Reduce Child Support MI

[MBuck]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

Hello. My husband and I are currently trying to modify child support in monroe county. My husband has joint legal and physical custody and has the children 1/2 of the time. He pays for his daughters dance, volleybal mostly all sports. We buty school supplies and clothing for both children (ages 15 and 12). They ask us for everything they need because their mom has repeatedly told them, "ask your dad, i don't have that kind of money." In late october I went onto the schools and zero money had been paid to the lunch accounts. My husband is very dedicated to taking care of his children and we do everything in our power to give them what they need. We also pay 80$/month in before school daycare for the 12 year-old. Currently, we are paying 450/month, which may not sound like a lot, but when you have to pay for everything else on top of the additional 450 it is very, very difficult. My husband is a teacher and does not make a ton of money. We insure both children as well. For what we don't pay all of, we split with her. In december we had a bab of our own. What are our chances and how do we go about getting the courts to side with us and reduce support. We tried a few years back and they said, he agreed to it so too bad. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

Hello. My husband and I are currently trying to modify child support in monroe county. My husband has joint legal and physical custody and has the children 1/2 of the time. He pays for his daughters dance, volleybal mostly all sports. We buty school supplies and clothing for both children (ages 15 and 12). They ask us for everything they need because their mom has repeatedly told them, "ask your dad, i don't have that kind of money." In late october I went onto the schools and zero money had been paid to the lunch accounts. My husband is very dedicated to taking care of his children and we do everything in our power to give them what they need. We also pay 80$/month in before school daycare for the 12 year-old. Currently, we are paying 450/month, which may not sound like a lot, but when you have to pay for everything else on top of the additional 450 it is very, very difficult. My husband is a teacher and does not make a ton of money. We insure both children as well. For what we don't pay all of, we split with her. In december we had a bab of our own. What are our chances and how do we go about getting the courts to side with us and reduce support. We tried a few years back and they said, he agreed to it so too bad. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

"WE" are not modifying the court order; your HUSBAND will be modifying the court order. Are you a party to the court order.

Now, what does it state in the court order about who is to pay for what?

Now, my daughter's account usually doesn't have much in it for lunch. You know why? Cuz she PACKS a lunch to school. It is NOT criminal to do so. Secondly, do the children qualify for free/reduced lunch because of mom's income level?

 

[MBuck]

I apologize for saying "we", It's just that I love these kids and feel as though I support them, as I have a second job because his income doesn't cover their expenses secondary to child support. There is nothing in the divorce paperwork stating who is to pay for what. That is also a reason for going back to court. We would like some clarification. I should let you know that the mother has been to vegas, bahamas, florida, california and on a cruise in the past three years and has never taken her children. We don't vacation except short weekends and to visit family, because we wouldn't think of not taking the children. I mean "we"!

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

I apologize for saying "we", It's just that I love these kids and feel as though I support them, as I have a second job because his income doesn't cover their expenses secondary to child support. There is nothing in the divorce paperwork stating who is to pay for what. That is also a reason for going back to court. We would like some clarification. I should let you know that the mother has been to vegas, bahamas, florida, california and on a cruise in the past three years and has never taken her children. We don't vacation except short weekends and to visit family, because we wouldn't think of not taking the children. I mean "we"!

Who chooses to have the child participate in:

He pays for his daughters dance, volleybal mostly all sports

.I choose to put my child in activities that I can AFFORD. She does know what the word NO means. Children can grow up well rounded and NOT participate in every activity.

As for mom traveling, it's called "none ya". She chooses to travel. You choose not to. All a matter of choices.

 

[MBuck]

I respect your opinion. thanks for the insight!

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

Michigan is a shared income state when computing child support. The child support will be set at the amount of time that is in the court order. So, if the court order is for a 50/50 split and the husband was to pay $450, then there was a pretty good disparity in income. The children could very well qualify for free/reduce lunches.

 

[MBuck]

you sound like a great mom. i'm sure that you'll raise PERFECT children

 

[MBuck]

Michigan is a shared income state when computing child support. The child support will be set at the amount of time that is in the court order. So, if the court order is for a 50/50 split and the husband was to pay $450, then there was a pretty good disparity in income. The children could very well qualify for free/reduce l

 

[MBuck]

According to the shared economic formula, my husband should be paying 189 per month. however he was not aware of this formula when he and his wife divorced and his lawyer told him it would be easy to reduce support, but he should be happy he got 1/2 custody since he's a man.

 

[MBuck]

They have reduced lunches and she stil won't pay. I'd be happy to pack their lunches, however I can't pack them lunch when they leave from her house. We aren't about to let them not eat lunch 1/2 the year. Maybe that's none of our business either, but we aren't like that!

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

you sound like a great mom. i'm sure that you'll raise PERFECT children

No parent is perfect.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

Since there appears to be some ambiguity in the court order, your husband may want to request mediation to hash out points, such as 'who pays for lunch on their time', split of extra curricular activities, school supplies etc. My MICHIGAN order doesn't state as much either.

 

[MBuck]

Aww. don't be so hard on yourself!

No seriously. It's just difficult feeling all of the responsibility when she's off doing whatever she pleases for herself and the kids suffer. I'm sure we do try to overcompensate because we feel badly that their mother is how she is. I just want some advice on how to go about reducing support. It's impossible to give the entire situation on a post and your opinion isn't going to change our decision to go to court; however it has been helpful in terms of understanding some of what may come our way. Just looking for tips or advice...not to get torn apart.

 

[MBuck]

Since there appears to be some ambiguity in the court order, your husband may want to request mediation to hash out points, such as 'who pays for lunch on their time', split of extra curricular activities, school supplies etc. My MICHIGAN order doesn't state as much either.

Thank you! That's exactly what I'm looking for. Will we have to go to court if she won't agree to what the mediator says or vice versa?

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

You never stated how long ago the last child support hearing was. A child support guidelines will cover the regular support issue, medical care and child care. Since the child is 12, that is now a non-issue.

The other items generally go under the regular court order and how those are split. Since the hearings are in front of a referee, you should be able to combine the issues.

Now, when it comes for the extra-curriculars, that can fall under 'parental choices.' Does mom have to pay 1/2, 1/4, whatever if she doesn't feel it's appropriate? Same with dad. Should there be a dollar limit on how much parents are willing to contribute towards extras? THAT is why mediation would be necessary.