Child support reduction, fair amount?

[Nevergrowup]

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

I need assistance in determining what a fair amount of child support would be.

Background:
My ex (never married) is court ordered to pay $500 per month. He lost his job, I left my job to start my own business, we both have added children to our households. The amount previously is court ordered but we agreed on it, we did not go by a calculator.

Further, we split medical although usually it is just copays and I don't bother asking for it. We did split braces 50/50. He is ordered to carry medical although he doesn't provide it now since he is unemployed, but she is covered under my husband so it is a non issue, I am not petty about trivial amounts of money.

She is involved in two extracurricular activities that we both agree on, and I pay 100% of both of them (they are costly, one is about $1000-$1200 per year, one is over $2500, she travels with that one in a National youth organization). We both fully support her being in these activites although I am not certain that would be true if I wasn't willing to pay for them, but I am! I know it is my choice though to pay.

He would like to lower cs by $175 per month. I know I don't HAVE to unless he wanted to take me to court, but we have a cordial relationship and I know times are hard. I don't want to agree to an amount though that will be detrimental to our daughter. He has chosen to have another child even though he is unemployed, so while I fee like I should work with him, I sort of feel like if he can afford that...you know where I'm going with this. Our daughter is 14 and just keeps getting more expensive!

So, I know legally I don't have to agree to anything. But I would like to work it out with him so it is fair to our daughter and works for both of us. We have gotten along for years and for her sake no one needs a fight, especially over something stupid like money, but she costs money to raise and she is in my home 90% of the time.

Suggestions? And thanks for the help in advance, I know this isn't a strictly legal question.

 

[truebluemd]

this is a decision that is clearly up to you and what you can carry on your own to financially support your child. If you can handle the loss then maybe agreeing to something temporarily would work.

Personally though, I would not allow it. I would tell dad to file for a modification.

 

[CJane]

In MO, there are several ways your ex could request a modification w/out going to court.

If it's been more than 3 years since the order was last modified/issued, then he can easily request a review through CSE.

If the income of either party has increased/decreased by more than 50% since last modification, a review can be reqested via CSE.

If HE is the one asking for the review/modification, he will likely NOT receive a credit for his subsequent child/ren.

The amount you pay for extra-curriculars will not be considered by CSE, as they are not 'necessary extraordinary costs'.

The NCP will be ordered to cover the child on insurance if/when it is available 'at reasonable cost' through his employer. That's standard.

The child's age will not be considered in determining child support.

While it might be possible to show that Dad COULD be employed and COULD be making $X, it's difficult to get an income imputed via CSE unless you can show compelling evidence that the NCP is not seeking employment, or is underemployed through choice and not necessity.

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