An unofficial look at CS payment amounts. chat & forums.

According to my math that is $59.40 just for a months/31 days; supply of milk. I did use the optimum 5 servings/day.

I didn't intend on having to defend my choices, but I feel like I have to

Regarding my decision to stay home with my kids:
This was NOT soley MY decision. My husband (at the time) and I BOTH decided that it was in the best interest of family for me to quit work and stay home with them. My kids are used to me being home with them and if it's possible for me to continue to do so, then I will. My ex is happy that the kids aren't in daycare and has no problem with me continue to stay home. Without getting into all the specifics of what happened in my marriage, I'll just say that it was his decision to end our marriage, and he has a lot of guilt for the choices he made and it makes him feel better that this piece of our children's lives hasn't change.

Regarding being "dependant" on my ex:
Yes, I suppose I am. However, I was "dependant" on him when we were married by being a stay at home mom. The economy sucked when we were still married, yet I still stayed home to raise our children - not to sit on the couch and eat chips - to raise our children, volunteer at school, keep the house clean, make dinner, etc. All those things that many people don't consider to be important. I am still doing all those things plus many more since I am the only one here now. So I am still dependant on him for income. And if I got a job at KMart, I would be dependant on KMart for income. Guess I see it is the same thing.

However, I have an advanced degree and could get a job in my field easily if I wanted/needed to. I also have plenty of money coming in from child support to pay my bills

As far as scheduling excessive amounts of activites, I can agree with that, SOME Custodial Parents do it. However, I do not think ONE sport is excessive.

"1 year for every two years or 1 year for every three years" as their guidelines. I was married to my second wife 8 years therefore I paid alimony for 4 years.

***50hrs x $7.25 = 362.50 or $18,850 year...

One could ask why would you have children or undertake finacial responsibilities when you are barely able to finacially provide for yourself?***

I'm assuming she was married when the children came along, and between both incomes they could support the kids just fine.

GEESH...why don't people think about what they write before they write?

In my particular case, my ex is unemployed, refuses to find a job, and was this way for most f our marriage. (Yes, I know, how could I stay with him, how could I have 4 kids with him, yes it's my fault for staying with him, etc. etc. Please don't go into that.)

hell has no fury like a woman scorned

EQUAL RIGHTS start with both genders taking on EQUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

but, if a parent can manage to survive on the court ordered support they get, how come so many NCP's are facing such financial hardships really? If two or three manage on say 20 to even 50 %... how come one can not do it on what is left?

I work a minimum of 50 hrs each week and at times have worked up to 80 to support my kids. At least 80% of my pay is to support them.

[PDF] CMAR - Boise, IDFile Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
Analysis of the Boise, Idaho Housing Market as of July 1, 2004 ... costs. As of the Current date, the rental market is entering the third year of .... approximately $600; the average rent for an 800-square-foot apartment is $625.

On the same note, I am not going to accept all of the blame for my marriage failing. I tried and tried. I even accepted the fact that he wouldn't get a job and tried to work around that. But I did not make him decide to get a separation and not tell me. I did not force him, or even tell him too for that matter, to go out and find himself a couple of girlfriends.

I don't ever expect to see a dime from him in the form of child support. And this means that in the state of South Carolina, he will eventually end up in jail, because my circumstances right now are such that I have to go and apply for family assistance. I need to apply for daycare vouchers so that I can work and my children will be in daycare of some sort. But once I apply for these things DSS will be going after my ex for child support and there is not a thing I can do about it. But I need to do what is right for my kids and that means getting a job and getting back on my feet so that I can take care of them without that government assistance.

As for me, I'll never understand why a parent willingly provided for their children while committed to the other parent, but complains about doing so once the relationship is over

Yes, you do need extra money for him also, but if you don't have full custody or joint custody then the brunt of caring for and raising your child is falling to your ex. Their is a lot more to raising children than just money. There is the discipline, the homework, field trips, PTA, cooking, cleaning, and laundry, nightmares, illnesses, confusion about the separation/divorce to deal with, boy/girl issues, after school activities, etc, etc, etc. all on top of working as well. Not that I am complaining, in the least bit. So if you aren't dealing with all of this stuff, and you aren't contributing to doing these things or contributing to his bills, then what exactly are you doing to help raise your child, other than trying to impress everyone what a great father you are?

