 in backpay. I think that amount is fair. I see the post from the lady that says it takes over $2,000 a month to raise two kids. You charge you kids for everything are they your roomates or your children. You charge think they should fingure in your rent because your kids live with you? Did your kids say that wanted to rent that house or purchase that van...no It was you. Its people like you that make it hard for the rest of us. I hope you really think about what you are saying. Your the adult but the rent for your kids is more. Are they driving your van?
Cell phone if you are crying about that ...why do you need it? When I split from my ex I made the choice for my kids to live with me. It is my responsibility to provide food and shelter for them when they are with me. Do You think about what it cost the non custodial parent to take care of the kids when they are with him. what about summer when most non cust. parents have the kids for the entire summer. You are STILL getting the money and yet the non custodial parent is still paying you and had to meet the expenses when the kids are with him. AND I bet you claim the kids on your income tax right? Thats money the non custodial parent does not get either. You really need to think about all of this before you start getting really greedy!

Jun 26, 2011
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EVERYBODY SHUT UP!!
by: Anonymous

A LOT OF YOU ARE SAYING "LOOK AT BOTH PARENTS!" WELL THE CUSTODIAL PARENT (WORKING OR NOT) HAS TO COOK, CLEAN, AND ATTEND TO THOSE CHILDREN. WHEN THAT CHILD HAS A BAD DAY AT SCHOOL THE CUSTODIAL PARENT IS THERE!!! WHEN THAT CHILD WAKES UP FROM A NIGHTMARE OR SICK, THE CUSTODIAL PARENT IS THERE! NOT TO MENTION IF THE CUSTODIAL PARENT WANTS FREE TIME OR A LIFE OF THEIR OWN FOR A MOMENT, THE CUSTODIAL PARENT HAS TO FIND CHILDCARE AND BE AT HOME BY A CERTAIN TIME OR PICK KIDS UP AT A CERTAIN TIME AND PAY EXTRA FOR THAT. THE NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT HAS TO DO NOTHING BUT PUT A CHECK IN THE MAIL IF THEY CHOOSE TO. YOU CAN PUT A PRICE ON BEING THE CUSTODIAL PARENT!!!!! STOP TRYING!! WOMEN, GET UP OFF YOU BUTTS AND HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS, DON'T DEPEND ON CHILD SUPPORT AND DON'T FOCUS ON WHAT HE DOING WITH ANOTHER WOMAN OR IF HE HAS OTHER CHILDREN, DO YOU!!!! MEN, IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE BEING ROBBED READ ABOVE OR IF YOU KNOW YOU ARE GETTING OVER IT WILL COME BACK AND BITE YOU!!!! I BELIEVE THERE IS AN AUTHORITY HIGHER THAN THE COURT SYSTEM. WELL WISHES TO EVERYONE.

Jun 24, 2011
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REALLY!!!
by: Anonymous

To The one that charges he children right ...I do not understand why you have your van payment, cell bill, house phone and few others on there. If you did not have your children you would still have to pay for those things. Let me guess your children use the house and the house phone more than you. I have my children with me, I mad that choice, I am not going to charge them for rent. I pay the bills because I made them NOT MY KIDS. I do not understand how a child needs brand new clothes every month. My children get new clothes 3 times a year . If they need something then yes I will buy it. People being greedy like that make it hard on the rest of us. IF YOU HAVE custody it is your duty to provide those things for them. ATLEAST thats what my court order says. I don't know about you , but I would much rather have my ex be in my childrens life than to have anger around my children over money. If you get a certain amount of money (according to the state ) thats the guideline you make due with what you get . Thats why they have a system in Place.

Jun 23, 2011
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Father hiding from paying Child support
by: Anonymous

Is a father still obligated to pay child support if there is no order. We were married and divorced and he informed me that I will never find him. He will leave the country before he is served with papers again. Well he hide from texas CS office for four years. We are going back to court to correct the order. Is there any back child support? Can he be ordered to pay?

Jun 20, 2011
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Mom's can be dead beats too
by: Anonymous

The fact that some people say 20% isn't enough shows they're biased on the topic. 20% of a 6 figure salary should be more than enough to support a child unless the custodial parent chooses to squander the money on themselves instead of the child. Im reading a lot on here about dead beat dads. Hate to break the news, but there are a lot of dead beat moms out there as well. Good luck to all and remember, the parent who would put thier hatred for another before the god given right of a child to be with thier father is truly the dead beat.

Jun 18, 2011
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The true math
by: Anonymous

I honestly don't know where these people have come up with this figure of only needing $150 max a month to support a child. If you really want to see how much a child costs, lets do the math, and I can assure you this is how the state looks at it. I have 2 kids.
If my...
Rent is $850= $566.67 kids share
Gas is $200= $133.33
Groceries $250 = $166.67
Lunch $50
Daycare $700
Natural Gas 66.25= $44.16
Electricity $200= $133.33
Cable/Internet/Housephone $130= $86.67
Cell $100= $66.67
Van Payment $460 = $306.67
Sports $450= $37.50 per month
Clothes $800= $66.67
Supplies $400= $33.33
School/Sport Pictures $300= $25
Grand Total to support 2 kids a month.. $2416.67
So 50/50 would be $1208.33

Unfair- If you have 1 child, you get 20%, but if you have 2, you only get 5% more. If the state views it as you needing 20% to raise 1 child, why is it you only need 5% to raise a second?

My ex husband, just this past month has signed away all visitation rights and hasn't seen or spoken to the children in 8 months. And before that, when he actually did see them, he provided nothing for them when they visited. I provided the clothes, food and gas money for him.

The courts view is, well he has to survive too. Well, he makes $80k a year because he works full time as a police officer and works side security for cash. He drives a brand new mustang. Lives in a nice apartment (for free bc he is a courtesy officer) and drives 150 miles one way 3 days a week to see his current girlfriend. Since he has no children to take care of, his only bills are car, insurance, cell, cable and electricity. Oh, and did I mention, his apartment is free because he is a courtesy officer for the complex. His bring home pay is more than my paycheck and child support check combined.

So tell me, how is the system set to screw the non-custodial parent???

And, if he has another kid, my child support goes down 2.5%

There is no such thing as fairness. And it's true, the AG's office does nothing for you. It takes months to even get them to receive the paperwork for anything.

Jun 18, 2011
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wow!
by: Anonymous

Original poster I honestly think you are jealous of his child. Come on now if you have kids you should know how much they costs I have a 2 yr old son and i know it aint cheap! In my opinion you are the ignorant one for complaining about 20% I know fathers who pay $700 a month so get real, and get the heck over your insecurities dont blame the mother or the child.

Jun 18, 2011
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child living with both parent
by: Anonymous

if both parent living togather she the mother still have rigths too put the father on chils support

Jun 07, 2011
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Get Real ladies!
by: Anonymous

Ok.....20% isn't enough. Point blank period. Everything should be split down the middle. If a man's 20% doesn't cut it than more should be taken out. Housing,food,child care, utilities,are all needed for child. Spilt it. Not to mention Dr. Bills! Your men started families because they no longer want to be with the women does not make them exempt to their prior obligations. If he's not supplying his half who should? Get real ladies. Imagine it were u,would u get on this site and say the same...no! Better be careful what he does to her he will do to u.

Jun 02, 2011
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20% more than fair
by: Anonymous

I can't believe some of these post complaining about 20%. There are always going to be mothers or fathers that do take advantage of the system. They stay poor so that they can live off well fare and child support. However; most cases really are not that way. Say you are paying $300 a month for one child. An average daycare is going to cost at least $100 a week, food is probably an average of $50 a week per kid, then there is clothing, and shoes. Plus people don't believe child support should include housing is silly too. Yes you have to have a house and bills, but having a child means an extra room and kids like taking baths which means bigger water bill. Having children is a two way street and if one parent is going to have that child a majority of the time and pay for everything for that child it is the least the other parent could do is put in their monitary compensation! There is always a reason that one parent received custody over another. If you are complaining about the money take them back to court and demand more time with the child and partial custody then it would be fair to lower the amount of child support.

Jun 01, 2011
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Look again
by: Anonymous

Wow!!! Looks like your husband has kids all over the place. Maybe you should have considered all of his responsibility BEFORE you married him. Oh, and by the way 20% is nothing for one child. Both parents have the responsibility to support the children and care for them. Obviously... your husband just likes to produce but not assume responsibility. This is why we have very stringent laws for child support. To do whats in the best interest of the children. I have been receiving child support for "our" four kids for the last 12 years and I thank God for this. It takes a lot of money to care for children. You better hope your marriage will last lady because you may have to request child support yourself if it doesn't. And, with all the support he obviously pays right now.. you will be in the 5 percentile range !!! Good luck to you.

