The child support you provide is meant to benefit your children — not your co-parent. Since custodial parents can spend this money at their discretion, it can be extremely frustrating if you suspect misuse of child support funds.
If you believe that your child support payments are being misused, avoid taking matters into your own hands. Instead of stopping your payments or fighting with your co-parent, adopt a more strategic approach.
Look for signs of misuse of funds
Sometimes, there are signs that child support is being misspent. If your kids lack basic necessities like proper food, clothing, school supplies or safe housing, it could support your suspicions. Lavish, unexplainable spending by the custodial parent is another possible sign of misuse.
Gather evidence
Unfortunately, evidence can be hard to come by, but thinking creatively can help. Often overlooked forms of evidence include photos of poor housing conditions or lack of proper clothing, for example. Statements from witnesses with knowledge of how the support is being spent is another form of evidence.
Seek court intervention
Before taking this step, try to resolve the misuse with your co-parent. If that fails, seek a legal solution. With sufficient evidence, you can ask the court to review the matter and take appropriate action if misuse is confirmed. The court may order your co-parent to account for how they are using the funds.
When you need to deal with the family court system to resolve child support matters, it’s crucial to have the proper legal guidance. This can increase the odds of getting a favorable outcome.