Why does my partner pay $2400 a month child support for one kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If only he were in VA. VA thinks that childcare and raising children in Roanoke and Arlington cost the same.

It’s ridiculous.

No its, not. It goes on time share and income. The custodial parent also has an obligation to financially support the child/ren as well. So, that's not full support, its only Dad's share.

This.

I find that so many people believe that child support is supposed to cover all of a child’s expenses and that’s not true. It’s just a portion. So many times women are disappointed and say they are not getting enough child support when in reality the cost of living and raising a child is higher than then realized and that they will actually need to increase their own income since now they are dependent on a single income.

That wasn't my point. My point was that the state of Virginia treats Arlington and Roanoke the same. If you think that's equitable, fine. VA has the lowest child support rate in the DMV.

Yes, its equitable. Mom can choose to move to a lower cost area if she cannot afford where she is living at. Most things in divorce, custody and child support aren't equitable.

Well, maybe not, but they are supposed to be; most states’ divorce laws are literally called “equitable distribution.” (NP by the way)

[Anonymous]

2400/month is literally less than 20% of his income. You sound heartless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If only he were in VA. VA thinks that childcare and raising children in Roanoke and Arlington cost the same.

It’s ridiculous.

No its, not. It goes on time share and income. The custodial parent also has an obligation to financially support the child/ren as well. So, that's not full support, its only Dad's share.

This.

I find that so many people believe that child support is supposed to cover all of a child’s expenses and that’s not true. It’s just a portion. So many times women are disappointed and say they are not getting enough child support when in reality the cost of living and raising a child is higher than then realized and that they will actually need to increase their own income since now they are dependent on a single income.

That wasn't my point. My point was that the state of Virginia treats Arlington and Roanoke the same. If you think that's equitable, fine. VA has the lowest child support rate in the DMV.

Yes, its equitable. Mom can choose to move to a lower cost area if she cannot afford where she is living at. Most things in divorce, custody and child support aren't equitable.

Well, maybe not, but they are supposed to be; most states’ divorce laws are literally called “equitable distribution.” (NP by the way)

So, you choose to live in an expensive area and you expect your ex to contribute more because of your personal choices. That's not how child support works. And, child support is supposed to cover Dad's portion as determined by the state. Not what you want to maintain your lifestyle choices and you have an obligation to contribute as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2400/month is literally less than 20% of his income. You sound heartless.

Remember Dad pays taxes on his income, and probably provides the health care and more. Mom gets all that money tax free. $2400 is more than most people spend on their kids. Is more than some people earn in a month. Its a lot of money. We spend a lot on our child and don't even come close to that if you average it out over a year (except maybe if you include college savings).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If only he were in VA. VA thinks that childcare and raising children in Roanoke and Arlington cost the same.

It’s ridiculous.

No its, not. It goes on time share and income. The custodial parent also has an obligation to financially support the child/ren as well. So, that's not full support, its only Dad's share.

This.

I find that so many people believe that child support is supposed to cover all of a child’s expenses and that’s not true. It’s just a portion. So many times women are disappointed and say they are not getting enough child support when in reality the cost of living and raising a child is higher than then realized and that they will actually need to increase their own income since now they are dependent on a single income.

That wasn't my point. My point was that the state of Virginia treats Arlington and Roanoke the same. If you think that's equitable, fine. VA has the lowest child support rate in the DMV.

Yes, its equitable. Mom can choose to move to a lower cost area if she cannot afford where she is living at. Most things in divorce, custody and child support aren't equitable.

Well, maybe not, but they are supposed to be; most states’ divorce laws are literally called “equitable distribution.” (NP by the way)

So, you choose to live in an expensive area and you expect your ex to contribute more because of your personal choices. That's not how child support works. And, child support is supposed to cover Dad's portion as determined by the state. Not what you want to maintain your lifestyle choices and you have an obligation to contribute as well.

I didn’t say anything about that at all.

[Anonymous]

Seems high but no way to know without looking at the inputs to the guidelines (daycare, health insurance and moms income).

[Anonymous]

It’s less than my ex-DH pays. We have a 60/40 schedule in VA and he pays 2900 a month. One kid.

I think it’s a pretty average amount.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s less than my ex-DH pays. We have a 60/40 schedule in VA and he pays 2900 a month. One kid.

I think it’s a pretty average amount.

That's not an average amount for one child. Average is probably $400-600, maybe 800, especially with a custody share like yours. Yours just means your ex/dad is a very high earner and is subsidizing your lifestyle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2400/month is literally less than 20% of his income. You sound heartless.

Remember Dad pays taxes on his income, and probably provides the health care and more. Mom gets all that money tax free. $2400 is more than most people spend on their kids. Is more than some people earn in a month. Its a lot of money. We spend a lot on our child and don't even come close to that if you average it out over a year (except maybe if you include college savings).

You have no reason to assume that he provides healthcare, and even if he does, so what? It costs money to have a child, and if you’re a high earner, you can expect to pay more in child support. Just because there are people who make $2400/month doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be paying a portion of your income to support your child. What a stupid response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s less than my ex-DH pays. We have a 60/40 schedule in VA and he pays 2900 a month. One kid.

I think it’s a pretty average amount.

That's not an average amount for one child. Average is probably $400-600, maybe 800, especially with a custody share like yours. Yours just means your ex/dad is a very high earner and is subsidizing your lifestyle.

$400 doesn’t even cover one week of childcare...

[Anonymous]

It's his money going to his child.
Why are you questioning that?

[Anonymous]

There’s a calculator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s less than my ex-DH pays. We have a 60/40 schedule in VA and he pays 2900 a month. One kid.

I think it’s a pretty average amount.

That's not an average amount for one child. Average is probably $400-600, maybe 800, especially with a custody share like yours. Yours just means your ex/dad is a very high earner and is subsidizing your lifestyle.

$400 doesn’t even cover one week of childcare...

It doesn't matter what it covers. It goes by income and time share. Most child care is $400-500 a week so that would cover 1/2 of child care and Mom can cover her half.

[Anonymous]

The crazy thing is that when he has more kids, each won’t get $2400. I make a similar amount and bring home 3k a paycheck (after maxing out retirement and my health insurance)

I know dh and I don’t spend that on our kids a month. We have the same house and cars we did prekids, so those costs would be the same regardless of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's his money going to his child.
Why are you questioning that?

No, its money going to the child's mom who gets to decide if its spent on the child or not. If she chooses to spend it on herself and the child goes without, too bad for the kid. Dad also has expenses in his home.