If I pay child support half of medical,dental and school can she demand money for school supplies and shoes?
Tino asked:
I pay for half of everything from Medical, dental, and administrative school fees and school sports. I also have every other weekend and 2 weeks every summer with my daughter. Can she demand that I pay for school supplies even though I help pay for all these other things and provide a very good amount of child support? It just seems like it’s all about getting more money from me and when I don’t cough it up I get the whole story about being a good father.
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I pay for half of everything from Medical, dental, and administrative school fees and school sports. I also have every other weekend and 2 weeks every summer with my daughter. Can she demand that I pay for school supplies even though I help pay for all these other things and provide a very good amount of child support? It just seems like it’s all about getting more money from me and when I don’t cough it up I get the whole story about being a good father.
August 12th, 2009 at 4:58 am
If you can afford it buy the extras for your kids , but do it because it is the right thing to do not because she lays a guilt trip on you.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
She can’t legally demand anything that isn’t specified in the court order. Those expenses should be coming from the support money you already pay.
But it would be nice of you. Maybe take the kid shopping for supplies yourself, rather than handing over more cash.
August 17th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
She can demand it. You can tell her to piss off.
You might want to consult a lawyer and figure out what you would pay in court-ordered CS first.
August 18th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
The way I see it is the Fathers will always be labeled as a bad father if they aren’t forking out money every time mom puts her hand out. Child support isn’t fair for fathers and it never will be!
If you don’t want to give the money directly to the mother, but you still want to help out, take your daughter to get what she needs yourself. That way you can regulate what amount is being spent!
August 19th, 2009 at 3:01 am
Does she have to demand it?
Take the kids to Walmart or the 99 cent sore and load up on notebooks, pens, folders and whatever else.
Better yet, next time they spend that weekend with you, take them to the store and get them what they need.
That way it doesn’t feel like your giving her more cash.
August 19th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I found this info on
Both parents have the legal obligation to support a child, both during and after a divorce.
Courts will order a non-custodial parent to pay a specific amount to the custodial parent to cover a proportionate amount of the child’s expenses, such as:
Housing and utilities
Food
Clothing
Medical costs not covered by insurance
Activities such as soccer and music lessons
Child care costs
Special expenses of a disabled or chronically ill child
Education expenses such as tutoring and college
It’s a good idea to keep track of money you spend on your child above child support payments. This might include:
Birthday and holiday gifts
Extra clothing purchased for school
School supplies
Books and toys
Sporting equipment
Increase in rent and utilities dues to having extra space in your home for your child
This information will come in handy if you have to revisit the child support issue in the future.
From this information it would appear that school supplies are considered additional to child support and in my understanding should not be required in the same way child support is, unless it is stated that you must help with this in the court’s paperwork. If you have the money go ahead and pay some, but keep reciepts for the next time the issue comes up and the court may be able to modify your child support payment.
Also, if you are handing the custodial parent the child support payment each month do not use cash always use check or money order or see if your state has a Child Support Registry you can send the money through. This helps keep track of the support you are sending.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer. I have never opened a law book and probably could not make it through the first paragraph of one. This information is a mixture of my opinion/understanding and information taken from and information website, not a legal website.
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:40 pm
That should be covered under child support. I know too many women that try to make the father pay for everything for the child. Child support is only to represent one parents share of support needed to raise the child. The other parent also need to contribute.
Unfortunately, I’ve seen many mother’s abuse the system and the one that loses is the child. Child support is not a punishment, its a responsibility too both parents.
August 25th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Not legally, but come on? Kid’s are expensive. That’s your daughter your talking about. You say you do all the right things as if your suppose to be rewared for it. It’s your responsibility. Stop being such a cheapo and take her shopping. DANG!