May 26, 2011
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spiteful mothers
by: Anonymous

i agree a man shouldnt ahve to pay that much.. my husband is unfortunate he has more than one case of child support with different women,and one of the kids he has never seen..in one case he pays child support the mother also recieves disability for the child foodstamps and medicaid she dosent need all that.. i beleive that the state should not only look into the fathers income but also the mothers income.if the mother gets all this other assistance plus child support the father shouldnt have to pay as much.And just because you break up with your boyfriend dosent mean he must pay you..the state should get ligit reaSONS WHY and make sure the father isnt doing his duty as a father just because the mother is mad.

May 24, 2011
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Responsibilites of Both
by: Anonymous

This topic is an ongoing topic because everyone has an OPINION and honeslty every situation is Different.

1. When a couple decide to or concieves, BOTH are immediately RESPONSIBLE TO SUPPORT the Child FINANCIALY AND EMOTIONIALLY.

2. However, when things do not work out with the couple the dilemna and conflict starts. And although most conflicts may seem similair, I find they are not. Every situation is unique.

For Instance in my case, both my ex and I have totally different lifestyles. I've remarried to a very successful mand who chooses to support me my kids and my new child.

My ex unfortuanley, is not as successful and has gone down hill emotionally and financially. He has partnered with a woman who didn't even graduate high school. In addition, she has several children. But again, this is his choice and is apparently happy.

We have a legal agreement on childsupport, schools, medical care etc. His childsupport was decreased slighty and he no longer has to pay for medical care coverage. Yet, he still complains that he PAYS too much and that my husband should pay more because he married me with kids and he doesn't want me to work. Hence, he is with someone with about 4 - 5 kids by which none of the fathers pay a dime.

I honeslty can't figure it out. We used to lend him monies because he used to give the sob story of being demoted and was struggling financilly etc. Finally after I had my new baby, I decided to stop feeding into his stories. Finally, barely calls to speak with his children and makes minimal attempt to see them. And when he does speak with them it's hi and bye. You see sometimes I find that the non- custodial parent FORGETS how expensive it is to RAISE a CHILD. Money makes people ANGRY when it's taken away. But, reality is YOUR children didn't ask to be born YOU brought them in the world. EVERY parent should be LIVING for THEIR CHILDREN finacially and EMOTIONALLY!!!! Stop complaining about money and start complaing about not GIVING enough financially and emotionally and pray your children will NOT make the same mistakes you have and have a more successful life than you have had!!

May 21, 2011
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messed up
by: Anonymous

The child support system attacks the non custodial parents almost 98% of the time. It takes 2 people to make a baby, it should take 2 people to support the child. I know there are some custodial parents that ask for money for the child for rent and alectricity and I think that is just bs. You have to pay rent and electricity regardless. How much electricity could a child use if they go to school 8 hours a day come home and play outside and then go sleep. **Here is another issue some non custodial parents get the kids for summer while they have the kids the custodial parent is still getting the child support payments and the child is not even with them. My husband pays his child support an has never missed a payment and we have custody of the child right now and have had her since march , but the attorney general will not stop the child support. ITS ALL SCREWED UP!

May 20, 2011
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i agree its unfair
by: Anonymous

Im a 17 year old father with a 19 month son and i have been paying $200 dollars a month in child support since december of 2010. Since that time my baby mama has made a down payment on a car, gotten 3 tattoos and is currently on a 4 day trip to San Antonio with my son. I myself make on average $220 a month and cant afford insurance let alone gas for a car. tell me how that is fair? I go to school 5 days a week from 8:45 to 4:00 and then go to work at my minimum wage job from 6 to 10. I'm struggling to progress as an adult and its not what i deserve, i mean i only see my son once on saturday from 10 am to 5 pm...things need to change.

May 19, 2011
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HE IS NOT SO SMART
by: Elizabeth

His girlfriend carried his child both hence both parties are responsible for the child. He should have thought about his responsibilities as a father before he decided to bare children with his ex girlfriend. (not so smart). By saying that her school was paid by the state, well anyone living in the rural areas, that decide to commit to school will receive some type of financial assistance .It seems she was smart to go back, and not wait around for the father to take any control. Given that she is the custodial parent she will continue to receive his 20% of his monthly income to support that child till the age of 18. It has nothing to do with smarts! It has to do with the responsibility to the child!

May 18, 2011
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i agree!
by: Danika Madrid

I agree with you! A woman should only get 20% if she was once married and had the kids inside the marriage. Too many whores that run around spreading their legs are getting an unfair amount of money from the hardworking man who in my opinion, shouldn't have to pay that much so whore can get her hair and nails done. lol to all the lazy whores who had children outside of a marriage.

May 01, 2011
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Ignorance is not bliss
by: Anonymous

I don't know what your deal is original poster but the whole "stand by your man" approach is why there are so many dead beat dads. You said she should have been smarter because the woman is the one who gets pregnant? They both should have been smart because the man is the one who gets a woman pregnant! She couldn't do it without him. Next, are you really placing a value on the Childs life based on whether or not the parents were married? ALL children deserve the same no matter how they get here which means that if some of his kids have nice things and a nice home then ALL of them need that. Furthermore, if you're going to go all moral on us about waiting until marriage then stay moral and look it up in the Bible about men supporting their families. That child is still his family, and like it or not he still has an obligation to his ex because he made a child with her. Don't try to figure out the Childs needs. There are the basic monthly needs but there are also the needs that just come up like clothing, school project materials, presents, birthday parties etc. All of these things still need to be paid for, who pays for those if mom can barely pay for daycare? Also, mom needs to be able to provide a home in a suitable location for the child or would you rather they live in a dangerous place?
I'm happy it's 20 percent and just so you know, it's not another mans job to support someone elses child so no, child. So no, the support order should not go down. So tell your man to be a man, quit complaining, quit trying to pawn his responsibility off on someone else (pathetic) and pay up. He's the NCP so he should have been smarter and not gotten her pregnant, everyone knows that if you dont stay together child support is owed. ALL children deserve the same care. You should be ashamed of yourself for this post.

Apr 23, 2011
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curious
by: Anonymous

I WAS WONDERING WHERE YOU PEOPLE GET YOUR FIGURES ON HOW MUCH IT TAKES TO RAISE KIDS THESE DAYS? I AM A MOTHER OF A 4 YEAR OLD AND MY HUSBAND AND I FIGURED ABOUT HOW MUCH IT TAKES TO TAKE CARE OF HIM EACH MONTH...IT'S ABOUT $100-150.00 NO MORE UNLESS I AM ASKING FOR MY CELL PHONE BILL AND ALL OTHER BILLS TO BE PAID , BUT I AM A GROWN WOMAN AND I HAVE MADE THOSE BILLS SO THEY ARE FOR ME TO PAY NOT CHILD SUPPORT. MY FRIEND HAS AN 8 YEAR OLD SON AND 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER I ASKED HER HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CARE FOR THEM EACH MONTH SHE SAID UNLESS THEY NEED A WHOLE NEW WARDROBE EACH MONTH AND A TOY BOX FULL OF TOYS THEN ALL IT TAKES IS ABOUT $100-150 . ??????

Apr 23, 2011
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both sides
by: bothsides

I dont know who you are calling step monster but i love my step daughter like one of my own kids, i dont treat her any different than the my other kids. If you read what i wrote i never said anything bad about my step daughter. She is a really good kid that is lacking the love her real mom is suppose to give her, she is just too busy making sure the sex offenders needs are met before her own child. This child should have nice things ...well even the best that the child support can buy. Every dime i get for my son goes to some expense that is for my son. He ALWAYS gets something from his cs. And believe he doesnt get hardly anything. But i am grateful for what he does get, the rest i can handle on my own. I am not hard up for his money after all i have taken care of my son for 8 years on my own. I hate having the ag invovled they seem to complicate things even more and make it all bitter.

Apr 22, 2011
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Real Dead Beat Dad
by: Ann

How is it that a father who has never paid a dime of court ordered child support(1957) in the amount of $10.00 per week for 2 kid and who was never been involved in our lives. can inherit 1/2 of my deceased sister estate. Only because we could not find a will it burnt in the house fire in which she died.
Now he want to be her father and claim something he don't deserve.
Someone PLEASE tell me how

Apr 20, 2011
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texas oag needs change
by: Anonymous

Ok so we recently got temporary custody of my step daughter and her mother is in jail and has been since the begining of March and will be until the end of Jne or later. We called the AG and explained the situation and they said they will NOT drop the cs until the 6 month. My step daughter is living with us and we are providing for her and still being forced to make payments to her mom. That way the money stacks up and when she comes out she can hire a lawyer and fight for custody. WOW! I dont get it.
*** How many of the cp on here charge their kids rent and electricity?
We have had my step daughter here for over a month and had to enroll her in school.( new school clothes supplies and shoes plus money for lunch) and that is not near the amount of child support my husband has to pay. Something has to change.

Apr 19, 2011
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Your Wrong
by: Anonymous

You are a very ignorant woman. I hope your step-child finds out that you have put a price on his welfare. You knew he had a responsibility to another woman because of their child. So you should have thought about that before you chose to be with this man. You have issues lady. You have no idea what it takes to raise a child nowdays. You should be ashamed of yourself. What if you ended up in the same situation. Try putting yourself in another's shoes sometimes. But you sound very closed-minded and probably are not capable of doing such a thing.

