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Back Child Support- Who does it belong to?

zerostepdrama's picture

If a CP is owed back child support and has never needed government assistance and receives a large lump sum in back child support whose money is it? How do you think the CP should spend the money?

Is is the CP's because this whole time they were soley supporting the child with their own money. CP may have went without things for themself to ensure that child had everything that they needed. Had CP had CS money, CP could have used own money earned for themselves (as needed/wanted).

CP should use the money for college fund or savings fund for child. Or if child is an adult now, CP should give money to adult child.

Thoughts?

Comments

farting_glitter's picture

yes, it should go to the CP..i say this because my OBD sperm donor owes me $9000 in BCS...I will never see it...but if I did , yes it goes to me considering I paid for everything and obviously he didn't contribute a dime...

Yosemite's picture

I guess I am torn on this. If CP supported child without help, then I would say that money belongs to CP to reimburse them for NCP's share of supporting the child. On the other hand, if the adult child in question was struggling or needed money for college, then I think the CP should help the adult child meet their current needs.

StepX2's picture

THe money belongs to the CP for them to do with whatever they want now that the kids are adults.

farting_glitter's picture

exactly!...so if I want to go get my nails and hair done, or a few tattoos with that money, then I would have every right too!.... }:)

QueenBeau's picture

I agreee wtih this. BM gets govt assistance whether DH pays CS or not. She doesn't claim that income. So I don't know why that would have anything to do with what BCS is used for.

However in our state if BM has medicaid before the father is 'found' etc they can make the father 'pay back' the money for the birth on top of CS. Seen that happen to a coworker. he's now trying to get his insurance retroactive to cover the costs so he doesn't have to pay it all out of pocket.

Shaman29's picture

If the CP was the only one carrying the financial burden for the child, then all back CS should go to the CP.

I don't believe the CP should feel obligated to give any of the money to the child (or children), when you consider the CP already paid for everything in the first place.

Disneyfan's picture

If the CP received any government assist, that amount should be deducted from the CS. What's left should go to the CP.

Sparklelady's picture

I see what you're saying taushalove, and I agree with the principle behind it. I just had a conversation with my husband the other day, and with some colleagues, where we discussed just how many parents would fight for full custody of the children if they weren't going to receive any child support at all. Of course I also assume that you are talking about people who try to get custody of the kids and then deliberately not share the kids with their exes - parents who get along fairly well and share everything fairly well, wouldn't fall under this category anyway. It's an interesting way to look at CS.

misSTEP's picture

I still am receiving...once in a great while....payments on the $12K+ in arrears that are owed for my DS23. I do spend it on what I want but also keep some in that account. That way, if I have to help out my son financially, I can do it without upsetting my DH (who shouldn't get upset but whatevs).

However, I only help if he is in a "true" crisis and that is decided by me. If he doesn't have enough money to go on his trip with friends, well, then he should have saved earlier. But if his car breaks down or something, I will help out.