Who Is Responsible for Child Support Expenditure Receipts?
Child support laws can be a tangled web of confusion for all involved. Courts often become involved because the parents of young children simply cannot work out the details on their own. In some cases, it can be frustrating for the parent who pays because he or she does not know where their money is going or if it is indeed being spent on the child or children. If you are currently paying child support and want to demand an expenditure report from your ex-spouse, there are a few facts you may want to know first.
The Judge May Refuse an Expenditure Request
If you take your ex-spouse to court over how he or she is spending child support money, your request for a report may be dismissed. While laws vary state by state, most do not require such paperwork by the parent receiving the money. As such, the judge ruling over your case may not want to spend the court’s time on gathering the required information. If this is the case, then you might consider taking your plea to another court or asking your ex-spouse’s lawyer for arbitration, where an agreement could be reached.
The Receiving Spouse May Be Free of Report Obligation
Unless your divorce agreement specifically states that your ex-spouse provides you with receipts that prove child support funds are going directly to the care of a child, you may not have much recourse if you want to review them. Most courts do not have laws that compel those who receive child care to prove where the money is going, even if you suspect your ex might be spending it on items such as:
- Cosmetic procedures
- Entertainment
- Jewelry and other fashion items
You may want to ask your attorney if there is any way to amend the divorce agreement to include an expenditure report.
Make a Personal Request
If you are on good terms with the father or mother of your child, you might consider working out an agreement that allows you to review expenditure receipts together. This may give you peace of mind as you both work toward cooperating as you share the responsibility of raising your child. If you are not on the best of terms with your ex and would like an expenditure report, this may be something that could be discussed in arbitration, with lawyers present for both parties.
Child support ensures that kids do not suffer poverty as a result of a divorce. Contact a lawyer today to find out more about how you might review expenditures and what your rights are.