Legal Question in Family Law in Florida
Spending Child Support
What can be done to assure that a non custodial parent is really spending the child support on the children and not on other things for themselves? Is there ever a chance that a judge would order the receipent to keep a log or receipts of the spending so they are accoutnable for spending it appropriately. I don't mind paying for my children; but she has paid her traffic tickets, lawyers fees, and other misc bills not related to the children with the money. What can I do? When I pick up the children on Fridays for my weekend visits, I see that they have stamps on their hands from the school meaning they had no money in their lunch accounts. I give about $800 a month for them and yet they can't have money put in their accounts by the parent who sends them to school all week?! They share clothes and I get their haircuts for them. She spends very little on them each month and has a little girl from another guy who doesn't pay child support, but she lives with him...he doesn't work. I think my money is paying for that baby too!! What can be done to ensure my boys are getting what they need with the money I send?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Spending Child Support
There is nothing you can do to ensure that she is spending the money on the children. The law doesn't require it. She can spend the money however she wants.
However, if the children are going unfed, if they aren't eating properly, if they aren't properly clothed, etc., you need to report it to DCF and file a petition for custody.