I understand the boys want to be with their Dad and are at an age where they will respond to his guidance and advice more than they will mine.
I don't think that my ex or my boys fully understand the consequences or reprucussions of the choice they want to make.

^^^LOL...you really hate the fact that because of the circumstances I am in, I can afford to work part-time don't you?
I would not even attempt to provide you with a resonable explanation of why I refuse to allow my minor child to live with his Dad full-time...I'll let you believe it is becasue of the $700 in support I get every month..

I can do without all the child support and minimal tax benefits I get for having primary custody of the boys....ONLY IF I sold the house that has been the constant secure place, or I guess the home base for these kids for the majority of their life.
I am only working part-time....and will continue to have that schedule until my 4yr old daughter is in school full-time. I did it for my boys and she deserves nothing less.

I cannot think of a really good reason for scraping by to make ends meet to keep a 2000 sq ft home for one toddler and one adult to live in.
I do not have the same attatchment to our house as my boys do. It was purchased for them and their needs. It was really always their home..I was just a boarder so to speak.
I could take out an equity loan to stay here if I wanted too...but I am not prepared to risk my daughters finacial security to do that.
I kinda feel like I have always been the parent who has been accommadating and compramising with my ex when it comes to the kids.
So how come now matter what I do or say...I will still be the bad guy?

I asked my Ex if he would be willing to having a split visitation where he would pay 50% of what he currently does for the next two years.
This would allow me to continue to work part-time (like I did with both boys) to be home for my daughter. Considering I have forgiven a considerable amount in child support from him previously I was surprised at his reaction.
He really dosen't care if I am in a position where I would have to sell the house.
He figures since he lost everything....more than once...that the boys will adjust to me selling the house.

^^^^You haven't decided?....who said it was your decision? Your kids are old enough to have an opinion on the course of action you should take about any arrears do they not? The problem with most ncp's is....their kids are clearly never worth the potential upset or legal investment to go to family court are they?

HPotter
Its not just about the ex's. I have come across many of custodial parents that don't want nor need the support money. The judge however see's things differently and orders CS regardless if the custodial parents wants it or not.

In my situation I am going to have a hearing soon and my main objective is for Custody and access. The support part is way down on my list of what is truly important to me.

Tax credit does not make any difference , then why you oppose it when I suggested that the CS payer should Get it

We have already discussed this. There is no such credit for $9600 or the $2000 you had mentioned in other threads. Just ask any parent or non parent here.

Many people live in apartments, not houses. It takes a down payment to have a house. If you live in an apartment, you may have to upgrade from a 1 room apartment to a two room apartment, because you need a room for the child. That's a significant rent increase.

I am family-life education professional.

Average Rent for Two-Bedroom Apartments in 2007
$647.00 per month
Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. 2007.

Apartments in Montreal
The advantages of renting an apartment in Montreal also make it difficult to find the right one. Services such as Louer.com will greatly help in your search, however rent prices and location are important to consider.

One can expect to find a one-bedroom Montreal apartments for approximately $600 to $800 CDN per month, and between $700 to $1200 CDN per month for a two-bedroom apartment. Of course, these are just average prices, and they may vary depending on a number of factors (number of rooms, quality of apartment, nearby services, etc.).

Without a kid, you can manage very well on public transport. Some people with kids have no choice but to manage on public transport even though it's hell to do so, because they don't have the money. A car is expansive as hell, if you include the cost of the car, insurance, license, registration, and gas, not to mention repairs. With a kid, especially a infant who must be transported in a special crib, you may not have the choice to get a car.

If the logic is that it takes two parents to adopt a child, then two lesbians or two gay parents are a couple, just like a heterosexual couple.

And second, single moms ARE allowed to adopt, in many states, certainly in more states than the number of states that allow LGBT marriages, for instance.

That remark stinks of homophobia.

- Children need AS MANY responsible, caring, nurturing, attached ADULT role model as we can provide them while they grow up. Two is better than one, yet three would be better than two, and so on. These attached adults can be anyone, not just the biological parents, so long as they create real bounding relationship and act as models. Not "role" models - simply models.

I have seen many NCP Dad's suggest that they share the tax deductions to maximize or gain the available tax credits available....how sad is that?....It all comes down to dollars and cents dosen't it?.....NCP's dollars and the CP sense....

