My ex has 10% custody and stopped making voluntary weekly payments over a year ago, so I filed for child support. After he was served, he mentioned that his lawyer told him not to send the kid a birthday gift because the court doesn’t recognize it as support. The birthday thing is whatever, but I’m curious why he has a lawyer for child support. Is that common? I thought child support was just a number crunching game and not like a custody hearing. For some background, our kid is 6, and I’ve never filed before because I know he works in a cash industry and underreports his income to the IRS. I didn’t think I’d get much, but now anything is better than nothing.
You definitely need a lawyer too. Get one as soon as possible.
Hadi said:
You definitely need a lawyer too. Get one as soon as possible.
Thanks for the advice. I’ll look into getting one. I didn’t think it was that serious.
Someone like him would probably look for ways to challenge the amount. Trying to count a birthday gift as child support is ridiculous. He is a piece of work.
Pacey said:
Someone like him would probably look for ways to challenge the amount. Trying to count a birthday gift as child support is ridiculous. He is a piece of work.
For real, that’s so petty. I can’t believe he’s trying to play those games.
Hahaha, my ex used to go shopping with the kids and then act like he was doing me a favor paying for groceries. Then he’d start fights over it later. It was always stuff like diapers that the kids needed anyway. I just stopped going out with him.
@AstroAvatar
Wow, that sounds like a mess. It’s wild how they can turn things around like that.
Yeah, because the kid will ever understand that ‘I paid child support (or maybe not) so your mom’s presents were from me too.’ That kid will definitely call him out someday.
Jasper said:
Yeah, because the kid will ever understand that ‘I paid child support (or maybe not) so your mom’s presents were from me too.’ That kid will definitely call him out someday.
Exactly, kids see through that. It’s just sad all around.
Yes, it’s very common to have an attorney in these cases. You should definitely get one, especially if you think he’s hiding income.
Oak said:
Yes, it’s very common to have an attorney in these cases. You should definitely get one, especially if you think he’s hiding income.
Good to know. I’ll prioritize finding a lawyer.
He has a lawyer because that lawyer is going to fight tooth and nail to make sure that child support payment is as low as possible. A good dad doesn’t need an order to take care of his kid; a bad one gets a lawyer and fights against it.
@Dez
That makes a lot of sense. It’s sad that some dads can’t just step up without being forced.
And to try and reduce the back child support as low as possible.
Palmer said:
And to try and reduce the back child support as low as possible.
That’s what I’m worried about. I hope the court sees through his tactics.
Yep, that too.
Dez said:
Yep, that too.
I’ll keep all this in mind moving forward. Thanks for the insight.
It’s frustrating how some parents act. You’re doing what’s best for your kid, and he’s making it harder.
MaxwellGrant said:
It’s frustrating how some parents act. You’re doing what’s best for your kid, and he’s making it harder.
Thanks, I appreciate that. It really feels like a long road ahead.
Document everything. Keep records of payments, communications, and anything that shows his income.