this is for post Idea # 137
Its not linked to my account so I have done it this way...
http://opengov.ideascale.com/akira/dtd/2600-4049
As child support stands a non-custodial parent is pays 33% net of his/her income –that is before taxes and other items.
However, once it has been paid the parent has no rights to know what the money is used for. The non-custodial parent (child supporter) must pay taxes on this money and receives no tax deductions!
With no legal means to know if the money is being used to support the child or children, and no legal tools to prevent abuse of the money. The parent is able to bring the other to court every three years and ask for an increase.
It would be fair a just have the options (by law) in support money deposited in a "child support" account and transparent to both parents and the courts.
Also, child support should be tax deductible in helping the financial sacrifice made and supporting two health and affordable homes for the children.
--For too long the child support has in times been used as a weapon of power over another and is unfairly balanced in favor of one parent -this is sexist and suggested the other is not of equal in parenting. The person paying child support has very little legal tools to monitor what is to be money for the children.
Living, food, clothing, medical are examples of what the money is rightly needed for. Beer, drugs, parents clothing, concert tickets are some examples of items that could be considered non-supportive while the other sacrifices financially.
Comments (6)
They pay a percentage of their income AND the child support recipient can ask for an increase? Wow!
I would favor divorce settlements being handled by a non-government organization, preferably the one that married them.
As a second, less favorable option, I would remove the ability to ask for an increase.
Lastly, I would support this option.
I believe the law was created at a time were generally men were walking away from the family.
I believe it was a backlash to punish and assume the father was the less responsible figure.
This is not the case today where the trend has reversed and more women are opting out of the marriage then men.
The heavy burden of child support is a factor (but a need) in what is called “deadbeat dad or mom” I believe some (not all) people run away because they can’t feed themselves with such a heavy burden and with no insight to the lives of the children -where is the will to want to stick a round?
I do agree with the need for child support.
How about connecting all the states CSE systems so that deadbeats cannot run from their CS responsibilities? I think the number of parents that don't pay what they are supposed to, outweighs those that abuse what support they do get.
I agree, deadbeats are not good. My experence has told me abuse is on both sides including lawyers, I'd like to see more equality over all for the children.
Caseworkers are an example of where the government royally fails us. They are underpaid, and there-by most of them are bottom of the class graduates... OR they are so harried, and swamped that they cannot handle the load upon them. AND underpaid.
How can they possibly be able to understand a situation that they don't have time to really pay attention to?
How can any? If some claims abuse the man will be slapped with a restraint faster then you can wash the shampoo out of your hair.
To counter some of the abuse, I would suggest very stiff penalties for abuse of the system like this. but still, what can you do, you got protect people from difficult and dangerous situations.
At least something of this kind would make a lawyer think twice before suggesting this quick fix and power tool in a divorce.
Have you noticed how many cases of kidnapping are the parent? I wonder what else is going one? I believe the natural instinct of any parent is to be with the children and when removed, forced, wrongly it can create an even more unstable situation -all in the name of getting the upper hand.