[–] 13447994? 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
In this guy's case the reality is even if sounding like blatant robbery (and in some ways it is) a couple mil per year from his big contract isn't really hurting him.
Except they almost never reduce it if income goes down. So if he stops making that money next year he still has to pay support at the higher rate like he was making that money still.
When I got divorced I used their "new and improved" calculator in my state that supposedly took into account both parents income. Funny thing is that with me making $50K at the time and her making $29K I was paying $1000 a month for 2 kids. If she suddenly made $50K too then my support dropped to $995. Seriously, she almost doubles her income and my support only changes a few dollars. Hell, there was actually the possibility of the custodial parent paying support to the non-custodial if the percentages were like 55/45 and the incomes too disparate (courts never did it but the calculations allowed for it).
[–] Canada_is_gay ago
Oh I agree. I was making roughly $130k/yr when I got divorced. It was a temporary situation where I was getting a large bonus for spending a lot of time out of the country during a project that had a definite end (and thus no more bonus). As a result she got the 80 share (cause I was often working out of the country), which upped her child support, and she got child support (roughly $1500/mo for one child) based off the $130k and her doing nothing. The project ended and I wanted a 50-50 with me then being back in the States full time, and a reduction to reflect my reduced income with no overseas bonus.
They wouldn't change custody share because that's "what the child was used to" (as though it would be some crime to have a boy stay with his father more frequently), and they reduced my child support by about $200/mo vs a well over $2000/mo bonus loss for me and stipulated that if I get another bonus situation I legally have to report it. Meanwhile, it's been several years and she still has no job and no one cares.
It's all bullshit.
[–] 13448151? 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
If there is a requirement to use a percentage, it should automatically come out of every check from both parties at that percentage as a type of garnishment. No dollar amount, just a percentage AFTER taxes and any insurance that covers the kids. Also, both parties should be required to pay. If the custodial parent does not for a period of time they lose primary custody. The bullshit has to stop and the only way is to make everyone responsible for the kids.