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Paint > Food for his kids (a vent)

post #1 of 5
Thread Starter 
Before my dc and I moved out at the end of Feb., stbx said he "didn't have the money" to give me cs for March, but that he would give me "some" on April 1.

On April 15, when I still hadn't seen a penny, I emailed him, stating the above. He wrote back, saying firstly that he hadn't given me any money because "We don't have an agreement," and secondly, that he had said he might be able to give me something on April 1.

He went on to say that he would deposit $300 into my back account, and that maybe he could give me $300 more May 1, but that after that he wouldn't be giving anything until his house refi money comes through!

I was very upset, of course. I refrained from emailing him back, though! I just wanted to yell at him "We DO have an agreement-- it's called a MARRIAGE CONTRACT, and you promised to support and care for any children we had!" And also, "WELL WHY DON'T YOU JUST TELL THE KIDS NOT TO GET HUNGRY OR NEED SHELTER OR CLOTHES THAT FIT UNTIL YOU FEEL MORE GENEROUS!"

Seriously, he has enough money for anything he wants, but not for cs. Case in point:

Stbx decided, unilaterally, to paint older ds' bedroom, move himself in there, and put ds and his little brother together in the other bedroom. So, he has money for paint, and also, apparently, for a bed for little ds. He's 5, and has always coslept-- until this coming weekend!

They've only slept at his place 4 times, and already he's doing this!
post #2 of 5
That really sucks. My ex just asked me to stop enforcing child support because he is going to lose his license for not paying it for several years. He had plenty of money for leather and expensive beads and such, but rarely worked above the table so child support almost never came and was only the full amount one time. It is very infuriating to have to deal with someone who thinks live on air alone.

I think you should go to court and get a temporary custody and child support agreement in place while you decide on whether to follow through with a divorce. It is a big step, but it is for the good of your kids. Even if he doesn't pay it now he will eventually have to some day. My friend's dad is paying it out of his retirement money now that he is retired because he chose not to when she was a kid and it is helping her go to college.

You can file the paperwork on your own or with a lawyer. The court clerk can work out the amount of money he needs to pay for child support based on your income and his for the last year and on the amount of time each child will be spending with the other parent. Where I live, once there is an order in place you can go to the child support enforcement office and pay $20 then they will withdraw it automatically from the other parents pay check and deposit it in your bank account.
post #3 of 5
Its really in your best interest and the kids to go file for temporary custody and child support. You have tried to make it work by not going that route and he is not cooperating. Sometimes the judge will hold it against the mother for not filing for cs and depending on what state you are in you will only get cs from the date you file. You don't need an attorney. Don't tell him you are going to do in until after its done, he will try to talk you out of it will promises and threats.

One_girl, I hope you are not going to lift your ex's cs obligation so he doesn't lose his license. What is wrong with these guys? Seriously, pay child support, they have so little to do in the big scheme of raising their kids (many, not all of them) and they can't get it done.

Good luck.
post #4 of 5
you would be surprised what people can rationalize. i am sorry that your little one isn't higher on his list of priorities, but trust that your ex will only get as good as he gives in the long run.
post #5 of 5
I agree with the others - get the temp. child support order.

I may have said this here before, but I have a friend who was still living with her husband (they're now divorcing) who stopped giving her grocery money and they have three kids! She was able to get the court to order him to give her money, even before any divorce went through.

There is no point on waiting for this guy to do the right thing - clearly he is showing you his true colors.
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