My ex wife and I were divorced in 2000 when she left the marriage after being caught in an extramarital affair. On the other hand, I have been paying for her decison ever since.
Initially, I was paying Child Support on three kids based on my salary. Two of my kids are now adults and my adoptive daughter is still a minor. As my two older kids became adults, the rate was reduced to it's current level of $283.00 a month.
After continuing my education and landing a much higher paying job, my ex wants more money. Ironically, she contacted the attorney general's office for an increase immediately after I reported her and her boyfriend to Child Protective Services (CPS) for hitting my daughter with a belt.
Although she is currently under investigation for possible child abuse, it appears as though she will get more money. From what I know, that equates to 20% of my net income at a tune of about $1500.00 a month. Being that she lives in a small Texas town, I don't see the rationale for this amount being paid. Essentially, what this means is that my ex will be doing some additional shopping of her own for the next 7 years and my support will not be used in the best interest of my daughter.
Another factor is that my daughter is an adopted child through the state. As a benefit, my ex also receives a monthly subsidy of $500.00 and free health care until my daughter turns 18. Additionally, I have to provide health care for my daughter through my employer.
Although I won't have much to live on, I have no problem seeing to the needs of my child. What I have a problem with is the way in which my money will be spent contrary to my daughter's best interest. So, here are my questions:
1) Since the adoption subsidy was awarded to "us" as adoptive parents, can that amount be deducted from what I have to pay?
2) Since the amount of $1500.00 is exremely high, can a judge order a large portion of that be put in a trust or college fund to ensure my daughter benefits from it?
3) Can the court require my ex to show a list of proven expenses that warrant such an increase?
4) Since my daughter is covered, can the court overturn my requirentment for maintaining health coverage on her?
5) Is my ex required to report the support she gets from me to the state agency she receives the subsidy from, and report the subsidy to the attorney gereral's office?
Neither agency speaks to each other. One agency sees the amount of $500.00, and the other one sees an amount of $283.00. By combining these totals, each agency would see that she currently gets around $800.00 a month. With potential amounts in the future, that total rises to nearly $2000.00 a month. Personally, outside of some medical condition, I don't think there's a child within Texas that requires such an enormus amount for support.
6) If both parents are responsible for the care of the child, why isn't the custodial parent's income ever considered? It's almost as if the non-custodial parent is paying a babysitting fee.
7) If Child Support is to be used in the best interest of the child and not the custodial parent, shall such support be used to pay "all" expenses of the house to include rent, utilities, food, gas, etc?
For instance; if child support is to be used on my daughter, it's obvious that my ex and her boyfriend get to live there for free.
It saddens me to say that there are many dead-beat dads out there who never pay a dime. However, there are some responsible ones as well. When placed in these situations, many such as myself have to ride the storm while greedy custodial parents (usually women) go out of their way to keep their dependancy alive. No matter what the law says (Best interest of the child), this is nothing more than a hidden alimony. So, I would appreciate it if someone can answer my questions and let me know what options (If any) a non-custodial parent has in a case like this.
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