Apr 18, 2011
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Split custody/ Joint
by: Anonymous

I noticed that no one comented on a case where both parents have custody of one of there children. I have three children wich I support monetarily and emotionally im always there. and I pay 20%. My wife pays nothing but I want nothing from her either. My oldest came to live with me this past year thought "ok the AG will split everything closer to the middle" she has 2 and I now have 1. You would think this is the way it would go but NO I still pay her the same amount and plus the full insurance for all three. Still on my shoulders I dont mind that. What I do mind is when my son comes to me to get a haircut and I have to tell him it will have to wait until next payday because I cannot afford it this 2 weeks.
Oh did I mention she has gotten married again and they have decided tho buy a house... My son has noticed this along with the other 2 children.
I have never spoke ill of their mother no will I but I'm almost to my breaking point. when I went to get a part time job. "Yes I tried to do it sneaky" just to give my son and I alittle spending money to enjoy ourselves for a weekend or be able to do as she has done and take the kids to a theme park for a weekend. but guess what AG found out about it and all i'd sved for that much was taken to give to her. My guess is that it was the down payment for their new house! Where is the justice in this she had a part time job and did the AG say ohh she made more this month you dont have to pay? Hell no they didnt.
by the way we both make the same a month but she works for the state??????

Apr 18, 2011
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My thoughts...
by: Anonymous

So... I get both sides, however... 20% is the law. Also, not all dads get paid a lot. If I were to take my daughter's father to court then I would get $88 per week. That does not even cover half of her daycare. I do not receive any assitance and yet I support her 100%. I am not complaining and would do anything for my baby. I just think some ppl need to realize 20% does not = a lot of money in all cases. I do not receive any money from him because in my opinion $88 per week is not worth it when I can do it all on my own. No I do not have a nice house, I live in an apt, no I do not have a nice car, I have an '02 Kia. But my daughter is happy and that is what is most important. Who cares if I get my nails and hair done or have designer clothes. We are dressed and have eachothers love and he his in her life still, even with no payments received by him because money should not be what's important when caring for and raising a child.

Apr 12, 2011
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YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED STEPMOSTER
by: Anonymous

YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED STEPMOSTER

YOU ARE TRUELY AN UNCARING, NONNUTURING WOMAN. BIRTH CONTROL IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BOTH. SHE DIDN'T GET PREGNANT WITHOUT YOUR HUSBAND'S HELP. HE COULD HAVE WORN A CONDOM. HE PARTICIPATED WILLING IN THE ACT OF CONCEPTION. NOW IT IS TIME TO MAN-UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILTY. STOP WHINING ALREADY. I AM ASHAMED TO BE PART OF THE SAME FEMALE GENDER AS YOU. YOU DEFINITELY GIVE NEW MEANING TO THE WORD STEPMOSTER.

Mar 30, 2011
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I agree
by: Anonymous

I agree with 20% being enough money for child support. I get 172.00 a month when my daughters father feels like paying it. He gets paid under the table so he pays whatever he feels like paying when he feels like paying it all I want is that little bit of money he wont even pay that. So I agree lights,water,gas,car all are necessities everyone needs and I pay for it all. 20% is good but I doubt I will ever get the right amount of money because my daughters father is a sorry sack of shit. Cars more for his cigarettes and pleasing his new wife than he does to help his own flesh and blood. So I have given up on the system to help me I just pay for everything for my daughter myself.

Mar 29, 2011
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to no one known!
by: Anonymous

No price can be put on a child! But since it has to be done 20% is almost fair. 9-10 the father is not going to be there for emotional support for the children. Guess what the woman has to take care of everything else. What bout the parent that does not get any assistance at all!It is Not the wonans resposibility alone!

Mar 28, 2011
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Both Sides
by: Anonymous

BOTH sides are going to never agree so its pointless to argue about that. BUT now I will say that Texas should be like alot of other states and put other factors into account when deciding on the amount of child support that needs to be paid. Such as all the expenses of the child food, clothes, school, etc. and also what the mother makes as well. Bc why would they base it off only the fathers when it should be 50/50. I'm sorry but I have 2 children of my own and their father has a son from a previous woman and pays $650/MO which is 7yrs old she doesnt have child care expenses bc my husbands mother has watched him since he was born this included picking up from school and feeding him. I being the mother of 2 know it doesnt cost $650 from both parents to care for 1 child ($1300/MO) unless the kid needs gucci & prada!!REMEMBER their responsibility is the child not the mothers bills or nails. The mother gets off not really having to pay anything. Because child or no child the mother still needs a roof over her head just like the father. Do we charge her child support for when he stays at our house to put a roof over his head NO. Seeing now how the CP works if something ever happended & we divorced I would work an arrangement out (what I know is reasonable) rather than letting someone else decide for us. Alot of woman are greedy & alot of men are too cheap

Mar 25, 2011
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child support system needs help
by: both sides

I am on both sides of the child support. My ex owes me child support about 18,000. I don't push it because i know that the ag wont help much . However my husband has joint custody of his 6 year old daughter and he pays a lot in child support. Well this child never has anything to show for it. The mother does not have a job, she says she wants to be a stay at home mom however the child goes to school from 7:30 am til 3:00 pm and then gets on the bus for another hour. The child is always complaining that they have no food in the house. Remember the mother does not work but yet she always has her nails done and has new name brand clothes. Also she recently got a tatoo covering her arm. But yet she does not have any income. Everytime we pick up the child she is wearing the exact same shirt and jeans and shoes with holes. So we take her and buy her new clothes and shoes 2 times and make the mistake of sending them back with her and the mother cuts one pair of shoes up and takes the other pair apart and misplaces her new clothes. We have asked her mother to send her clothes when she comes and then when we take the child back the mother accuses us of stealing her clothes and tries to get us on contempt actions. So thats why we no longer ask her to send her things. Now the mother just married a sex offender she met 4 months ago, and this child is stuck living with him. The child comes and tells us her mom is always buying this man clothes and gifts ...keep in mind the mother does not work. so you tell me where is she getting the money to buy all these things but yet the child has nothing to show for it.

Mar 22, 2011
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Texas Child Support
by: Anonymous

I would like to know what liberal wrote the child support laws.Talk about a scam,When my ex and i seperated i was giving her house rent and food money.I did this by western union just so i could have proof i gave her money.The day in court came and guess what,the judge said that was extra money out of the kindness of my heart.I had to pay the state back because she was drawing food stamps at the same time i was giving her money.What a joke!!.Now on top of the 20% but i think its more, theres insurance.This is fine but most places you will pay half again your support for this.Then theres any bonus checks you might get from work,they take half!,you pay her taxes along with yours.Why dont they give her her share and make her pay her taxes on it.Living tax free on your sweat and blood.So they take and all extras are paid by the man.Funny how they dont figure all that into your payments.Whats even more hillarious is the judge says YOU THE MAN!! messed up her life by getting her preagnant,well i say it takes two to tango baby!.Then when you see that all those bonuses and tax chks they take you dont get credit for,all you get when you call them is attitude,and LORD help you if you get a woman on the line,because all you are then is a piece of s--t!.Then theres the so called interest on the back support if you are unfortunate enough to fall behind for reasons,either out of your control or not.It is higher than the IRS and exactly who gets this interest anyway,THE WOMAN?.Shouldn't all the extra that the MAN pays such as the taxes cover this???.I know a guy ,believe it or not gets support. Or he is supposed to because his ex is a dope head.But do you think theres equal justice here for the woman? Hell no they tell him they cant find her.Do you think they tell a woman that about a man??. NO they say how much and how often " YOU POOR LITTLE MIS-TREATED THING".SCAM I THINK SO!!!!

Mar 21, 2011
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Child's Misfortune
by: Anonymous

Most Child support laws (all states) miss 1 very important thing and that's the child's future. I'm nearing the end as my child is now 18 and graduates this June.

However, out of the $900 a month I've been paying for one child who has gone to public(FREE) school her entire life, her mother has saved not one penny of it for her future. Obviously, I couldn't afford it as I'm not rich, wealthy or even what you would consider well-to-do, just a hard working man.

I've asked her over the years to put some of it away but she laughed and yelled and continued to pay her car notes & cell phone bills while my daughter had to call me and embarrisingly ask to buy her underwear because the one's she had holes in them. I eventually had to get her a pre-paid credit card so she could get her monthly needs.

When she found out I was doing this for my daughter, she felt I could pay more because I was giving my daughter money on the side. She took me back to court, but found that I was already paying the MAX. It's called budgeting and living within your means.

The bottom line here is the Child Support rarely goes towards true support of the child. I know it and my daughter now knows this. Every state needs to enforce a law that if your child isn't in a Private School, then a portion of that money needs to go into a college fund.

I bought her clothes for school every year. I bought her school supplies. I gave her an allowance seperate from child support. I've paid almost $200,000 in child support in the last 18yrs and there isn't 1 cent saved for college. Tell me what's wrong with this picture! Simply a lack of discipline to recognize real need from needless wants and desires!!

