Child support is often one of the most contentious issues in a divorce. If you have children with your imminent ex-spouse, it’s critical to understand the ins and outs of child support, including who will pay, how much and the factors the court takes into consideration.
Also, once your divorce is in the past and child support payments begin to exchange hands, it’s critical to have a clear understanding of how the money is to be used.
It’s a myth that child support only covers essentials, such as clothing and food. It can actually cover a variety of expenses, including but not limited to:
- Food
- Clothing
- Shelter
- Childcare
- Educational fees
- Entertainment
- Transportation, such as to visit their other parent
- Extracurricular activities
Create a budget
Take, for example, someone who receives child support payments after divorce. If you’re in this position, create a budget for a clear idea of your monthly expenses. This will allow you to pinpoint how you can use child support payments.
For example, once you know how much it will cost to provide your children with basic necessities, you can determine if some or all of your child support payments should go toward this.
Keep an open line of communication
It doesn’t matter if you’re receiving or making child support payments, keep an open line of communication with your ex, if at all possible. This can reduce the likelihood of an argument, as you can get on the same page about how the money is being spent.
If your ex doesn’t care for the way you’re spending child support payments, explain to them your reasoning and keep an open mind into other options.
While family law courts don’t require you to track how you’re using child support payments, they do ask that the money go toward specific expenses.
If you’ve run into one issue after the next regarding child support, make note of what’s happening and determine if you’re in position to take legal action in Ohio against your ex. Child support payments are a big part of post-divorce life for many individuals, but with the right approach you can avoid complications.