Dear Valued Users,
It's with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closure of StepTalk.org on August 31st, 2025.
This decision wasn't an easy one. For over twenty years, StepTalk has been a source of support for stepparents around the world! However, over the years, the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the site to remain secure, meet current standards and maintain availability have become unsustainable.
We are incredibly grateful for your support, contributions and the community you've helped us build. Your engagement has made StepTalk.org a special place and we cherish the memories and connections made here.
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Thank you for being a part of our journey and we wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Dawn and The StepTalk Team
Comments
It depends on your state...
State of Colorado only considers prior born children. So if DH and I had a baby, his child support would not change to BM. HOWEVER, if DH and I were to divorce, he would get a credit on the child support he would owe on our phantom baby.
Some states do take into consideration children that are born after...so I would check your state first.
"For every ailment under the sun....There is a remedy, or there is none;
If there be one, try to find it; If there be none, never mind it." ~ W.W. Bartley
What I am aware of...
As far as I know, child support only changes if for example DH and I had a baby. In Australia they consider that as the father has another child to support so they take it into consideration and BM child support changes, but I don't think it changes if she was to have a child with someone else cause that is then the new fathers responsibility not your DH. Like I said this is in Australia i'm not sure about where you live it may be the same????
In Florida...
It only goes down by 5%.....I really don't care about it, I agree with BonusMomma, that the preexisting kids should not have anything taken away from them. And yes, if you can't afford another child, don't have one...but there is that "gray area", of unexpected pregnancies, and I think that every child , first second, or whatever deserves to have their needs met just as well as the "others"."~waiting on the world to change~"
Funny how the first child
Funny how the first child should not do without less because the parent paying child support has another child...yet if their custodial parent has another child, they DO receive less from their custodial parent...Why is that ok?
In our example, crazy witch has had 2 other kids...also married a guy with TWO different child support orders...so isn't she taking away from her first child?
i completely agree
dont both parents deserve the rite to be happy after the breakup and have the family of their dreams w their "new, second family"? i dont think preexisting kids should have anything taken away but shouldnt the new children be adequately supported too??
"Given the right reasons and the right two people, marriage is a wonderful way of experiencing your life."
~the late great George Carlin
yes, in a perfect world....
that would be the way, and I can't believe it when I hear about BM's getting preggers with their new guy, claiming that they can't work anymore, and demand, and sometimes get, an increase in CS!!! Now, I don't mean to soapbox here, but marraige, and having kids needs to be taken a hell of alot more seriously, "Second families" usually do suffer from "mistakes" from the past. (please do not be offended by my term, mistakes, I do not mean children, but it's what I hear alot about first marraiges) including my DH's. IThe divorce rate is climbing, and I plan, to stress to my kids, as they get older, and start having relationships, that getting married is a life commitment, and not to enter into it lightly, or , like myself the first time around , at too young of an age just to move away from home and be out in the world (yeah, I admit it
with some one I thought I was soooo in love with.My mistake as well. "~waiting on the world to change~"