Complicated Child Support Adjustment

[nomeansno]

What is the name of your state? CO

Former spouse is Active Duty military stationed in Germany, and being deployed for six months.

Our children are 9, 11, 14. Because of his militry duty it has been difficult for him to see the kids on a regular basis. The oldest wants to spend the school year with him this coming school year (10th grade) and plans to spend her Junior year with him as well.

I've never really been without them for that long, and it's difficult to be sure but I would have given anything to spend time more with my Dad growing up, and Germany in the mix is just too good of an opportunity for her to pass up.

We are trying to get child support modified before he is deployed. It will obviously have to be handled over the phone but the judge has not had an issue with it before. If we can't get it done before he is deployed we plan for his current spouse to act in his behalf. He is prepared to give her power of attorney. Is this usually acceptable???

The main problem we are having is how to divide the child support. I will retain custody of two children, he will have custody of one (no doubt the most expensive one as well as teenagers have an expense category all their own)

How do we fill out the forms in light of this spilt custody arrangement for the school year?

We plan to do the same with all three kids as thy enter High School if that is their wish. I would be nice if we could just average out the child support for the two years one with split custody one without so we don't have to modify it every other year.

Do you think the judge would do this?

I guess the bonus here is, we do want what is best for the children and neither of us intends to dispute the courts decision on the matter. It's more a matter of making it as easy as possible on him since his military duty can be unpredictable. He can't really handle child support modifications from Iraq.

Anyone have any suggestions on this matter?

 

[seniorjudge]

There are all kinds of child support calculators on the web.

Run a few scenarios through them.

 

[Zephyr]

I couldn't find a CO cs worksheet that does split custody (that doesn't mean there isn't one though)...but if you can't find one, run the numbers on how much dad would have to pay you for having 2 children, then run the numbers for how much you would have to pay dad for having one child, subtract the second total from the first, and that should be close to what dad should pay you- unless there is massive disparity in incomes

 

[nomeansno]

Thanks, that was the problem I was having. I had guessed split custody wasn't a common scenario. I hadn't thought of running the calculations twice.

Thanks again!

Does anyone know if the current wife being given power of attorney in this siutation would be a problem? Technically she will also have custody while my Ex is deployed as well, so should we plan for that as well?

It's okay by the way, I adore her... we usually refer to each other as coparents instead of steps... She is really good to the kids, and we are very similar in parenting styles so we agree on most topics.

 

[LdiJ]

Thanks, that was the problem I was having. I had guessed split custody wasn't a common scenario. I hadn't thought of running the calculations twice.

Thanks again!

Does anyone know if the current wife being given power of attorney in this siutation would be a problem? Technically she will also have custody while my Ex is deployed as well, so should we plan for that as well?

It's okay by the way, I adore her... we usually refer to each other as coparents instead of steps... She is really good to the kids, and we are very similar in parenting styles so we agree on most topics.

Honestly, generally a POA does NOT allow someone to acts on someone else's behalf in court, because that is practicing law without a license. An attorney can do it, but not someone else.

What you COULD do, is figure it all out yourselves, come to an agreement, and then if you can't get the agreement finalized in court, go ahead and do it in practice, until you can.

 

[nomeansno]

That's pretty much how our divorce went, we filled out the papers togather with only one issue we couldn't resolve. The judge went through a few things we weren't specific enough on... so we can do that I guess.

I'm going to miss my baby like crazy, but it's going to be an awesome opportunity for her. The educational opportunities are going to be amazing.