Child support should be half of what the kid needs to live for a month.
What it really is is a certain percentage of the parent who doesn't have the majority of the child custody's pay check. Than the parent with the majority of the child custody does what they see fit to do with the money.
That money is to pay for:
Food
Rent
Clothes
School supplies
And anything the kid may need from a day to day basis.
A lot of times the parent with the custody will use their own money till they get the child support.
So it may seem like they spend the money only on them but unless you have proof the kid is not receiving what they need than you have no right to question how the money is being spent. Sadly that is how it is.
I’d largely third this. You’ll always have an exception here or there- but if what the custodial parent is able to provide themselves is not important so long as they are also providing their HALF of the child’s upkeep. If your room mate makes $70 a year and you make $30 that doesn’t mean half the rent and bills isn’t the same. If they pull up to your job in their new car dressed to go out clubbing and say: “By the way- The gas company raised rates so I’ll need another $100 from you...” well... if they paid their extra hundred for gas- damn right you owe the rest. Why should someone else have to sacrifice their money because you don’t want to pay your end?
That said if the income disparity between you two is HUGE- yeah- it’s NICE if maybe they work with you. If they put your kid in a $3000 a month private school and you only make $2500 a month but they make $15k+ a month- well... maybe they can cover your end a little. But they aren’t obligated to cover your end- and they might already be doing it without you realizing it- paying for things and not asking you for your half as a courtesy or because they don’t see it as worth the time for things that are small expenses to them or things they prioritize but know maybe you don’t- like trips to the theater or such. But when an expense is just too much or isn’t something they feel they should handle like a doctor bill- they pay half and ask for half. You don’t need to worry about your ex and how they spend their money- just if your kid is taken care of.
What it really is is a certain percentage of the parent who doesn't have the majority of the child custody's pay check. Than the parent with the majority of the child custody does what they see fit to do with the money.
That money is to pay for:
Food
Rent
Clothes
School supplies
And anything the kid may need from a day to day basis.
A lot of times the parent with the custody will use their own money till they get the child support.
So it may seem like they spend the money only on them but unless you have proof the kid is not receiving what they need than you have no right to question how the money is being spent. Sadly that is how it is.