Missouri Child Support Question

[CJane]

What is the name of your state? MO (duh)

This is probably a stupid question, but I seem to have lost my 'clear thought' faculties today.

I am using a 'form 14' child support worksheet to try and figure up what my ex should be paying in CS. Previously, I had no child care costs, and now I do, so I'm trying to figure out if the amount he pays would change significantly enough to justify trying a modification...

This is what the worksheet says:

Reasonable work-related child care costs of the parent receiving support:

The stupid question part is, do I include my TOTAL child care expenses, or break out what I'm paying for the kids that are actually my ex-husband's? I know it seems like it should be crystal clear, but here's where the confusion comes in...

The worksheet also says this:

Health insurance costs for children who are subjects of this proceeding:

Since for health care it specifies "children who are subjects of this proceeding" and for child care, it doesn't, I'm unclear on what number to use. The difference is significant.

 

[Zephyr]

the only child care related to your ex is that of the children you have in common- so use the amount you pay for those two kids- the child care for the baby is an issue that will need to be worked out with his dad and that cs case

 

[CJane]

the only child care related to your ex is that of the children you have in common- so use the amount you pay for those two kids- the child care for the baby is an issue that will need to be worked out with his dad and that cs case

Well, that's what I thought too. Until I saw that insurance thing. Ya know?

Regardless, I've figured up the numbers a few ways....

1) With total child care amounts included, and the baby-daddy paying support (which isn't happening)
2) With total child care amounts included, and the baby-daddy not paying support (reality)
3) With only child care for the two oldest included, and the baby-daddy paying support
4) With only child care for the two oldest included, and the baby-daddy not paying support

Interestingly, it breaks down like this...

1) $633/month
2) $707/month
3) $417/month
4) $474/month

For the baby-daddy support, I used the amount that the Form 14 gave me when I inputted ONLY the child care amount for the baby. ($681/month)

SO. If I only include the girls in the calculation, then it amounts to about a $76 increase in CS/month, which is about 1/2 the child care amount. Don't know if that's worth it or not.

 

[Zephyr]

Well, that's what I thought too. Until I saw that insurance thing. Ya know?

Regardless, I've figured up the numbers a few ways....

1) With total child care amounts included, and the baby-daddy paying support (which isn't happening)
2) With total child care amounts included, and the baby-daddy not paying support (reality)
3) With only child care for the two oldest included, and the baby-daddy paying support
4) With only child care for the two oldest included, and the baby-daddy not paying support

Interestingly, it breaks down like this...

1) $633/month
2) $707/month
3) $417/month
4) $474/month

For the baby-daddy support, I used the amount that the Form 14 gave me when I inputted ONLY the child care amount for the baby. ($681/month)

SO. If I only include the girls in the calculation, then it amounts to about a $76 increase in CS/month, which is about 1/2 the child care amount. Don't know if that's worth it or not.

he works full time and you work full time- why should each of you NOT be resposible for half? especially given the history here.....

 

[CJane]

he works full time and you work full time- why should each of you NOT be resposible for half? especially given the history here.....

Well, personally, I think he should be responsible for more than half considering he's violating the court order by even making me seek out child care. But the court doesn't really care what I think, do they?

TO ME, it's totally worth it to get that additional $/month. I just don't know if the court will see it that way. It's about a 20% increase over what he's currently paying.

 

[LdiJ]

Well, personally, I think he should be responsible for more than half considering he's violating the court order by even making me seek out child care. But the court doesn't really care what I think, do they?

TO ME, it's totally worth it to get that additional $/month. I just don't know if the court will see it that way. It's about a 20% increase over what he's currently paying.

If he has actually filed his appeal, or you are certain that he is going to do so, then its probably wiser to leave it alone for now. Generally a judge is reluctant to make modifications while an appeal is in process.

 

[CJane]

If he has actually filed his appeal, or you are certain that he is going to do so, then its probably wiser to leave it alone for now. Generally a judge is reluctant to make modifications while an appeal is in process.

I'm certain he's filing it, though we haven't been officially notified of such. My attorney was copied on a letter that his attorney sent to the clerk's office, requesting transcripts of the hearings for the purposes of appealing the court's ruling.

I had wondered about the whole modification pending appeal, and that was being weighed in my decision as well.

