Completing the CS Worksheet

[twosimps]

What is the name of your state? Maryland

My child's father and I are in the process of increasing the monthly child support payment. Although we both agree that it needs to be raised (current order is 10 years old), I have a couple of questions about income. I receive veterans diability every month and I know that at one time (or maybe even still) it was required to be included in my income, however my lawyer stated that he thought there was a new law disallowing the use of VA benefits in CS calculations. Is this true or is my lawyer just an idiot?

My second question is: my ex is currently military but due to retire in one year. Normally, I know that his clothing allowance should be counted in his income but he is only to receive this allowance one more time before he leaves the military, therefore he declined to add it to his income. Does he still need to include this last clothing payment (broken down into 12 payments) into his income on the worksheet?

I want to make sure that I have all of our numbers and calculations correct before we head to court to get the consent order signed. Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

 

[Silverplum]

What is the name of your state? Maryland

My second question is: my ex is currently military but due to retire in one year. Normally, I know that his clothing allowance should be counted in his income but he is only to receive this allowance one more time before he leave the military, therefore he declined to add it to his income. Does he still need to include this last clothing payment (broken down into 12 payments) into his income on the worksheet?

I want to make sure that I have all of our number and calculations correct before we head to court to get the consent order signed. Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

I don't know the answers to your questions. However, I will be happy to point out that the bolded sentence above sounds pretty grabby. It's a clothing allowance FOR HIM to wear HIS military uniform. You are not in the service. Your kid is not in the service. I fail to see what that has to do with you, or the child. I think it's shockingly rude, but that's just IMHO.

 

[nextwife]

I don't know the answers to your questions. However, I will be happy to point out that the bolded sentence above sounds pretty grabby. It's a clothing allowance FOR HIM to wear HIS military uniform. You are not in the service. Your kid is not in the service. I fail to see what that has to do with you, or the child. I think it's shockingly rude, but that's just IMHO.

True, it's not as if he'd have the option of spending that money on his child instead of on his required apparel.

 

[twosimps]

Silverplum - Actually, I was in the military and although a member gets that allowance every year, they do not necessarily spend it on uniforms nor is it required. As with my ex, he does not use it for uniforms because he does not wear one anymore and he has no intention of buying more clothes since he will be retiring soon. I on the other hand use my VA benefits for medications for my disability. So how does this make me sound grabby? Because I want to do the right thing and make sure the worksheet is done correctly? Both the disability that I receive and the allowance he receives are for things other than caring for the child and by state law, normally they both would be included in the considered income. My question was as to whether the clothing allowance should be included if he was only getting it one more time. If your intention is to make people feel horrible when they ask a question, then you are doing a good job. What a nasty thing to say by telling me that I am rude. I was looking for help and if you didn't have any to offer, then maybe you should not have responded. Your response was shockingly rude!

 

[fairisfair]

I don't know the answers to your questions. However, I will be happy to point out that the bolded sentence above sounds pretty grabby. It's a clothing allowance FOR HIM to wear HIS military uniform. You are not in the service. Your kid is not in the service. I fail to see what that has to do with you, or the child. I think it's shockingly rude, but that's just IMHO.

I too was picturing a military man in rags with the change falling out of his pockets and her picking it up.

 

[fairisfair]

Silverplum - Actually, I was in the military and although a member gets that allowance every year, they do not necessarily spend it on uniforms nor is it required. As with my ex, he does not use it for uniforms because he does not where one anymore and he has no intention of buying more clothes since he will be retiring soon. I on the other hand use my VA benefits for medications for my disability. So how does this make me sound grabby? Because I want to do the right thing and make sure the worksheet is done correctly? Both the disability that I receive and the allowance he receives are for things other than caring for the child and by state law, normally they both would be included in the considered income. My question was as to whether the clothing allowance should be included if he was only getting it one more time. If your intention is to make people feel horrible when they ask a question, then you are doing a good job. What a nasty thing to say by telling me that I am rude. I was looking for help and if you didn't have any to offer, then maybe you should not have responded. Your response was shockingly rude!

yeah, so get ready for another one. um in case you were wondering, filling out the form without grabbing at the sleeves of his clothing allowance would be considered to also be correct.

 

[seniorjudge]

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/pol/IM/im-9803.htm

This is very old info.

Contact the VA for new specifics.

 

[twosimps]

seniorjudge - I appreciate your help...thank you

fairisfair - grow up

 

[twosimps]

Oh and for anyone who cares, it wasn't just me wanting answers to these questions. My ex also wanted to know.

 

[MrsK]

Personally, I'd figure it WITHOUT the clothing allowance. He's only going to get it one more time, correct? Just leave it out. Maybe he'll help you with a little extra cash on the side for clothing for the child this year.

 

[twosimps]

MrsK - thank you, I appreciate your opinion. But if the future is the same as the past, he won't pay me anything more than he is required to by law. It's just the way he is. One can always hope though.

 

[garrula lingua]

twosimps said:
I receive veterans diability every month ... and
I on the other hand use my VA benefits for medications for my disability. So how does this make me sound grabby?

Every vet I know who is getting paid VA 'benefits', has their medical and prescriptions covered by VA.
Med & scripts are free - the disability VA ck is just for living expenses.

 

[twosimps]

garrula lingua - That might be the case for someone who gets 75 - 100% disability pay. At 20%, I do not get living expenses...the money is to be used for recurring treatment and meds outside of the VA hospital. I do not live near the VA hospital therefore it is difficult to be seen there. The disability that I get is not a lot. It is just enough to cover the meds and the copay for doctor visits. Not all disability is the same.

 

[garrula lingua]

If you're too far from the VA medical off/hosp, that's different.
A good friend gets 20% and full medical coverage for his 'disability - (ear)'.

 

[twosimps]

I understand what you are saying. If I lived closer to the VA, I too would use them.