Tealwood

LOL...what happened to your arguement about they both earned $2,000 per month or $22,000 per year...or $24,000....and then went to the fall back $80,000 and $20,000?

These were two different made up scenarios, try to follow the conversation will you.

A women that has 2 children 100% full custody and a man who was making $40,000 per year as a computer nut went to family court . The BC courts ordered that the dad paid $550 for child support. Shortly after, the dad decided he wanted a career change. He wanted to start up his own business in land scape design so he went back to school for a year to learn about his interest's and after he was finished he started his own business. The father had not paid any child support during this time and was in arrears approximately $40,000. He went back to court and tried to have his amount owing lowered due to his lowered incomes. The judge looked at it as he was deliberately under employed and still had the full potential to be making $40,000 per year, so no changes were made to the amount owing in arrears or any future amount.

True Story.

I know for a FACT that any and all daycare expenses and extra cirricular activity expenses paid by the NCP are tax deductable for the father if he chooses to pay them according to the equalized calculations.

CHILD CARE EXPENSES DEDUCTIBILITY

In certain circumstances of shared custody the higher earning spouse may in fact be able to deduct child care expenses. Again, the deductible of these expenses can be highly beneficial. The maximum claim for a child under age 7 for child care expenses is $7,000 per year and it reduces to a maximum of $4,000 per year for children over age 7.

These expenses must be paid for child care, nursery school, day camp, or an educational institution.

Tealwood you have obvious issues towards women but that doesn't give you the right to come into a forum and try to steal the thread by bashing the women in it. We are not your ex's, don't treat us as such.
Getting back to the topic at hand...........................................

So dad has a high quality of life, how would one increase the quality of life for a child living with mom and not expect it to benefit mom.
Do you think mom is going to eat kraft dinner while across the table babe is eating steak and lobster?

Of course it will benefit mom too, I'm not saying it wouldn't.

Or is it better to have Dad in a mansion eating Steak and Lobster while mom and child are eating craft dinner all because dad is spiteful.

LOL...what happened to your arguement about they both earned $2,000 per month or $22,000 per year...or $24,000....and then went to the fall back $80,000 and $20,000?

I would suggest the father is required to pay cs to support his children...But then the question is required to be asked....why would he marry some bimbo who is unable to actually earn an income? And why is this woman not capable of actually earning an income...perhaps she just figures she can get by on her good looks...or she as a woman feels entitled to being taken care of by a man...nothing better than watching some woman who at 20's was the cat meow...and had everything...and the guys would do anything for....when they reach 30 something...they find the " bloom " is waning and can no longer get the guys to fall over themselves...to please her...

Now I would have thought that you had integrity...pride...that you were actually capable or earning your own income...????as opposed to living of the avails of some man...I think there is an occupations that has done that....but then they actually earn an income...

I refuse to get into another flaming war with some man who thinks yet again they are above everyone else.

You were not in my relationships, so you do not know what happened, being beaten, my daughter being beaten, being cheated on is NOT MY FAULT, nor is it any other womans fault. If you think we deserve it then you seriously have issues.

How come your single? Must be your fault eh?

Very lame....very cheap....I was contacted by victim services and given a referral...but it seems they service did not accept men.....the reality was...I allowed the abuse....the physical assault to occur and the verbal and emotional garbage to escalate and be part of the relationship. That was something I allowed.
But then i reached a point where i would no longer allow or tolerate it.

Why am I single. Because I choose it. Or perhaps because I am unable to attract decent woman or good looking woman. You can come up with whatever comment you feel best suits your need for an answer. But part of the reason I am single is attributed to me..or my choices.

The problems that was part of my marriage was my doing. I allowed it to occur because I felt I was not good enough for anything better...or I was unable to get anything better. That was my problem or my issue's in allowing the problem or the verbal emotional assault to occur. When it became physical and i allowed it to occur because it never actually physically hurt...then again it was my fault because I allowed or enabled the physical assault. Then there was a day when I realized that i did not care...I did not care what happened..i did care what the response might be...and i ended the marriage. Not because i was hurt or afraid of being hurt...i was afraid that I no longer cared about getting into trouble if I retaliated.