Mar 21, 2011
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Listen to Yourself
by: Anonymous

After reading this post I truly wonder where you got your education. First off, the idea that the woman is mostly responsible for getting pregnant herself...well honey did you take sex ed? No doubt both parties made mistakes. On top of that 20% is chump change when it comes to children. My own child is five, has never even met his father, and I have never seen a dime. If I felt like pushing the issue I would have over $50,000 in back child support. But the honesty of the situation is that the custodial parent isn't just giving up money, but time, emotional interest, and their lifestyle in general to support a child. I understand that some mothers can be rude and seem like they are greedy and needy, but guess what? The average cost of child care these days for a 2-5 year old is around $500 a month. That doesn't include diapers, food, clothes, and the like. Maybe before you judge her and the money she is receiving you should question what you would feel entitled to if you were in her position. And why you think he should keep that money...to help support you? A grown woman?

Mar 16, 2011
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its intresting
by: Anonymous

I have read some of the posts and I am hearing a lot about misiing fathers and how they are being taken for child suport. What about me. I was a single dad. Both my children had lived with me for a year and a half. I got no money from there mother because she said her criminal record was to bad and she couldn't work. I had a $65,000 a year that I lost because of company layoffs. I couldn't get back on my feet in time and I had to send them back to live with her. I'm not allowed to see them at all. That's been a year ago and now she is fileing child support on me. Where is the justice for me. I'm being treated like a dead beat and I have been in there life the whole time they have been alive. She steal isn't working and I'm being treated by the state as a dead beat. I don't mind paying for them. I never have, but why do I have to be treated as a idiot and a peice of crap for things happening out of my control!!!!!!

Feb 28, 2011
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womans perspective
by: Anonymous

Since I spread my legs at least 3 times during my marriage I suppose I should have to pay up for my kids and not complain that my ex was ordered to pay 1345 a month in child support. lol Funny isn't it.

My ex and I were married for 13 years. We had a great life with 3 boys. We both agreed I would stay home until all of our boys were in school.

Some time into our marriage my ex became addicted to prescription medication which turned to stronger addictions and even cheating.

He left my boys and me in our home and ran off, let the electricity bill go, cancelled the insurance on the vehicles and hadn't paid my car note in over 2 months.

My mother loaned my 10k for a lawyer because my oldest son let me know that my ex was drinking and driving with my children during visitations. The judge said that my ex husband had never been in trouble with the law, had a long time high paying job and it seemed a good thing and in the best interest of the children to grant him joint custody.

Well, 4 months after i filed for divorce my ex was arrested for dui and felony evading. 2 months after that and on fathers day of all days, during one of his visitations, he drove high on whatever, with my middle son in the vehicle. 102 mph!!!!!

He was sentenced on all 3 charges and has served a total of 8 months in jail. Upon his release he jumped state and has now been out 2 months. No child support and owes me over 12k in back support. I'm the parent offering him supervised visits and begging him to see his children and to get a job, any job, and I will work with him on modifying the support for the short term.

The ag's office is no help and tells me to wait for the entire 90 days before they decide to take action. I fully support my boys. i do without anything and everything for them and you can bet your last dollar that every dime of child support ever received was to benefit my children.

Key things to remember: the ag's office only takes income tax if you were behind in payments. If you fall behind its like any other bill collector, communication is key. Man up, stop bitching and call them and your ex and try to work out something amicably. Something is better than nothing.

I read many of you calling us women whores and money grubbers.... Speak for yourselves because even though my ex husband is a loser and a dead beat I have yet to call any of the men posting losers or dead beats and many of you admitted the ag is taking your tax return, which means you were behind:{

Btw, my ex made 90k a year on books plus his truck allowance paid through his employer of 900/month wasn't considered income and not to mention he made over 500 a week in side money. He wasn't hurting from what little he was paying me! Men, if you can't afford to feed yourselves on what you make after paying for your kids get another job. You all keep saying the women should. Also, I've been working, no government assistance what so ever and have my own place and car.

Feb 17, 2011
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Unfair for great fathers
by: Anonymous

Ok here's my opinion I completely agree with 25 percent child support when the father is absent from the Childs life but in my case my husband has two kids from a previous marriage and pays her $1000 a month plus insurance and keeps the children 50% of the time. The mother won't buy them clothes, haircuts, shoes etc and the mere 50% of the time she has them she dumps them to spend the night at friends houses so she can go out. The mother doesn't even have to worry about after school care because my husbands parents pick them up from school and keep them til she's out of work. Did I mention she has moved 11 times in less than three years and has lived with 2 different men. So 8 months ago we served her with papers for full custody so naturally she has stopped dumping them with other ppl and has continued to stay in her latest rental home and has started to use some of the cp to pay for haircuts and clothing. She is manipulating and bribing the older 14 yr old child to get him to say he wants to live with her so she has a better chance of not losing child support oh did I mention she also wants $1400 a month now too. As soon as our case is over she will go right back to being the greedy whore she is and in the end it's only going to emotionally destroy the children because they will see it was All an act for court. If a man wants his children at least half the time as the mother then why should he have to support her household no one helps us upkeep our expenses when they are with us the same amount of time as her. Pray for us that we get a victory.

Feb 07, 2011
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Texas Child Support a SCAM!
by: Anonymous

Yes, I believe it is a big SCAM! I paid all of my child support. My ex hired a private agency who accepted my payment after giving me a verification letter I was paid up. I also received a letter and a motion in court that I did not owe any child support. Now my ex's former live in companion attorney is suing me for more child support stating the attorney generals and agencies figures were all wrong!! I have been fired from two jobs for this, my wages and bank accounts taken, filed for bankruptcy. Now my wife's wages and bank account were taken. My two children are in their 30's. It will never end. You CANNOT ever pay this off - debtor's prison if you owe or not! I even have a satisfaction of judgement (recorded in court) that I do not owe! Now half of my social security it taken! BIG SCAM!!

Feb 05, 2011
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The Deed Is Done
by: Anonymous

Ladies & gentlemen when we make a decision to get involved w/ a person (unmarried) that produces children most times there's backlash. As a single parent,I feel 20%(monies)is a drop in the bucket. I am professional w/ a college degree, I have no trouble providing financially. I challege the absent parent to surrender 20% of their time, energy and emotions. Homework,wash clothes,cook dinner, parent confrence, soccer practice then come talk to me. Nurture, train and teach life's lessons daily. Money is necessary but so are other aspects of life. Can I get 20% on that?

Feb 01, 2011
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The child support laws are unfair
by: Anonymous

I do, honestly, agree the child support laws are unfair. I pay 20% of my income plus medical insurance. The court does not take into account if you already had student loans from college, vehicle expenses, mortagage, etc. You are just expected to pay no matter what. Now, also, with my job, there is a mandatory 6% pension that is also taken out. After pension, taxes, and child support, I received 50% of my paycheck to pay bills. My ex-wife's salary is almost the equivalent of mine. She complains that she never has enough money for daycare, etc. I personally know that she eats out very often, gets manicures and pedicures, etc. With this, I have to have enough money to support my son twice - when he is with her and and when he stay with me. It does appear that if he lived with me, I would have more than enough to support my son. You mothers that say 20% is not enough, what are you spending it on? Budgeting is key. 20$ is more than enough for clothes and daycare.

Jan 29, 2011
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The Unbalance Of The Child Support Order
by: Anonymous

Thankfully, I have never been behind in paying child support. I did relocate to another state though. I lost all contact with the child. I called the OAG and was told to "get a lawyer". Now, had I not paid my obligation, the OAG would have come after me. My contention was they should have gone after the mom to enforce and uphold the visitation, contact numbers, etc. It works both ways. child support means much more than money, especially if the non custodial parent is a worthwhile and upstanding person. The child is being "robbed" of the opportunity to be a balanced individual.

Jan 27, 2011
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were married and my husband has to pay child support
by: Anonymous

yes we just got a letter saying that i applied for child support for my husband and were liveing toghter hes trying to get in the local p.d but no is scared that when he does their going to arrest him cause of the child support we have not filed out any papers i am 7m pregnet what do we do

Jan 26, 2011
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Laws for the Rich
by: Anonymous

Friends hear me out, I'm a dad, I have three kids the oldest belongs to her first husband, he came to me at 8mo I'm the only dad he knows, the middle is mine for sure, the youngest I have yet to ask for DNA, but she says he's not mine then says he is,she refused to give me custody simply for child support, she has another daughter from a different man as well, I was there from the start we never married but I stayed for 8 long and abusive years the reason I left the household is she went to this other man I was faithful the whole time and she wasn't, her first husband is on child support for the oldest I am on for the two middle and for some reason she refuses to put the youngest girls dad on child support, I started paying as soon as the paperwork was finished and it comes from my check automatically plus I don't get income tax, the thing is she doesn't work she get government assistance and I have to pay for her cheating ways, do date I live about 8-10 hours away according to what I understand for visitation we are supposed to meet halfway for distance over 100miles every first,third,and fifth weekend. I don't get to see my kids and she calls and leaves a number but when I call the number it never works always disconnected, I'm not saying I shouldn't pay cause I am a dad I love my babies...but there should be some sort of penalty or something for infidelity that caused this child support situation...also just cause I'm the "non-custodial" doesn't make me the bad guy OAG OK I don't appreciate the rude manner in which your representatives and you online representatives address the non-custodial, bend over backwards with hearts and butterflies for the victims who get free moneys- oh you forgot your password click here to get it...were as if your the man or woman trying to get answers the non-custodial- oh you forgot your member ID to bad burn in hell and you gotta wait three weeks for us to mail it to you if we remember or feel like it. some of us want our children to succeed some of us hurt for the lives we had no chose but to leave them in.

