Child support laws need a serious overhaul

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by Captain Morgan

One big problem I have with the system is the way they consider the "cost" of the child. They say it costs X to raise the child in a home and the parents split the cost based on their income percentages. I can understand this, but my problem is that X isn't standard. If there is daycare involved, then the cost of daycare adds to the cost to raise the child (X + daycare). ....

It isn't just daycare. There are other expenses that can't be measured - which is why child support is usually more than $14.

My ex didn't have the girls living with him during or after the divorce. His reason, "it wasn't convenient." So, I had them. That meant I had to have at least a two bedroom apartment. And, it can't be a shitty place either - not only to "think of the children" in a safety sense, but they need a good enough school district/school to attend. That also means I have to commit to my decision for a while so they aren't uprooted every 6-months.

I also can't just get a cheap motorcycle to save on transportation costs. I need a car so I can cart them places and get them food.

These are basics - I opt for a simple, not cheap [ie scary] apartment but not expensive. I opt for a car that works well and won't be a money pit, but isn't expensive.

Then, I'm told that the STATE MINIMUM child support based on his income and the STATE guidelines won't fit into his budget. Yeah, because it fits into mine. [rolling eyes] I'm then bitched at because I'm spending the money on getting my hair done Right. It isn't possible to come up with a standard amount that a child is "worth." It isn't possible to come up with receipts for a standard of living.

What really gets me.... he sued me last year for full custody because he wanted ME to pay HIM child support. He sees the $$ my husband makes and wants a piece of it. Too bad for him, even if he would have won it would have been based on my income. How else do you fight that battle if not with a pricetag on it? The ONLY way to hold some people accountable is with a monetary expense.