My issues..or my own lack of self confidence in who i was allowed or enabled my ex to physically assaulted me...when she felt anger..or her depression/anger boiled over.

Bottom line...you suggest 4 destructive relationships....you need to look in a mirror and realize that you are equally responsible in that you attract that type of man....or you are equally part of the relationship in respect to where it breaks down.

I walked away. I realized that I did not need a relationship to be happy. I am satisfied being single if the relationship or partner is not what i am looking for.

Who cares if you are cheated on. The reality is the relationship was not what you thought it was...if they are cheating...and then the reality is...it is you...not the ex who made the miscalculation. At the end...i am sure my ex cheated...and who cares. I never did...I later realized the only considerations i needed to worry about was myself.

There are more than a few woman on this site who i have great admiration and respect for.....you just are not one of them as you seem to have this affection for hiding behind the victim label.

A self confident independent individual who is capable of earning and forging their own way in life does need someone else to support or provide for them or their children. A user...a leach or someone who looks for someone else to provide for them..someone who is unable to actually provide for themself and their children are then perhaps more inclined to tolerate or enable this situation...because they need someone else to pay or provide because they are themselves unable to do so for them,self....so yes...they are just as responsible.

It might be illegal but it still happens. I was reading not too long ago all about it in Cosmopolitan magazine. They were listing the trades, and the stats on how much men in each trade get paid and how much women get paid. Men by far made more for equal work.

Sorry to those who are looking for an intimate encounter, I wont do one-night stands. I have morals.

I kind of know what its like, I got just this week dumped off one of the websites I do because a young kid who knows absolutely nothing came along who's father owns a computer store here in town. He now gets the website job, no notification or anything to me, goes to show you, if you are male and young you can get the job and keep it more often than a woman can.

Ok Tealwood, you have caught a couple mistakes that I have over looked lets try it your way then. I was leaving out the government subsidies because I felt that was a separate issue. There are parents out there that don't get any subsidies and this is not the parents contribution. I also based this on basic not including extra things like daycare, sports, etc. There are a lot of things that can influence the cost of raising a child.

Babe’s Bill’s
250- Household
+500-basic needs
=$750

Mom and babe bills combined
1000-Household
500- babes basic
+350- moms basic
=$1850

there parents out there that don't get any subsidies and this is not the parents contribution.

Province or territory of residence British Columbia
Total number of children under 18 years of age 1
Your net income $21,000.00
Your working income $0.00
UCCB income $0.00
UCCB repayment $0.00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CCTB online calculation results
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Basic monthly amount $108.91
National Child Benefit Supplement monthly amount $168.75
BC Family Bonus monthly amount $0.00
BC Earned Income Benefit monthly amount $0.00
Total monthly amount $277.66

Simple math....suggests $2,000 x 12 is $24,00.00
Simple math suggests $277.66 x 12 is $ 3,331.92
Simple math suggests $220 cs x 12 is $ 2,640.00
_________
$29,971.92 custodial parent

Simple math suggest $2,000 x 12 is $24,000
Simple math suggest-- $220csx 12 is $ 2,640
_______
$21,360 non custodial parent

Now why not talk about more simple math where we talk double tax credits for custodial parents.....and how daycare costs are based on gross income as opposed to take home or disposable cash?

So lets talk about disposable cash and then talk about the non custodial being involved in the childs life....and how they will pay for the costs of having a second home where the children will be safe or feel comfortable in.

And you child is not your roommate....and why not try some simple math as many cs calculations factor 150 to 200 square feet extra per child in housing cost for children....which is not your 40% shared costs you suggest.

But keeping it simple...Dads cost is $750 and so is Mom's $750 with extra $250 being baby cost...which is then divided by 2 or $125 for each parent to assume.

yet you have the baby cost as being $400....which some might suggest as additional spousal costs...or double dipping....and you wonder why some guys do not like giving money to some woman who will not pull her weight....

But where is the extra $700 you purport the father has?

Obviously I missed the lesson from my mom that said "jennifer let a man always pay for you".