Jan 13, 2011
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Dad's have no rights
by: Anonymous

I hate it when the mother says...well i have the child everyday and it gets expensive. The dad has no choice, he couldn't get the child if he wanted to. Most of the times the mother doesn't work and I know people who simply have babies as an income. Why should the dad pay 20% to the mother? He only has the child 4 -6 days out of the month. Many women work multiple jobs to take care of their children. Also, if the dad gets a better job, he has to pay more. He is punished for bettering himself. And if your response is that he should pay more because its for his children, maybe he doesn't want to give it to them. I know when my dad made more money, it wasn't his #1 priority to buy us better things. Kids don't need name brand and fancy things, thats whats wrong with society in the first place. Food, clothing, and shelter is all that is needed and a person needs that with or without a child.

Jan 12, 2011
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i agree with some of u!
by: Anonymous

i have to say that i agree with what some of you are saying, i have a 14 year old his "dad" really doesn't have anything to say to him. He doesn't call on the holidays,on birthdays nothing.yes, this does upset me but i try not to let my son know that i am upset. this man usually runs from child support by moving and not reporting where he is. i usually have to track him down in order to get any support. i look at the support as a means of paying my son back for all those things he real dad isn't. I don't lie to my son when he asks questions, i just answer the questions to the best of my ability. It just so happens that this man just got custody of his nephew, and now says that's more important to him having a relationship with his nephew than his own son. i don't bring alot of money, but i do the best that i can. the support does help when my son needs extra things for school...like things at the last minute. the problem is getting those payments. i do think the oag could get up and do more, we do pay their salaries!

Jan 12, 2011
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Texas Child Support
by: Anonymous

So should a father get reprimanded for having two jobs for the mean while, worried for my famlies new home that was just purchased about a year ago, trying to get ahead and stay ahead of the money situation, especially in these difficult economic times . My second job was easy enough for me to be home and tend with my son alot of the time. And for the other half to find another guy during the time and be able to get twenty percent of both of my jobs and overtime I was making, and to move in shortly with him and have another guy raise my son. It's good the courts gave me half and half on the living situation but not money wise. Now my other job has decresed by half because of a lose and she is reaping the benefits. I always want whats best for my son and would like the equations to be a little more fair, especially since this is his last yr of daycare and that will be an extra $430 she will save. And I pay his entire health insurance. Which is ok. It's like she has a kid but doens't have to incur. Now to decrease child supprot is like 2,000... Stuck, any suggestions?

Jan 10, 2011
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Stop Whining
by: Anonymous

Guess what all you pain in the butt whiners? Outside circumstances ( i.e. remarriage or a custodial parent's better income) should not affect the amount of child support paid. The child support that is paid is for your child. If you feel that it is not being used for the benefit of your child, contact CPS, if you feel that your child is in that bad of a situation. Everyone needs to omit their feelings towards the other parent and focus on their child. It's basic - grow the hell up and put your child first, and your feelings ( anger, guilt, jealousy) second.

Jan 05, 2011
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Response to Ms. No One Known
by: Kimberly C

Ms. No One Known, you really sound ridiculous. it's sad that there are women like you. I bet you also believe that when a woman gets raped it's her fault too, if she was out late or wore shorts and a halter. NO it is not more of a woman's responsibility to avoid getting pregnant, why didn'nt your man jimmy up? And if this was your daughter that got pregnant you would not feel this way nor is it this woman's husbands responsibility to take care of another man's child. The only reason you feel this way is because your husband must not make a lot of money and you guys are feelig it and I bet you all have kids together and it's tough right? well he should have thought about that before screwing around without protection. But you really need to check yourself, because if the mother of his child had to pay him child support you would not be feeling the same way, you would take it and run. So a word to the wise teach your boys to not have sex before marriage, oh but that's still not a guarentee that they still will not have to pay child support the way people now days get divorced. Watch yourself, you may become your husband's child's mothers best friend, fighting to get a piece of that small check he makes. And his new wife will be sounding as ridiculous as you.

Dec 28, 2010
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a father that pays child support
by: Anonymous

20% is alot of money to pay for a child! its like the law/childs mother thinks the mans childsupport should cover all expenses and thats not right. it took both parents to make a baby and it takes both parents to take care of the child! that means the mother needs to get a job as well and help support the child. plus how is it that the father pays 20% plus medical, and only see the child less the half the time, but the mother gets the income tax, wic, Medicaid and help from the state and the fathers that pay get wrote off as if we arent taking care of our kids. tx childsupprt needs to be change but its not going to happen alone. FATHERS we need to step up and fight for this, if the shoe was on the other foot, you better believe the mothers would all be down at the courts protesting to get it changed.

Dec 24, 2010
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no where but texas
by: Anonymous

i`ll get to the point.the child support system,lawyers judges,c.p`s are nothing but proud COWARDS.none c.p`s dont know c/s laws and you will get screwed.they will bend &break the laws that congress has put into law for our protection but since we n.c.p`s. dont know the laws we cant protect ourselfs from these COWARDS. and if you cant afford a good atty.,your court appt. atty.is the same as having no representation.all these COWARDS are all one big happy family.the best intrest of the child is bull shit! its in the best interest of the cus.parent,especially if its a county employee. beware if the custodiol parent is employed through the county & works @ the co.courthouse.its who you know.you are hung high before your court date.and who pays the ultimate price? the child.the child has to endure all the scum the mother has to offer.yet these COWARDS dont realize one day the UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE will have their day in court with these COWARDS and for sure on judgement day when these COWARDS stand before our Lord and have to answer up for their UNGODLY actions.so dont stress over it.these COWARDS will one day stress over their actions.they think that no one will ever speak up agaisnt them.( educated ignorance).one word of advice,go to your nearest law library and educate yourself on texas family law/child support.there isn`t such a thing as justice in our child support courts.i`m ashamed to be a texan,but proud to have served in the UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. OVER&OUT

Dec 15, 2010
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LAWS IN TEXAS !^%$#@
by: Anonymous

THE LAWS IN TEXAS ARE SOMETHING ELSE DO THEY NOT SEE HOW MOST NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT THAT DO PAY CANT AFFORD TO LIVE ON WHAT THEY END UP BRING HOME!!! COME ON WHO CAN CHANGE THIS? WHY HASNT IT HAPPENED YET? JUST LIKE THE PEOPLE ON WLFARE HOW COME THEY DONT GET DRUG TESTED REGULARLY LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE WHO DO WORK! WAY TO GO TEXAS GO AHEAD AND LET THESE PEOPLE POP OUT KIDS SOO THEY CAN LIVE OFF THERE CHILD SUPPORT AND THERE FOOD STAMPS WHILE THE TAX PAYERS AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT WORK THERE ASSSES OFF!!!!!!!!!! SORRY BUT WILFARE SHOULD BE FOR THE ELDERLY, DISABLED, AND FOR FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN LAID OFF FROM THEIR JOBS. NOT THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE WILL ENOUGH TO POP OUT KIDS BUT TO LAZY TO EARN A PAYCHECK.DOESNT ANYONE THINK IT SHOULD BE MORE REGULATION AND RESTIRCTION ON THE RECIEVERS OF CHILD SUPPORT AND WELFARE.

Dec 14, 2010
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20% is not enough to take care of a child
by: Contenna

For the person that says that 20% of a man income is to much to give to a women for a child, what kind of women are you, it cost almost 600 a month for a infant child to go daycare, not to add diapers, cloths bottles and everything else a baby needs for the month, 20% is half of what a women has to do for a child just because a women does not wait until she gets married to have a baby does not make it right for a man not to pay what the states says, and a man need to make sure hr picks the right person to have a baby with, just because a person gets married should not make her child support go down, so if the man get married should his child support go up since its more income coming in the house, a real women would know it takes more than 20% of a man income to take care of a child.

