Can we change paying child support from weekly to monthly?

Question

I am married to a man that has a child from a previous marriage and we have been giving her (the ex) a check every Friday. Due to our financial budget changing we have found that it will be easier to manage our money if we pay her (the ex) the whole lump some once a month on the first of every month so that way we can get that expence out of our way and focus on our bills. The divoce decree has it broken down in the weekly amount and the monthly amount, so that made it a little confusing.

Answer 1

You could get the court to modify it, but it is simpler to set up a separate bank account and have the money transfered to that account on the first of the month and then disbursed to her every week,

Answer 2

Um,.....has anyone even thought of the whole POINT of "child-support"??   Too many people think of it as "giving money to my Ex".  Its FOR YOUR CHILD.  IT COSTS MONEY TO RAISE A CHILD.  Why should a husband or wife foot the bill an ENTIRE MONTH by themselves until you swoop in at the end and give them a check.  Your child needs clothes, food, medicine, school supplies, entertainment money, and etc,....EVERY WEEK.  Not the last Friday of the month.  Doesnt your child mean anything more to you than that?  Maybe you should have named him "bill".

Answer 3

contact the other parent and see if they are agreeable to it...and get it in writing....or go to court and have the decree changed..both sides would have to agree, i think as long as its getting paid monthly may work, but while it may work out for your budget, it may not work for the custodial parent...and their budget

Answer 4

If you are giving her a check, and not going through any agency or have it taken directly out of his pay check, you should be able to work it out with her. For protection of you and your husband, it would be best to have her sign something (talk to a lawyer about what it should actually say) stating she is OK with this.

*To Erik T* - I believe that the asker is saying they want to pay on the first of the month for the upcoming month, not pay for the previous month:

"...once a month on the first of every month so that way we can get that expence out of our way..."

Answer 5

She would have to agree.  You can get any legal documents drafted that you want, and they can be binding if both parties agree and it's not illegal.  I doubt any judge would force her to accept the change, though.

Answer 6

Wow well if it is broken down in the divorce decree as weekly and monthly you should be able to pay it monthly.  If it is ordered by the Child Support Enforcement people you have to have it deducted from your pay weekly.  Then the company sends it in monthly.  But in your case you should be able to pay it monthly.