It's not even about blame...this is all in response to a post bashing single mothers. A lot of single mothers are good, intelligent, educated people who just happened to have a failed relationship, like we all do, for whatever reason. I will not, however, blame myself for my ex's actions. Nope. I put up with enough over the years and thank God it finally came to an end. :-)

I went to the movies (first date) last week with a guy not only did I buy my ticket but I bought his

bout it like this those that bash single mothers/fathers and don't want to be with them, it is their loss. Who would want to be with someone like that anyway? Not me that's for sure.

Now if you're giving enough in the first place (I say 400 a month is sufficient for 1 child) then I don't agree it should go up just because your income does.

I'm wondering how much of that is the case? I would think that the supplemented costs of two children would be a lot less than what it would be to "maintain a standard of living" per se.

In Canada we are to exchange tax returns each year to show income changes. So once a person is divorced, if they go off and get a better career or become more successful, they can still have their CS rates changed as I understand it. To me, that is wrong. It is wrong as it can penalize success and reward a lack of success. A recipient doesn't need to strive to be successful as long as the payer is.

I am not obstructing my boys from seeing there Dad....just living with him full-time.

if my Ex wants to take me to court for custody...he can first explain to the judge why his kids are consistantly absent from school and why he has never ever paid the table guideline of support.

If Dad's like my Ex had genuine interest in raising his son's...the issue of child support arrears wouldn't be an issue...or would it?....back to you....

^^^^How do you manage to lick your own (insert word ending in hole here) without a brown chin or a sore back ? You truly amaze me futureshock.....but I admire your shit disturbing skills.
Suppose I agree with you about men having the option of "opting out" of child support cause they were foiled by a temtress with designs on living off a man's hard earned wage

I understand the boys want to be with their Dad xxxxxxxx.

I don't think that my ex or my boys fully understand the consequences or repercussions of the choice they want to make.

I can do without all the child support and minimal tax benefits I get for having primary custody of the boys....ONLY IF I sold the housexxxxxxxxxxx.

I am only working part-time....and will continue to have that scheduale until my 4yr old daughter is in school full-time. I did it for my boys and she deserves nothing less.

I cannot think of a really good reason for scraping by to make ends meet to keep a 2000 sq ft home for one toddler and one adult to live in.

What seems fair to me is that people start owning their mistakes...or misjudgements and take responsibility for the actions that caused their personal circumstances....sounds fair to me...JMOT

Of course your son's don't see the truth of the situation, and I hate that the only response I have to this is: Hopefully, they will, when they are adults, and are parent's themselves. Hopefully. Doesn't do a damn thing for needing the pain of what is happening NOW, to lessen.

God, it so hard, raising children as it is... the emotional hell made that much worse when an a co-parent Ex decides to play their shit ... especially through your children.I used to get the, "Oh it's so sad that your children's father refuses to have anything to do with them. " And, I always replied, "It is.... but yet, it isn't."

OP, to my knowledge, in addition to the non custodian parent's revenue, the CS calculations in Canada also takes into account :

- The revenue of the custodian parent
- The % of time the parents are sharing the kid's responsibility

So I am a bit confused as to how you arrive to the example numbers you are providing, without knowing these two variables.

[6] The most significant aspect of this dispute is that the mother has a demonstrated history of denying access of the daughter to her father. Her position seems to be that because the child is “of tender years” and that she has been the primary caregiver that there should be no access by the child to her father.

[10] In the result, therefore, an interim interim order will issue granting custody to the father. If mother creates difficulty in turning the child over to the father than the Peel Regional Police are requested to assist in locating and apprehending the child for delivery to the father.

[11] Dr. Piatek should show a high degree of reasonableness in working out the access issues with Isabelle’s mother. Accordingly, access to the mother will be by agreement failing which mother will have access alternate weekends commencing March 28, 2003, from Fridays at noon to Mondays at noon. The motions are otherwise adjourned to April 28th, 2003, at 10:00 a.m

But when a 2 income household becomes a one income household there is a significant difference in anyone's standard of living. And rather than having to have the government make up the difference, the non custodial parent contributes to the bills for the children. I am in no way suggesting that the OP is not trying to be responsible or anything of the sort.

