Age of child care

[424Smudge]

What is the name of your state? Arizona

My husband will be going back for child support next month. I have been told that the age in Az where daycare is no longer required and therefore cannot be claimed on child support is 10. The children are 8 and 10. Does that mean that she can still claim child care for the 8 year old or can the 10 year old watch the 8 year old. Before I get responses saying that that is too young don't worry they aren't actually in day care mom was assigned an income because she is not working and therefore she was also alloted a child care amount.

 

[mom22boyz]

From what you are saying, husband's Ex does not utilize childcare, but has both income and childcare costs imputed since she is SAHM, correct? Unfortunately, I found this link from the AZ Dept of Economic Security that states that AZ is one of the states that does not have a legal age for which a minor is allowed to stay home alone. It only states that CPS will investigate circumstances where a child aged 6 - 9 is left for more than 3 hours, so I guess technically it is not AGAINST the law to leave a 10yo, but will that count to reduce C/S? I'm not so sure.

http://www.de.state.az.us/dcyf/cps/guide.asp#What are the guidelines for the age that a child can be left home alone while we are at work

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state? Arizona

My husband will be going back for child support next month. I have been told that the age in Az where daycare is no longer required and therefore cannot be claimed on child support is 10. The children are 8 and 10. Does that mean that she can still claim child care for the 8 year old or can the 10 year old watch the 8 year old. Before I get responses saying that that is too young don't worry they aren't actually in day care mom was assigned an income because she is not working and therefore she was also alloted a child care amount.

I think that you were "told" incorrectly. While I do not know the specific answer for AZ...I do know that in most states its 12 or 13.

 

[424Smudge]

Under no circumstances should a 10 year old ever be allowed to 'watch' an 8 year old. Unless of course you want CPS at your door. If I were your neighbor, I'd be the first to call.

You evidently failed to either actually read all of what I wrote or failed to comprehend it because I very clearly stated that it was not an issue that the children were actually staying home alone even though I would not put it past her.

From what you are saying, husband's Ex does not utilize childcare, but has both income and childcare costs imputed since she is SAHM, correct? Unfortunately, I found this link from the AZ Dept of Economic Security that states that AZ is one of the states that does not have a legal age for which a minor is allowed to stay home alone. It only states that CPS will investigate circumstances where a child aged 6 - 9 is left for more than 3 hours, so I guess technically it is not AGAINST the law to leave a 10yo, but will that count to reduce C/S? I'm not so sure.

That helps a bit but my question perhaps I can do some more digging around becasue that site helped a bit but not in reguards of the CS amount she can be credited. I normally wouldn't care but if she isn't taking them to day care then I find it slightly unfair that my CS is 218 dollars a month more because she was credited it.

 

[stealth2]

I find it slightly unfair that my CS is 218 dollars a month more because she was credited it.

Uuuuh, sweetie? It ain't YOUR CS. It's your husband's.

 

[424Smudge]

Uuuuh, sweetie? It ain't YOUR CS. It's your husband's.

Yes true but when my husband blew out his kneecap and could no longer hold a job it then became my responsibility. Due to the fact that money doesn't just apear out of nowhere and it is still his moral and legal responsibility to ensure that those children are properly cared for, I have been paying the child support. And as a married couple his money is my money and my money is his so if HE has to pay more then I have to pay more. Get it?

 

[LdiJ]

Yes true but when my husband blew out his kneecap and could no longer hold a job it then became my responsibility. Due to the fact that money doesn't just apear out of nowhere and it is still his moral and legal responsibility to ensure that those children are properly cared for, I have been paying the child support. And as a married couple his money is my money and my money is his so if HE has to pay more then I have to pay more. Get it?

You are missing one point though. The reason why daycare has been imputed is because your husband had the courts impute a wage to her as well. Therefore your husband also recieved a benefit on his end of the calculation.

You could certainly run the numbers on an online child support calculator and see if he would be better off to neither impute a wage for her or daycare. However, if he had an attorney when child support was set, odds are the calculation came out better for him the way it was done.

Also, if your husband is truly disabled then it might be possible to reduce child support on that basis.