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.![]()