Dec 11, 2010
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this is how you fix the whole problem
by: wanda

I have an answer that would work for most of you. I have a daughter and her father and I were never married. I made sure he was of good character before having sex with him. We have never stood before a judge to get a child support order. In the beginning he only paid day care and I took care of everything else. He still did other stuff as well. He said this is his child and he will not let another man or entity take care of his daughter. But enough of that. The fix is this. No more child support and opt for joint custody and split the cost of health insurance and medical bills. Each parent has their own stuff and if you agree on the clothes and you want the child to wear those clothes when it?s your week or month to have them have the parent who purchased them provide the receipt and give them half of the money. I have a friend who has this arrangement and it?s fantastic. The child has access to both parents and will learn of both cultures. No one is arguing about money. They alternate weekends and attend plays and ballets for their daughter. Each person is dating and no one has to say you can?t pay your child support because you're spending it on some b-tch or son of a b-tch. (Excuse the profanity)I guess if you live farther than 50 miles away you will have to be creative but it can be done. I look at it this way. Everyone should live within their means. If I was one of the women who couldn?t get child support I would not count it in my budget. I would have to get a job and live wherever my money could allow me to live. I would do whatever it took to make sure my child got whatever it took to make them happy and healthy. Would I get an attorney, hell YES!! But whining about what can?t readily fix it useless. Would I be angry at him, HELL YES? Would I damage the image of my child?s father, NO! Children who mature happy and healthy will see it for themselves you don?t have to point it out. Good luck and stop fighting about money. Joint custody will work for some of you, do it!!!

Nov 29, 2010
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Child Support pfft
by: Kose

You know I paid for 8 years ($485)) and missed 3, when I was fired, and my ex was able to get me sentenced to 90 days. All because she wants me to be as miserable as her. If you get the kids you get all the financial responsibility. I went back to school and I get unemployment and I could still support my two kids with that money and I wouldn't ask her for a penny. And she could still see our kids whenever, but her, HELL NO. She finally graduated and makes decent money but hasn't let go of me I guess. To top it off she ranoff with her BEST friends husband and started a new life with him, this sadly is no joke, true story. She has tried for the last 9 years to make my realtionship with my child the most difficult she could possibly imagine. But I have never stopped seeing my kid and I guess nothing can change a rotten to the core female. Child support is a crock and the AG are total dicks every time I have to deal with them, why can't they just look at the paper and treat people with respect?

Nov 02, 2009
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Define Best Interests of the Child.
by: Abildgaard

When states claim that child support is to be used in the best interests of the child, they refuse to define that amount in terms of dollars. The law (in most states) say that children need food, shelter, and clothing.

In many cases, child support barely covers the bare necessities. What happens when the needs are clearly exceeded? It becomes tax free alimony! In fact, states WILL NOT require custodial parents to justify their expenditures. The reason they wont is because it will disrupt thier budget.

On the flip side, consider the kids in foster care. Each state pays foster parents approximately $500.00 per kid to meet their needs. I pay $1200.00 a month for one kid (plus health care) and I have yet to find ONE SINGLE PERSON who can justify such monthly expense. Add the additional $500.00 a month my ex gets from the great state of Texas because we adopted my daughter, and we're now speaking of $1,700 a month total. ANYONE CARE TO EXPLAIN how such money should be used?

So, for those of you who think you should get more for private school, college, and other activities, maybe you should have resolved your issues without involving these money making child support enforcement agencies. Personally, I pay enough to cover private tudor lessons and anything else my daughter wants. But, my ex is more concerned about luxuary items for herself. So, I refuse to give anymore for items such as gifts. Let that BITCH explain why daddy doesn't give presents anymore. GREEDY WHORE!

What many of you fail to realize is that these laws were merely a smoke screen used to deceive Congress. The intent was to reduce the amount of women seeking welfare by forcing dads to pay support. I don't disagree with that part, but their actions were counter-productive because now the taxpayers pay billions more to ensure child support is paid than they did before these laws were passed.

In the end, each state sucks billions into their own legal systems and the public don't even know it! Sad thing is the media will not report it because their own attorneys block such content from going public.

So, one can say it was cost effective to leave the system they way it was. At least the tax burden would be billions less. WAKE UP PEOPLE, it's all a SCAM and EVERYONE who holds a job pays for child support; not just the non-custodial parents.

Oct 28, 2009
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Umm...wrong!
by: Anonymous

My child's father is ordered to pay 20% of his monthly income. This amounts to $199.00.

After school care is $250 a month (through the public school system). Her gymnastics, once a week, costs $60 / month.

These two expenses alone add up to more than he pays in child support a month. That does not even begin to include shelter, food, clothing, additional health expenses (not covered by insurance), school supplies, etc.

So, yes, it is very possible that 20% of the non-custodial parent's income goes towards the child.

Oh, and did I mention college? He is not responsible for paying for a dime of her college education. Wow. Must be nice. So guess what...I put a portion of his $199.00 child support payment into a college fund.

Apr 19, 2009
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To Child support isn't a Bill
by: Stepmother 0f 3

I READ YOUR COMMENT AND I AM PISSED ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT STEPPARENTS.... "step parents get mad about their spouse that is having to pay child support because it goes to the custodial parent... STOP whining and make sure the kids are healthy and well taken care of...greed......... " YOU HAVE NO FUCKING CLUE!!!! I'M AM NOT GREEDY, I JUST DON'T FEEL THAT MY HUSBAND SHOULD BE SUPPORTING HIS EX WIFE (WHO WON'T GET OFF HER LAZY ASS AND GET A JOB), AND A SECOND CHILD FROM ANOTHER FATHER, WITH HIS SON'S CHILD SUPPORT. MY STEPSONS MOTHER CALLED MY HUSBAND DURING WORK TO GET THE DENTIAL INS. INFO., WHICH I HAVE WITH ME, WHEN HE TRIED TO CALL HER AFTER WORK TO GIVE HER THE INFO, SO SHE COULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT SHE NEVER ANSWERED THE PHONE, AND STILL HASN'T GOT THE INFO., HIS SON CALLED THE OTHER NIGHT TO TELL US HE STILL CAN'T CHEW ON THE ONE SIDE OF HIS MONTH BECAUSE OF A BAD TOOTH, AND SHE STILL HASN'T ASKED FOR THE INFO!!!! WE ARE OUT OF STATE WORKING UNTIL NEXT WEEKEND, SO IF HIS TOOTH IS STILL HURTING, I WILL BE THE ONE TAKING HIM TO THE DENIST!!!! SO DON'T TELL ME TO STOP WHINING AND JUST MAKE SURE THE CHILDREN ARE HEALTHY AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE RIGHT NOW MY STEPSON IS IN PAIN AND HIS HEALTH IS BEING NEGLECTED AND THEIR IS NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT UNTIL WE GET HOME!!!! 99.99% OF STEPPARENTS ARE UPSET WHEN THEIR HUSBAND OR WIFE IS SUPPORTING A LAZY ASS CUSTODIAL PARENT!!!! THEY ARE NOT UPSET THAT THEY PAY CHILD SUPPORT!!!!

Jan 11, 2009
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Not every woman is complaining
by: Anonymous

Every woman has there own story and i think if you are only in love with a person should you get a penny. For example if your married or with a man for a long period of time ( over one year) not only a few months and cry shes pregnant. It's not fair for a boy right out of high school that had no previous experience be punished. Because small town schools have no sex ed. I understand when your struggling it is essential to have help but only when your not a two timing tramp of a girl. It gives the rest of us a bad name. Girls should stop getting pregnant for money and then cry about it later. It is the woman's responsibility in the long run no matter what. I would help anyone in your type of situation before i would a sixteen y/o girl that has said that all she wanted was money.

Jan 11, 2009
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We should unite
by: Anonymous

All woman who hate the child support should unite and change the laws. A thousand is better than one.

Nov 23, 2008
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Child Support in Texas
by: Anonymous

I am a custodial mother of 2 disabled children and for the past 3 years not once has their father stepped up to the plate and sent me a dime in child support. It makes me so made to hear people being greedy over money or complaining about how much their husbands have to pay child support for a child from a previous marriage/ relationship. I am unable to work due to the Dr schedule my children have EVERY week and I could sure use the child support that is owed to me, but seriously... what is $253 a month for BOTH my children going to do for me? That will cover gas to and from all their Drs for only 2 weeks!! What about helping with medical expenses, clothing, etc?? What woman need to realize is that is the father is behind on thousands of dollars you pretty much will never see that money so its time to step up to the plate and find other ways to care for your children without the help of child support. Lets face it... they may be ordered to pay it, but its not guaranteed you will even get it. Now what is not fair is when the dead beat doesn't pay child support for 3 years, but the courts still allow him to have supervised visitaion with your children. Its like rewarding him for not being able to support his children. He was not around for the 1st 3 years of their lives, not even for the births, but when he is granted supervised visitaion and ordered to pay child support... he does one, but not the other.

