r/ChildSupport 5d ago

Connecticut Child Support fairness?

Hi,

I am separated almost 4 years (not legally so technically married but not living together). It has taken a long while for dad and I to come to an agreement on child costs. The last two years he’s given me $225 a week for two kids and he makes more than me. This is not thru the courts.

Recently he’s been asking me to let him keep $100 if the kids spend more than 2-3 nights with him. It’s rare that it happens. I have the kids 90-95% of the time. They spend the night once a week but that’s also not every week because his schedule for work constantly changes supposedly. On those weeks, he’ll see them after school or bring them to work half the day.

I have relented on some occasions when he switched his work schedule knowing that I needed him to watch the kids because I was going away for work. Meaning that he originally had worked his schedule so he would be off, but once the date got closer, he no longer has the days off and he needed to call out if I needed him to cover child care. So he then has to take off work using sick days at a lower pay, so I gave him the $100. The request has come again and I am uncomfortable with giving the money back because the costs do not go away just because they spend a few nights consecutively away from home once every few months. He’s been badgering me and calling me ungrateful because he pays for expenses into my home and his. I remind him that he’s not paying for my expenses, he’s paying for support for his kids. He’s also not even covering therapy costs for our kids which I am paying $300 every week or two. The costs are adding up and his passive aggressive remarks are getting to me.

In this situation, should I be giving back funds when he’s asking because he has the kids? I really don’t know. When I bring up therapy costs, he says the kids wouldn’t even be able to go to therapy if they weren’t on his insurance that he pays for. He has state insurance through work and he pays $$50 a month for the kids to be added so I don’t see how this can even compare. I know it’s only $100 here and there but I feel like it’s becoming more and more frequent.

Guidance please for people dealing with similar situations. Is this a normal thing to happen during child support agreements? Thank you!

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u/AGirlInTheCityy 5d ago

I hear you! Is it not for child costs? The only reason we haven’t divorced is because of health insurance and we have almost been married for 10 years. If we divorce before then I lose retirement benefits from his state job. We are a few months away.

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u/PianistNo8873 4d ago

I’m sorry, you lose retirement benefits from his job? No wonder he’s acting this way.

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u/AGirlInTheCityy 4d ago

What does your statement even mean? He’s the one who told me this a year ago as why he doesn’t want to divorce yet. I had no idea and it does not effect what he is paid when he is retired. We were together over 20 years. Just not married as long.

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u/AllieBaba2020 4d ago

Well at 10 years you can collect on his SS if his earnings were higher during that period. Many places do (or at leat used to) consider 10+ years long term, giving you more claims. Are you sure his pension requires 10 years to collect? I know wasn't the case with me...ex or current husband. Google [state] child support calculator.

The child support is based on a state regulated calculation, the cost to actually raise a child is an entirely different matter. Support orders are based on year round annulized...not for instance 10 months a year and they get 2 months to not pay if they have them for 2 months in summer.

Sounds like you are primary custodial parent...you have to maintain a home, utilities, etc etc for them even on days they are with him.