Child Support Agreement Vermont

[LeesyVT]

I have an 8 year old son, of whom I have had full custody for 4 years. i gained full custody after his mother was arrested on drug charges and had left him unsupervised at the age of 4. She has had many bouts of instability and drug use, and has 2 other children, 1 more on the way. She has lost her other children through neglect, but has regained custody of 1. She has almost never been employed, moves frequently, and has been unable to support herself or her children for more than a few weeks at a time. Thus, I have never attempted to collect child support. I have been gainfully employed for 5 years and have been supporting my son 100%

She has been stable for the past 6+ months, and regular weekend visitation (ordered to be at my sole discretion) has resumed. Her and her children are supported by state aid and her boyfriend, who rents the home she stays in.

My career has led me to consider a position where i would be unavailable to my son during the week. I want to consider relinquishing shared custody to his mother, so she can have him after school during the week, and I would have him on the weekends. However, I fear that the first thing she will do is try to collect child support from me. GIven that I have provided solely for the past 4 years, I think it more than fair that Im willing to take equal 50% share in his provisions. She does not have a license or a vehicle and does not contribute towards arrangements for her visitations. If I give this customdy, I would continue to provide all transportation to wherever he needs to go.

MY QUESTIONS: Can two parents draw up an agreement on contributions toward their child's needs, rather than use the child support system? If so, does it stand somewhat solid in court, should she decide to try to collect? I want to do what is best for my son, but I do not want to end up supporting his mother's lavish lifestyle while her boyfriend, unemployment, state aid, and low-income qualifications pay for all her children's needs.

[nextwife]

You may want to be certain it's 40% custody to her, and 60 to you. But only AFTER she's had sufficient time off drugs to know she'll really stay clean.. That way, if she relapses, you will still have primary custody.