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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    6

    Default Appropriate Use of Child Support

    My question involves child support in the State of: NJ

    I am helping a good friend though a difficult period in his divorce and he's encountering some issues that are beyond his, and my ability to help him through. I am hoping I can learn more about how child support is intended to work once its paid.

    There is a lengthy back story to this situation, but the main issue is my friend's ex-wife has recently stopped putting money into their 2 kids school lunch account, and telling the kids that if they want to eat, they have to get money from my friend, the father.

    Their situation is on the ugly side, with a lot of past unresolved issues and such, so there's a back story to this but its too long to go into.

    My friend can afford his child support, but not by much. I've been helping him sort his side of the issues. He's like a brother, so I'm in for the long haul.

    The big question I have: is it legal for his ex-wife to claim that his child support should not go to school lunches and that he has to pay it or the kids don't eat? Ethical and moral and issues aside, is that legally justified that what the custodial parent uses support for is purely discretionary?

    The ex has made recent choices that significantly increased her living expenses, such as buying a house that by her income alone, she can not possibly afford. Its her life, and her choice, but there are kids involved so that choice has a big impact on how she seems to use child support.

    Thanks for any help or insight. This really is a friend in need I'm helping. I am not afraid to talk in the first person when its me in the dumps.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: Appropriate Use of Child Support

    The custodial parent may use the money received in child support as he/she wishes.

    Unless the children are lacking the basics of life, there is no accounting necessary.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    TN
    Posts
    699

    Default Re: Appropriate Use of Child Support

    Quote Quoting matthew2518
    View Post
    My question involves child support in the State of: NJ

    The big question I have: is it legal for his ex-wife to claim that his child support should not go to school lunches and that he has to pay it or the kids don't eat? Ethical and moral and issues aside, is that legally justified that what the custodial parent uses support for is purely discretionary?

    The ex has made recent choices that significantly increased her living expenses, such as buying a house that by her income alone, she can not possibly afford. Its her life, and her choice, but there are kids involved so that choice has a big impact on how she seems to use child support.

    Thanks for any help or insight. This really is a friend in need I'm helping. I am not afraid to talk in the first person when its me in the dumps.
    I just wanted to answer the bolded part of your post. Your friend is not legally obligated to pay anything other than what is in the court order. Therefore, if it is not in the court order for him to pay for the school lunches, legally he does not have to.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    WV
    Posts
    115

    Default Re: Appropriate Use of Child Support

    If the kids are going to school with out a bag lunch or money for lunch eventually the school is going to call cps. This is going to be considered neglect. Since the dad is not required to pay anthing other than child support the case will be on her. Many things can happen at that point so be prepaired. Schools are mandated reporters and something like this usually gets reported.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    6

    Default Re: Appropriate Use of Child Support

    Thank you all for replying. You've all been very helpful. I hope I can repay the favor.

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