School Lunches and Other Expenses

My ex pays me a reasonable child support (the amount specified by the state) and I have our teenage sons about 75% of the time, though we have legal & physical joint custody.
Our divorce decree states that he is to carry the boys insurance coverage, and that all other expenses are to be shared. I should add that I am work part time because one of our sons is severely affected by OCD and needs lots of order and time and has a doctor's appointment every week.
I do work part time though as much as I can to supplement my income. Though I am married, I dont receive any cash for household expenditures from my husband, he pays the mortgage, utilities, most of the upkeep on the house, and will buy for me things he thinks I need (i.e. he noticed my sweater was severely ripped and purchased a new one for me when I was unable to afford it)
I pay for groceries, and sundries for our home, all the children's clothing, their school supplies, coats, backpacks, sports supplies, their co-pays (my son sees the doctor several times a month and has expensive medication), haircuts, and even fun stuff like cellphones, and Im the one that buys them fun things like iPods and gameboys.
Their father pays for their health insurance (which he would pay if we were married anyway) We split stuff like piano lessons, and camp in the summer.
Because Ive had a reduction of my hours in work, I asked my ex if he would pay for ONE of the boys school lunches this year. And he refuses. I can not pay anymore money, Im starting to have to use my credit card to get stuff like groceries. But I dont qualify for free or reduced price lunches because my husband and I file a joint tax return.
I should also add that my ex has taken 5 (YES 5) vacations with his girlfriend this year! And I literally cant buy groceries some days.
Any advice? I thought because our divorce decree says 'split all other costs' that that would include lunch too.

SadSarah

by SadSarah 2 Posts
Posted on 9/10/2009 7:24 AM

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Tags: money , child support , ancilary costs , divorce , lunch money

Answers for "School Lunches and Other Expenses" (2) (You must be logged in to answer)

I wish I had better advice but, school lunches fall under the items that child support (CS) should cover. If he's paying his court ordered CS in full and on time, then he's fulfilling his duty of support to his children and doesn't owe you any extra "help" if you can't make ends meet. The fact that he splits the extra things like lessons and camp is also going above and beyond unless it's court ordered. In most states ,CS is supposed to cover the extracurricular as well.

If you haven't taken him in for a CS review and think he's making more money then you can file with the courts and ask for a modification.

You are upset that he's taken so many vacations with his girlfriend, but frankly how he spends his money and how she spends hers is none of your business and it will do you no good to dwell on it. You don't know how they paid for those trips. Much the same way how you spend the CS he gives you is none of his business.

I would imagine that he probably sees you buying expensive iPods and Game Boy's for the kids and thinks that you have spent his CS on that rather than on lunches for his kids. Perhaps they don’t need so many extras if you can’t afford to pay for their school lunches. It’s not his job to supplement your lifestyle or reimburse you if you spend too much money on games and music.

Again, I wish I had better advice but if he's paying his CS he doesn't owe you any extra money no matter how you phrase it.

by Softball21 7 Posts
Posted on 9/10/2009 8:45 AM

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I would think that it includes lunch too. Post this in legal answers..our resident lawyer spaz will see it and advise.

by mtnvly 3539 Posts
Posted on 9/10/2009 8:44 AM

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