Will someone please get this bitter , hateful person out of this forum? Please? I mean, really. Child support is a way to keep the non custodial parent down? To keep them with the lowest standard of living possible? Please! Did it ever occur to you that when 2 people have children they are both responsible for those children? That's what child support is. It is the non custodial parent contributing to the responsibility of raising their children. In my case, my ex has been unemployed for most of my marriage. He has never stepped up and tried to help in any way. In my case, the child support would be a great help in paying my bills, even though I do make more money than my ex. So no, I am not trying to keep my ex in a lower standard of living.....I just want him to help pay the bills, same as most single parents.

My most valued virtues are integrity, honesty and commitment. I strive to live by the example of these virtues, and hope to find a partner who values those virtues as well.

Every situation is different. Yuo don't know mine so calling me foolhardy and arrogant is an insult and you can kiss my ***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know in my situation, I am and always will be the final say of whats best for my kids and not because I am the custodial parent, but because their mom is and always will be a f***ing moron (see now you are making me call a loser a loser, when I've been trying not to). You don't know what I've been through, and I pray you never have to go through it yourself.

I never said anything about the custodial parent being better than the non CP. But when the nonCP isn't being responsible for his/her part of raising the kids, then why is the CP wrong in not trusting that they could do a better job or equal job of raising them? If he was responsible he should have kept up with his CS to prove his concern with their well being.

I know whats best for my kids and have proved that and even the 13 year old agrees. I've given her my advise and let her make her own decisions on some things and she came back and said " you were right dad, I should have listened to you

Every situation is different

Me thinks that maybe your listing yourself as a 'social' drinker leaves some to question how you define social drinking - and, frequency, for that matter -

SSD: It is far cheaper to pay the child support. Raising them costs way more. Child support doesn't even cover a quarter of what it takes to raise them.

What part do certain men ( ok... people) NOT GET???

** M'k... those that don't even have, or haven't even HAD children? Puhlease... **

It's not up to the kids. It's about what's in the best interest of the kids. Seems the dads wants and needs have been more important than his kids. If he had been doing his part, she may not have issues with the kid going and staying with him. Whats in the best interest of the kids is not up to the kids to decide. That is why they have parents or parent in her case, being that he has not done his part other than be the cool dad they have fun with but doesn't want to support them.

Believe what ever you'd like about spanking, but please don't call it discipline; discipline is character building. Frankly, if any of you believe that hitting anyone builds their character, you're an idiot. There is no need to excuse your behavior, but blatant ignorance screams. Spanking your children is not a mere personal preference, it is a conscious choice. In my opinion, it is the choice of those who are self absorbed, too lazy to try other less convenient methods or not interested in educating themselves. I am not convinced that the spanking alone proves anything about IQ, but I would challenge some of those die hard spankers to try some other method suggested in ANY book, and see if there is a difference in your child's behavior.

I've met at least one girl that uses her kids as an excuse to play disappearing act while she was serial dating/leading on like 5 guys at once. She didn't think anyone would notice she was ditching her kids on her mom's doorstep every time she wanted to go out.

Yeah, we notice that stuff, ladies

As single parents, shouldnt we be trying to support each other and not feeding into the single parent sterotypes?

And the more capitalist BS propoganda you feed yourself and your kids instead of using your heads and instilling proper value systems that revolve around your children... the worse its gonna get.

Single parents, are they abusing the welfare system?

That'd be a No.

No i dont work full time, I work a few times a month just to hold on ties to the field i eventually want to be full time in.
But the welfare system has nothing to do with my choice to stay home, as a capitalist at heart, I moved to the Keys to work the hospitality field, scraped pinched and saved, and I love those big spendin Canadians and Yankees that snowbird dearly for it, from a few good tourist seasons to save and invest so i could afford to have more children and stay home.
Had i not moved to the Keys, I would have never been able to stay home.
Now that my youngest darling is in school, and snowbird season is up-coming, I cant wait to go back to work

Available leave is not good enough.

And for as much as that may offend your sense of moral character and you find it confronting.... just like what you're doing vehemently spouting that you do it all... and properly at that... offends me.

Ive had employees like you.

They're a pain in the a$$ and I either reduced their hours to more suitable to me... or let them go because they were NOT doing their job properly and were inconveniencing me.
You will not cost the company time or money.

I also suspect he has said something to the kids (from what they have said to me) about not having to pay child support if they live with him....I feel like I have been cornered into being the bad guy no matter how I react to what is going on!

If he did that here in NC he could get into some big trouble it could be seen as alienation of affection which is illegal here.