OT for this board, but are they also loathe to hear contempt charges when the decision is being appealed?

 

[Zephyr]

I'm certain he's filing it, though we haven't been officially notified of such. My attorney was copied on a letter that his attorney sent to the clerk's office, requesting transcripts of the hearings for the purposes of appealing the court's ruling.

I had wondered about the whole modification pending appeal, and that was being weighed in my decision as well.

OT for this board, but are they also loathe to hear contempt charges when the decision is being appealed?

what did he do now? ooooor what are you planning to do????

 

[LdiJ]

I'm certain he's filing it, though we haven't been officially notified of such. My attorney was copied on a letter that his attorney sent to the clerk's office, requesting transcripts of the hearings for the purposes of appealing the court's ruling.

I had wondered about the whole modification pending appeal, and that was being weighed in my decision as well.

OT for this board, but are they also loathe to hear contempt charges when the decision is being appealed?

Generally they really don't want to hear those either. I honestly can't believe that he is appealing, he lost soooooo badly and he and his wife made such fools of themselves in court.

 

[CJane]

what did he do now? ooooor what are you planning to do????

Heh. I'm the most well-behaved mom y'all have ever met. You know that.

He's...

* violating the daycare provision
* lied (or was 'mistaken') about dates for dental appointments
* did not inform me of actual dates for dental appointments (different incidents)
* has withheld school info re: orientation, final grade cards, library books, lunch money accounts, supply lists
* has denied me my 2 weeks w/the kids for the summer (in writing) because I refused to let him keep 4 months worth of child support
* sending SMom to pick up the children even though he's specifically ordered to do so
* refuses any and all contact while the children are with him
* took the kids to MN over his 2 weeks w/out informing me even though it specifically says in the order that the other parent must be informed of out of area trips
* is planning to take the kids out of school on the 18th and take them roughly 300 miles away for a weekend float trip - has not informed me of such yet (and I don't anticipate him doing so)

AND he put in writing that 'joint parenting is stupid and will not work'

 

[Zephyr]

Heh. I'm the most well-behaved mom y'all have ever met. You know that.

He's...

* violating the daycare provision
* lied (or was 'mistaken') about dates for dental appointments
* did not inform me of actual dates for dental appointments (different incidents)
* has withheld school info re: orientation, final grade cards, library books, lunch money accounts, supply lists
* has denied me my 2 weeks w/the kids for the summer (in writing) because I refused to let him keep 4 months worth of child support
* sending SMom to pick up the children even though he's specifically ordered to do so
* refuses any and all contact while the children are with him
* took the kids to MN over his 2 weeks w/out informing me even though it specifically says in the order that the other parent must be informed of out of area trips
* is planning to take the kids out of school on the 18th and take them roughly 300 miles away for a weekend float trip - has not informed me of such yet (and I don't anticipate him doing so)

AND he put in writing that 'joint parenting is stupid and will not work'

I can't wait to hear about what the judge has to say about that----did you ask him if he would prefer you having sole custody?

 

[CJane]

I can't wait to hear about what the judge has to say about that----did you ask him if he would prefer you having sole custody?

Nah. I think I'll save that one for later. He does want to move, after all. Maybe I'll decide to file for a mod around the same time. COC and all that.

 

[ceara19]

I can't wait to hear about what the judge has to say about that----did you ask him if he would prefer you having sole custody?

I'd just wait and let the judge ask him that question. With all of the other things he chose to put in writing, it may be more along the lines of an ORDER instead of a "question".

 

[BL]

I'd just wait and let the judge ask him that question. With all of the other things he chose to put in writing, it may be more along the lines of an ORDER instead of a "question".

Exactly , Because a Judge will certainly get sick and darn tired of the litigants before the Court on frequent basis , therefor , either for or against one , the Judge will had have his fill , so to speak , and make it clear .

Better it be the offender that files instead of the offended , and what the heck the sega goes on and on and on , like an energizer battery .

 

[CJane]

Exactly , Because a Judge will certainly get sick and darn tired of the litigants before the Court on frequent basis

Ya know, BL, you consistently make posts in my threads alluding that my ex and I are frequent visitors to court rooms. You either have me confused with someone else, or you have a VERY different definition of 'frequent' than anyone I've ever met.

I've never understood what your issue with me is, but if you could explain it, that would be fabulous.