Nov 20, 2008
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Child Support Calculation Solution
by: Anonymous

The pendulum swings hard when times are tough, the story of Child Support is no different. Child Support was created when parent's divorced, Mothers stayed at home caring for children, and Fathers decided on their own how much to give the mother to continue caring for the children. The stories were horrific, and the law came down hard on non-custodial parents.
Let's accelerate time into the 70's during the after-math of a transition that took place in the work environment, many more mothers entered the work force and divorce escalated. Fathers were shocked, and a small percentage refused to pay child support in the amounts dictated by laws and the court. State and Federal agencies coordinated and child support enforcement was the charge. There was only one problem, no adjustment in the child support calculation to offset the difference between the shift from single income to dual income families. Hence, in most cases the largest battle in divorce ensued over child support, or the suit affecting the parent-child relationship, since child support laws placed the primaryparent with a financial advantage.
My proposal includes an equalization of comparative parental incomes within the existing guidelines. For example, if there are two children the guideline provides for 25% of the adjusted net income to be paid as child support. In my proposal, if the parents adjusted income are within the guidelines (25%) of each other, then child support would be calculated based upon income averaging, Annual Child Support = |(income A - income B)/2|. In this case each parent has equalized income and financial opportunity to care for their children. Note that adjustments for child medical insurance would remain the same.
Justification: when parental incomes are basically the same, straight child support percentages provide an unfair advantage for the primary possessor. With an equalization of child support, each parent can provide the same level of care for their child(ren).
If this type of adjustment became legislated law, it would be interesting to see how many parents would continue to "fight" for primary possession. I would expect there would be a significant increase in quick divorce settlements.
I have another calculation for primary parents that make significantly more than the non-primary parent, but space limitations here does not provide room for a detailed explanation.
The premise is simple, the system is out of date and in need of adjustment. Such adjustments would resolve future conflict. Which is in the "best interest of the child," bitter divorce or financial equalization.
For more information about this and other Family Law matters, contact http://www.kidmanlawoffice.com/

Nov 16, 2008
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Legalized Theft
by: BYSTANDER

I for one could care less about these snotty- nose kids these thieving women are producing. If you want to have a child, pay for it. Can't keep your legs closed, pay for it. When you find out your prego and you can't afford it, get rid of it or let someone adopt it that can afford it if for some reason you just have to spit it out. Our government is an expert on how to steal money and backing this fight is only because it lines their pockets too. If the poor sucker that was dumb enough to lay with one of these cows happens to not want the thing, it's too bad. He is tormented and drug through a rat hole backwards for the next 18 years. If "SHE" doesn't want it, she can opt out and not give it a second thought. Instead they see a meal ticket or they want revenge from the man because he didn't want her (go figure) and she produces the child that they will teach to be just like them and then you have the next generation of blood suckers....good luck to any man looking for relief in this up-hill battle, because as long as the state is getting their cut, you will NEVER see a change....Let's have all these spineless, lazy, worthless, women spread their legs for the MEN making the laws, that will be the only way you will see a change, when it directly effects them...."IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD", BULL!. Child support is another way for your local state and government to rob you blind....Using a child the way these women use them, should be considered child abuse. And WHY should the cow be able to keep raising the child support? IF the sperm donor gets more money, why is she entitled to it? Greedy, greedy, greedy. She thinks her child deserves it? Huh, if she couldn't provide any better for "HER" child and she has to depend on someone else to support it, she should have made a better judgment call when she had the chance and aborted the thing or gave it to someone that wanted it and could afford it. These women make me sick and give ALL women a bad name. This is NOT the 50's or 60's. Women can earn just as much as a man and they are allowed all the opportunities as a man if not more because of being a women. Why should they get off their @ss and work when they government steals money for them? DUH...what a crock...

Nov 10, 2008
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TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY
by: Every Case is Different

I think we can all agree that everyone's story is different. For the custodial parents that give child support a bitter taste in the non-custodial parent's mouth; shame on you. There are actually a few of us out here that use child support what it is intended for. I work 40 hours a week, I carry the insurance on our daughter, I pay ALL the medical bills, (I have NEVER asked him to pay a DIME of what is not covered by insurance), or pay for a birthday party or school clotes, etc. because that is what he pays child support for. Noted, every custodial parents has the RIGHT to ask for half of medical bills not covered by insurance, I just choose not to. But there are two sides to every story. We have custody of my step-son....his mother owes over $4000 in back child support and has paid $40 PERIOD. There are TONS of expenses that go into raising a child but it is the responsibilty of BOTH PARENTS to ensure that the child's needs are met. When it is time to buy our daughter a car, college or a wedding then I do expect her dad to step up to the plate and go above and beyond child support and HELP ME do these things. I understand their are custodial parents that may abuse their child's support but please understand the are always two sides to a story. It grates MY NERVES for somone to say how non-custodial parents get the kick in their bank accounts when it comes to child support 'cause again I live in the world of one non-custodial parents that does DO his part and one non-custodial that does NOT do a damn thing. So, for the non-custodial parents that have been knoced down by their ex....just remember....some of us out here DO the right thing. Don't just everyone by your past.

Nov 10, 2008
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child support isnt a bill
by: Anonymous

There are alot of mothers who spend there child support on themselves.They give others a bad name. But then again there are the ones who work, pay their bills and their children dont go without anything ,their job is done. Childcare is expensive and yes the NCP should pay child support. 20% isnt too much. Children require alot....... Way too many people are putting price tags on their kids. And step parents get mad about their spouse is having to pay child support because it goes to the custodial parent... STOP whining and make sure the kids are healthy and well taken care of...greed.........

Nov 01, 2008
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Lets Define CHILD SUPPORT
by: Anonymous

Child Support is/ should be any expense incured due to having a child. i.e- daycare, insurance,diapers,wipes,food(wick covers a good portion of),clothes.
Things that are not expenses incured due to having a child: Car Note- you had the note before the child was born.
Lights- You had to pay a light bill before the child was born.
Rent- You had to pay rent before the child was born.
Gas- you had to put gas in your car before and it is not taking that much more to transport the child.
Water- You had to pay a water bill before the child was born. These things are not extra expenses (child support) due to having a child.

Oct 28, 2008
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Child Support Laws
by: Anonymous

Seems as though we all have the same concern; regardless of custody. Two people making babies, then breaking up later on. Now that battle rages on over who pays what in the interests of the child. the Attorney General can be a good thing for custodial parents and a nightmare for non-custodial parents such as myself. Lesson learned; STOP HAVING KIDS!

I hate to say this, but you women have more control over what "goes in" your body. Anything that enters amidst your objections is rape! So please stop using pregnancies as a way to garner child support or constantly bitch about those who don't actually pay it. Hell, I'm going to court in Jan so my ex can get $1400.00 a month for one child. Just because I make big bucks now, you think it fair my success in life should contribute to her failure? Not like she will use it all on my daughter.

Because of this crap, I live in a shell and don't really want to meet/date another woman. 3 hours is all I need from them. Anymore than that would be a waste.

Oct 28, 2008
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I agree with unfair laws
by: Anonymous

I posted a comment about my husband's story and how the state isn't really helping itself with the laws the way they are..at least I think I posted that on this site...anyway...we simply can't afford to pay what my husband is being ordered to pay. Someone said $200 isn't enough, but for a mother that doesn't work and lets her boyfriend support her and her child, it's plenty, espcecially considering that we litterally live in poverty ourselves. We sat without lights trying to pay just a little bit so that my husband didn't go to jail and my kids have to be without their daddy. My babies are only 3 and 1. It shoudl be a percentage of what the father makes. If that isn't enough for the other woman than that is just too bad. It takes two to make a baby and it shoudl take two to take care of it. When a couple is married, aboth incomes go to support the child and it doesn't matter who makes more. In my case, I can't work to get more income because I can't afford child care either since HALF of my husband's check gets garnished. And tehn people wonder why fathers don't hold down a job! They can't afford to pay their own bills with that kind of percentage rate going out the door. If yo ucan't afford your own basic necessities how can you be expected to pay for someone elses? And to go with that, I've heard of a state that puts the child support on state cards such as the food stamp cards dos thta the moeny can be monitored. it needs to be certain that the child is benefiting and not the mother or anyone else.

Oct 10, 2008
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Fair and Balanced
by: Anonymous

The fact of the matter is that both parents should be responsible, but the non-custodial parent is usually tapped financially. In many cases (but not all), the custodial parent uses the child to garner additional income. I will agree with the other respondant who posted "DUH" in that the mother has many obligations to the child to which the father in not always involved in. However, any additional money should not be used for her own benefit.

They will make a claim that they have to do "this-and-that" for the child, but in many cases its a ploy to get more money. If a custodial parent can show how such money is being used, then I'm all for it. Unfortunately, the state will not interfere on how such money is spent. What I would ask the legislature (elected officials) to do is require custodial parents to devise a budget which outlines the needs of the child.

Unfortunetly, the Attorney General's Office will oppose such action because their existence is based on the money they receive. The more money collected in child support, the easier it is to get federal funding. This agency has a vested interest in Chid Support money and will claim their actions are solely based on the Child's needs. That's a half-truth!

