Quote:
Originally Posted by kaisen
I pay out 44% of my gross income in child support
I also pay out ~38% of my gross income in federal/state income taxes, SS, etc
I'm left with ~18% of what I make to pay for a roof over my head and food on the table when my children are here (45% of the time)
I guess that's what it takes to be a man
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I feel your pain. I'm in the same boat, but I only pay about 33% of my gross towards child support. It could be less, but my ex chooses not to have a job. So, her lack of income is my problem (Arizona has an algorith that takes into account what I make vs. what she makes, plus some other factors). On top of that 33%, I pay for their medical insurance (which I'm 100% cool with--they're my kids and they need to be insured), and I pay 50% of any other expenses they have (doctor visit copays, sports, girl scout activities, etc.).
I hate child support laws; they're stupid. I think instead of the money going to whichever parent is receiving the payments, it should go into an expense account of sorts. If the kid(s) need something (food, clothes, a certain % of parent's rent/mortgage, anything really), the parent can dip into that account and use the money. BUT they should not be able to use the money for anything that is not for the children. The way I see it, the money I'm sending to my ex could be money that I'd be sticking away into college accounts. She's since remarried and her new husband makes almost as much as I do, so she's not hurting for cash. But does she have college accounts set up for the kids? Of course not. It frustrates the hell out of me, and I've broached the subject with her numerous times, but she's just horrible with money and with future planning.
The old saying is certainly true: It's cheaper to keer her. I just wish I could at least claim some of the child support on my taxes.
And to the OP; good job calling out the deadbeat. Deadbeat dads are a prime reason why divorce and child support laws are the way they are; unfortunately, it also screws us decent fathers.