Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
Summer School Reimbursement
My daughter, age 9, currently lives with her father. I do not pay child support as stated in our divorce papers. My ex husband has decided that my daughter needs to go to summer school this summer. It costs approx. $300. He thinks I should pay half. Do I have to pay this? There is nothing in our divorce decree saying that I do.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Summer School Reimbursement
First, I wanted to be clear that you are "not" paying child support as ordered in the Decree. If that is correct, you MUST start paying that child support, unless you are disabled or have some other defense to payment. (Unemployment by itself is not a defense.)
Second, if you decide to pay some portion of the summer school, you can characterize those payments as child support if the other parent will sign an affidavit of direct payments. That's not a very good way of conducting your business, but it's better than getting no credit at all.
Third, see an attorney about your risk related to the child support arrearage.