Oct 06, 2008
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Please!!!
by: Anonymous

First of all, any insurance should be paid 50-50 by both parents because...it did take BOTH parents to creat life. The custodial parent should be able to pay their own rent, light, water, gas, etc the same way dad has to. CHILD SUPPORT IS SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME, not for the custodial parent to live off of. All state bentfits should be cut off after 2 years. If the custodial can't make ends meet on his/her own after 2 years of government help then too bad. During these 2 years the state should pay to educate this parent as opposed to the parent and child whoarding off of the government for life. Visitation rights should be revamped so the other parent gets too see the child more often. The way the current system is the other parent spends more time at work to pay CS than they spend with their child. All CS should be 50-50 regardless of reason for divorce since it takes 2 people to create life.

Sep 25, 2008
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20% not enough....
by: mary in mississippi

Ok I understand some people take advantage of the situation. But I have 1 full time and 2 part time jobs and I am barely getting by and I get more than 20%.when I get it. He is about 8 months behind and Of course my ex does not know how to hold down a job and when he does he gets money under the table so the very most I get is $200.00 per month. My daughters bills is over double that and does not include food, lights, water, insurance or gas... So unless you make several thousand a month and help out with the rest, it is trully not enough...

Sep 23, 2008
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20%...how about baby momma take responsibility!
by: Anonymous

I couldn't agree more that 20% should be paid by both mother and father. My husband has a daughter from his wilder days...result of a one night stand. His daughters mom uses her as a paycheck, yet she has not worked since the child was born...almost 8 yrs ago. She sits at home (she lives with her parents)collects public assistance and now she has another kid from a one night stand with another guy- so she is making more money than my husband and all she does is sit at home. There should be
responsibility on both sides not just the dad. Perhaps if our society shunned the irresponsible, promicuous women that have babies out of wedlock by random guys there would be more of an incentive to wait until you can provide the right kind of family until you have a kid. Dad's and there families get robbed by child support...that in my case the child never sees a penny of.

Sep 22, 2008
Rating

DUH
by: Anonymous

This is a hard one to answer. It dramatically depends on how much child support your boyfriend pays to be able to answer this is in all fairness. Do you have any idea how much day care costs, especially if their child is not potty trained and/or has to be fed by someone. Do you know how much it costs to hire a babysitter when their child is sick and can not go to day care? Who pays the mom's day at work when their is no one else to keep a sick child and/or take to the doctor? Do you know how much the clothes and shoes cost especially since children are continuously growing? Do you know how much food and/or school lunch costs on a weekly basis, how much the electricity costs that their child also uses, how much is that child drove from friends houses, school, school functions in the car that is being paid for, insured and cost of gas on a monthly basis. How about life insurance, who pays for the child's life insurance? Who gives the child money to buy a toy at the store, go to movie's with friends/family, buys christmas presents for friends and family or the birthday presents for the parties their child is invited to, who pays for the child's birthday party every year so all of their child's friends can come over and have cake and ice cream? Who pays for the doctor's appointments UP FRONT (Then has to wait for the other half to come back in the mail, up to 10 days later)? Is your boyfriend going to help pay for their child's college eductation or does it all stop at 18? Does your boyfriend make valid attempts to spend as much time with that child as he possibly can? My ex-husband pays quite a bit of child support and sees our daughter MAYBE twice a year, his choice. How many times, I wished he would have helped ME support our child more than just financially. If his child's mother abuses the child support then shame on her. But, as a mother and ex-wife; my ex-husband has NO IDEA what is intailed in raising a child he is just mad because he thinks he pays to much money.

Jul 30, 2011
Rating

Add It Up...Really. (continued)
by: Anonymous

If your child is breastfed, it's less, but you still have to feed yourself, and you have to eat well in order to produce good milk (not to mention the costs of prenatal vitamins, fish oil, and folic acid, which is needed to provide all essential nutrients in your milk), purchase breast-feeding bras and clothes, covers for being in public... also, I haven't included the costs of bedroom furniture for the child, (dressers, changing table, crib) clothing, blankets, spit clothes, pacifiers, teething rings, toys, other amenities (bouncer seat, jumper, collapsible walking stroller)...$200/a month is NOTHING to care for a child, and while $2,000 is a lot, there needs to be a happy medium. The custodial parents takes care of the child all the time--deals with teething, illness, diaper changes, EDUCATION, feedings, etc. You people on here complain about mothers who don't work...but at least they don't have to pay for daycare. If you work and have to pay for daycare, those sometimes cancel each other out, virtually, and a mother's take home pay may be just a couple hundred dollars for a month's work because she has to pay for daycare...and how can you afford to live and pay rent and bills and provide for your child on that amount of money? I'm not saying a mother should be paid for taking care of her child--that's her job as a mother. BUT a non-participating father *SHOULD* PAY A COST FOR *NOT* TAKING CARE OF HIS CHILD'S EMOTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS ON A DAILY BASIS, AS WELL AS CONTRIBUTE TO THE COST OF SUPPLIES YOUR CHILD NEEDS.

It is my belief that a mother who provides total care for a single child should get at LEAST $600/month, and if that mother has to pay for daycare, formula, etc. (that etc. includes a number of other things. For instance, car repairs--you can't ride a bus with a baby, so you have to have a functioning vehicle), then the cost should increase. Honestly, even getting $2,000 a month for a child doesn't mean the mother can just live high on the hog. The cost of gas, car repairs, baby supplies, daycare, rent, bills, etc., can EASILY exceed $2,000/month.

As for the men and women on this board who say it's the mother's "fault" for having the child--you should be ashamed of yourselves. It takes both a male and female to create a life. What an imbecilic and sexist thing to say.

Jul 30, 2011
Rating

Add it up, REALLY.
by: Anonymous

I have a 5 month old child and am a single mother. The child's biological father has never met his son and has never contributed a dime. I am happy to have my son, and it wasn't as a result of an irresponsible lack of protection that he came to be. I was infertile, or so I had believed for the first sixteen years I was sexually active...until my son was conceived. He is a miracle baby, and I wouldn't trade him for the world, but raising a child is a challenge (albeit a rewarding one).

The cost of a child is quite high.
Let me break down the cost of my child for the first month of his life:
a package of diapers = $9 (3-4x a month) so a month's supply is $35 approximately (with tax, and that's a low estimate)
wipes = $15/box (1 box a month)
Children's Tylenol = $8
Gripe water = $6
Bath supplies (bath pad or tub, soaps, towels/washclothes) = $40 (at LEAST)
water costs for laundry/bathing = $50/month
gas to drive my child to daycare/doctor = $200/month
I am not including daycare costs, because I am lucky in that I don't have to pay for a babysitter--my friend watches my son for free.
The cost of furniture and toys for my son (bassinet/playpen, exersaucer, travel bassinet, swing) = $250
stroller/carseat combo = $180

So far that is $784. He has Medicaid, so I don't have to pay for doctor's costs. I work and go to school full-time. I live with my mom since a few weeks before my son was born, so my rent is $100/month--pretty damn cheap, and I don't have to pay utilities (water costs listed above are included in my rent fee). I am very lucky. But what about those mothers who don't have a mom to live with, a friend to watch her child for free, and whose child doesn't qualify for Medicaid? Add another $600 on top of that for daycare and doctor the first month of life, and another $700 for rent and bills. That's $2,084.00. Even subtracting the costs of furniture and supplies (that, once you have them, should last for awhile), the monthly cost is $1,600.00. And that's every month. Even if you live with a loved one and get free medical and child care, your costs are $300 MINIMUM (and that is a SUPER LOW ESTIMATE. If you live in a larger city, have to commute a long distance or any one of a number of other factors, multiply that number by 1.5-3). And if your child is not breastfed like my son, you can add the cost of formula to that total...and a child eats, by age 2 months, at least 8 oz. of formula 5-6 times a day (minimum). So the cost up to two months ($3/day) and after two months ($5/day) is between $90-150/month for formula...on top of the $300. So even if you live with parents and have no other bills besides cell phone, car insurance, gas, small amount of rent, the cost of your child's upkeep is $400-550/month.

Jun 05, 2011
Rating

You dumb woman
by: Single Mom to 1

I do not agree at all. Women are expected to work and be the child's care taker 24/7. I can say from personal experience that the amount I was given isn't enough for childcare so I can work. Without being able to work I can't put in my "fair share". 50/50 is an ideal situation, but being a single mom I can say situations are not always ideal. The state offers support to women in the form of housing, school, and food so women can get on their feet and start earning money on their own eventually. Stop being so cold and greedy. When she got married did he become less of a biological father? No, the state does not take into account another man's earnings in a child support case that doesn't involve him. The support is for the child to have a good life, be happy, and be healthy. It doesn't sound like you are a mother at all since you obviously can't see how everything she's getting is for the long term good of the child. I do not get benefits, help with my school loans, or very much help from my ex. Good for her for utilizing the help she has in order to make a good life for her child. And you want to say she should be more obligated because she's the one who could get pregnant. Why didn't he just keep it in his pants? Every guy knows sticking it to a woman can get her pregnant. Was this a secret? Did he miss health class? Listen I know 20% seems like a lot to you, but it isn't up to you nor is it your child. You're the new girl. Obviously you're going to be greedy for your family. But seriously grow up. Children need support despite how unfair that may seem to you.

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