Child support can be a touchy subject between couples. The custodial parent may feel as though he or she deserves larger payments, whereas the noncustodial parent may wonder how the money is being spent. The question that most noncustodial parents have is whether the other parent has to show proof of what the money is spent towards.
How do you know the payments are going towards your children? In most cases, the other parent does not have to supply any sort of receipt for what he or she spends the money on. To understand why, it is important to understand how child support works. Every state has different rules regarding child support and receipts.
What Is Child Support For?
Most parents feel as though they have a clear picture of what child support should be used for. They think that child support should go towards tangible items, such as food or clothes for the child. The truth is that child support goes towards a child’s expenses. It can pay for rent, school activities, daycare, utilities, entertainment, and more.
The amount that a person has to pay in child support depends on different factors. Often the order is determined by the income of both parents and the ability of the noncustodial parent to pay.
Are There Rules for How Child Support Is Spent?
It may surprise you that there is generally no rule for how child support payments are spent. Most states will not require a parent to provide proof of what he or she spent the payments on. Courts believe that the custodial parent will provide all of the needs for the child and do not monitor how the funds are spent.
Now, in some states, the courts may require proof of how the funds are spent. This is only in special circumstances, however. Most of the time, a noncustodial parent has to prove that there is reason to demand a summary of how the funds were used. Some states can demand a summary at their discretion, but it is rarer.
Every state has laws that determine whether a custodial parent has to provide proof of how the child support payments are being spent. If you believe that your former spouse is not spending the funds on the needs of your child, then you should consult with a child support lawyer, like a child support lawyer from the Law Office of Daniel J Wright, as soon as possible to find out what your options are.
