A question about child support and shared goods...?

Question

Loving step mom inquiring:

My husband is paying full child, spousal and s. 7 expenses to provide for his child and ex-wife. Neither my husband and I or his ex-wife owns a car. We belong to a car sharing program so we can pick up the child every 2 weeks (approx. 4 hours travel time per month). The ex-wife rents cars or gets rides from others. She has purchased a booster seat.

My question is: Is she required to share the booster seat with us, as it was purchased with support money and is used expressly for the child’s well being? It doesn't seem to make sense that after providing upwards of $1,600 in support per month that we should be required to spend additional money for 4 hours per month.

Any insight from single Moms, lawyers, people with experience in this sort of situation is welcome. This isn't as much about money (although having to buy duplicates of everything does hurt financially) as it is what's right for everyone.

Answer 1

You can buy a booster seat at walmart for $15. Problem solved

Answer 2

If you want the child to be safe - just buy a car seat..................

Answer 3

No. Child support is to help the custodial parent pay for the child while its in his or her care. Nothing has to be shared.  

Answer 4

It would be very kind of her to share the booster seat but then again it seems such a petty and trivial issue for you to insist upon it. Go down to the Salvation Army store and pick one up for pennies and get over it. Why make a mountain out of a mole hill?  Try to live in peace and harmony and pick your battles carefully, this one is definitely a non issue.

Answer 5

It would be nice of her to share it with you, but the law does not say that she is required to.  Generally speaking, the non-custodial parent is responsible for providing the child anything he or she needs while in their care - clothes, food, hygiene items, etc.

Answer 6

That is her money, as she has the child more. She does not have to share anything with you. Your husband should have his own car seat.

Answer 7

No such thing as shared goods. Your child should have things like a comb and toothbrush at both houses, and you should both have a carseat. Costco brand makes a seat for up to 100 lbs for $40. Part of your husband's part of the custody is to meet half way to pick up the child and provide a safe way to your house. So yes, he should have his own car seat.

Answer 8

nope, sorry she does not have to share the booster seat and you cannot technically prove it was purchased with support money if she has an income from a job and even if you could, that money goes to her to support the child so sorry.  

Answer 9

Does it really matter who buys what and if you have duplicates? Children suffer when the relationship between the parents reaches this level. They can actually feel the bad mood around them. So, don't spoil the limited hours that you can see the child with thoughts like that.  

Answer 10

She is not required to share the booster seat legally. In most cases, she does legally have to divulge what she spends her support money on either.

But if the baby is not with her, I do not see why she wouldn't share the seat. Is she outright refusing to share it or have you not asked her to share it? If you have and she says no, legally there is nothing you can do. If you really can not get the seat, ask for it on freecycle.org (It will direct you to your local yahoo group and people are giving things like this away everyday) or on craigslist.org.