Hate to say it Lawyer up. He's looking out for him now you need to look for you.

My other son (who is 12) has decided he also wants to live with his Dad. I can't say I am really surprised at this, but I am a little pissed at my ex for making me the bad guy by telling my 12 yr old to ask me if that is okay!

I cannot think of a really good reason for scraping by to make ends meet to keep a 2000 sq ft home for one toddler and one adult to live in.

I don't think that my ex or my boys fully understand the consequences or repercussions of the choice they want to make.
I can do without all the child support and minimal tax benefits I get for having primary custody of the boys....ONLY IF I sold the house that has been the constant secure place, or I guess the home base for these kids for the majority of their life.
I am only working part-time....and will continue to have that schedule until my 4yr old daughter is in school full-time. I did it for my boys and she deserves nothing less.

I cannot think of a really good reason for scraping by to make ends meet to keep a 2000 sq ft home for one toddler and one adult to live in.

Child support is intended to give the child the same QUALITY of life they had prior to the break up. The system is not perfect and I know it doesn't always turn out that way, but that is it's intention. If the child is participating in sport prior to the break up then sports money is part of the child support. If you did not pay for that while together then child support won't cover it. It has nothing to do with the parents and their ability to live and everything to do with the child and their quality of life.

I think alot of people needs to step back and reevaluate what is needed versus what is wanted. I go into a lot of peoples homes (married and single) and can't believe all the extras they have that they think are necessary.

But these are your kids why don't you want them to have the very best you can provide. Getting really tired of hearing people complain about cs.That's your child pay it be done with it and move on. Once again it seems its always about the money. "I shouldn't have to pay for this" talk about sense of entitlement. How about just doing right for your child and trying to give them the best.

“The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry

That really is a shame that she is only getting just over $500 for 3 kids.
Here in NB Canada ... during the non-winter months you receive $809 a month and $909 during the winter months to help out with hydro costs. That is only with one child and it goes up per child. Speaking from experience

Some of the arguments and opinions of those here... seem less reflective of the fact that Im doing something "wrong"...
... and more reflective of the fact that you simply dont have a choice because of your own system...
... so therefore feel the need to take issue and berate those that do have the opportunity.

Wow... seriously... some of you open your mouths and type without reading what was already said and presume things.

Im 41 years old. My children are 12 and 15.
So my career is put on hold as a full time position until my job is done rearing my children. I'll look towards that when my son turns 15 or 16, I'll see how he goes.
Once that is... then I'll go back full time. In the interim Ive incrementally increased and adjusted my hours as long as it doesnt impact the kids or my budget and what we as a family are both entitled to and is given to us because the aim of our system is to help families move forward and achieve more whilst maintaining the variances of family units dictated by current standards... not hinder them.

That even though I grew up in a welfare environment... it goes to show you cant buy class
My mother taught me better... when she stayed at home to look after me.

any people disagree with it, one of the reasons that child support is based on a percentage of income is because the children should not have to deal with one parent living in poverty while the other isn't. Even given what he pays out to the other kids, it sounds like he has more than enough money to live off of and this change, if you gave some back, would merely be making things actually equitable for your kids

My ex pays me about 60% of what he should be paying according to the guidelines.
I simply cannot afford to pay for all of my 16 yr olds expenses on top of giving half of the $730.00 he gives me every month.
My ex makes 3 times the salary I do and loves to live "in the moment"...
I should probably point out that he pays his ex girlfriend close to $1200 a month for kids he hasn't seen in 3 years...yet hasn't been bothered to take this woman back so he could adjust the CP his own bio children are entitled too.

^^^^^^^WOWsers!!! bitter much?
I suggest you call up rev canada and ask for a rebate on half of the extra ordinary expenses you refused to pay for BECAUSE you couldn't claim them!
Honestly....your too much...I bet it hurts your back to kiss your own ar$e the way you do....it is a talent...

Shelter (and the associated expenses keeping a roof over their head), food, clothes, daily school expenses.

In Canada, in addition to "Child Support", we also have S.7 (special and/or extraordinary) expenses which include things like daycare, prescriptions, dental, eyeglasses, orthodontic treatment, sports and recreation, expensive (i.e. overnight) school trips...and probably some other things I've forgotten.