Child support is sometimes seen as a necessary evil among some parents. They know they need to take care of their children, and doing so requires that they pay an ex-spouse each month. The problem some people have with child support is not knowing where the money is being spent.
Some argue that child support is unnecessary if a parent has shared custody or that the support should be limited to paying only for items the child needs, like food, clothing or schooling. The reality is that child support can go to anything, from housing costs to clothes shopping for a parent, the children and others.
Why aren’t there limits on how child support can be used?
There aren’t many limits, if any, because the idea is that the support helps bring up the parent’s income and allows a better lifestyle. This means that the child receives better food, shelter and support. Yes, it may also mean that mom or dad has more money for items that might not be seen as essential, too.
There is a catch, of course, that the court will reconsider support if it’s not being used for the child at all. For example, if your ex-spouse is spending all the child support on themselves, and your child has no clothing or food in the home, then there are some bigger issues to address.
If you have concerns about the way your child support is being spent, you can speak with your attorney. You may need to take your ex-spouse back to court if they’re not caring for your child properly.