My ex and I are on extremely good terms. He will often visit the kids, buy food such as snacks or even offer to buy tea, which is accepted. He has also paid in previous months, school fees and after school activity fees. Each month, I am not sure whether this equals the near four hundred dollars that is required in child support. He paid this one month upon my repeated request, and half this month, although he has bought possibly close to the other half in food. Should I get csa to start collecting and notify him anything in addition to this purchased is considered kindness on his part, but it has never been asked for or sought out by myself. I hate being a beggar but three kids to support and give them everything I would like to give is expensive, or am I being greedy? I would genuinely like to know.
4 Replies
No child supprot is cash money so you can choose how to spend it , otherwise some partners would use it to control their ex. Sounds like he's trying he just has the wrong idea so yes you should clarify .
I would also clarify, and say that although it's kind of him to do that you'd really prefer he paid the $400. Tell him you don't want resentment to build on both sides so it's best to keep that side of things very formal.
Of course when the kids are in his care he should be buying them meals etc
Wow. I wish my ex was that nice. He pays $20 a week in child support. For 2 kids. (I have care of the 2 youngest while he has the eldest) He doesn't chip in for anything else ever. Except for our eldest who is the favourite child. He gets spoilt. He gets football jerseys, new sports gear every season, play stations etc. the little ones I had to fight to get him to chip in $10 total for an Easter egg each. He has an income of over $1000 a week. But he doesn't declare that. I'd say that yeah you're being greedy. If you're not happy the amount he is paying then get the whole lot through child support and don't accept any 'gifts' from him again. Simple really.
have CSA collect. Gifts for the kids aren't child support. and he can claim the school fee's etc as a reduction only if they meet specific criteria.
it is so much easier not having that to badger him about just have them collect it is his responsibility to take adjustments up with them.
Also CSA at only $400 a month for 3 kids isn't really anything above what is taken in reduction to FTB that is YOUR money. he owes it to the Government its just a bit of a swift switch which is pulled fortnightly.