My ex and I are split and are both parents to two children that are a year old. (Twins)
It's a given the children live with me, they go to see their dad Saturday morning - Sunday afternoon every second weekend. (He doesn't want them anymore than that, I've pushed for more visitation) Apart from C/S paid monkthy, I pay and supply everything. I send them all meals and snacks to their dads, nappies, wipes and clothing. He supplies the rest like milk and bedding etc for his house.
just wondering if the shared responsibilities of separated parents cover medical and schooling/daycare expenses? Should we be paying half half? I don't feel as though c/s covers much for twins and I'm in a hard place with money trying to support two toddlers and currently living with my parents as I can't afford a place of my own. We are in and out of hospital as both twins have development delays due to extreme prematurity and they attend childcare once a week (soon to be more days as I'm enrolling into study). This also scares me as money is already tight. I feel like I am in the biggest rut. Has anyone been in the same situation? Is asking their father for more finical support for medical and daycare expenses too much to ask for?
Responsibilities of separated parents?
Responsibilities of separated parents?
Posted in:
Kids
5 Replies
Personally I'd stop sending the nappies, food etc and just send clothes. Just give him a shopping list and plenty of notice to buy the items. Give him the verbal heads up, and then send the list via text to confirm. He is responsible for ALL the kids expenses while in his home.
You can ask him to contribute more, but he can refuse. Basically what as far as child support is concerned is if you choose to put the children in daycare in your time, that's your choice. Just like
What you can do is approach CSA about amending the child support payments based on your children's medical expenses. I had to do this for my son. So child support was increased slightly.
Make sure you have applied for all the Centrelink payments you might be eligible for. Things like carers allowance could be applicable to you and could ad $240 a fortnight to your income.
If your studying your childcare will be cheaper ((talk to Centrelink about JET and apply for it!!))
Stop sending stuff with them, like above poster said.
Also, speak to your local st Vincent's etc and ask for food vouchers. This will free up some money to put towards study, expenses, renal bonds etc. also ask them about help for housing, they can help you there too. Don't be afraid to add until your on your feet.
He can pay child support and leave every other part of care up to you. I know its hard. You do not have to supply for him as well, theyve accounted for him paying for his time with them in cs. So either change it to 0 care for cs or make him buy his own nappies wipes and fruit. It seems small but its actually expensive especially when youre a single mum and then when he loses breaks doesnt return your things. He should be doing it.
you can ask him for medical bills. Its up to him though.
daycare if its your time its your cost, again you could ask but its up to him.
Hi.
The answer below is spot on.If things are cordial between you and ex, have a chat. If he couldn't be bothered to organise stuff for the twins he may be happy to let you notify CSA that all care is supplied by you. He will pay a bit more but not as much as supplying stuff for two kids for two days.
If he wont(and he's entitled to say no) then you don't supply anything for those days except clothes as CSA is thinking he is paying for the care of those days.
My ex did everything to get out of child support so asking for extra was pointless.But I have a male friend who pays his child support and also pays half of big expenses such as school fees/braces etc. His ex wife is fortunate and has new husband as well. So there is no harm in asking. Just don't let a no from him make you down or bitter. He doesn't have to say yes.
Before school is always an expensive time for childcare/daycare/preschool. You should get help if you are studying. But I was left with four kids and it was cheaper to pay independent school fees in Kindie than preschool fees!!!
But you have to just look on the next few years as an "insurance policy" to make sure you have training and a good job for when they are older. If you don't scrimp and save/live with others etc, to study or pay childcare now if you find a job...you wont be in a better financial place later on. you can do it.Just take one day at a time.
We work the same now as when we were together, I do everything and pay for everything, except My ex has our son twice a year, one of which by court order I have to pay to fly him to his dads. Our son has a medical condition which I solely pay for, I receive no child support , every time cs catch up with my ex he changes his number, moves or gets a new job, I don't find out where he is until I book the next set of flights, twice while our son has been in his care he has changed his number, and I have been told by lawyers I can't do a thing. . . . Good luck