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Dad Refusing To Pay Youngster Assist So Ex-Spouse Can Save for Different Youngsters Backed

A man has been backed for refusing to pay child support to his ex-wife.

In a post on Reddit’s popular r/AmITheA****** subreddit with over 14,000 upvotes, user u/No-Environment4624 shared the story that can be read here.

The dad explained how he and his ex-wife have two children aged 17 and 15 and share custody 50/50.

“We have been divorced for 13 years now. Neither of us pays child support because we have equal time with the kids and we split the costs of everything,” he explained. “I opened up bank accounts for my kids when each was born, and I have saved from the get-go.”

A file photo of a couple arguing in a restaurant. The internet has backed a dad for refusing to pay child support to his ex-wife.
Antonio_Diaz/Getty Images

Licensed practicing attorney and psychologist Dr. Jean Cirillo told Newsweek: “The courts have a formula for deciding how child support payment should be made. When one parent has primary physical custody meaning the children live with them and the other parent has visitation, usually the non-custodial parent has to pay about 17 percent of the gross income for one child, 23 percent for two children, and so on.

“In this case was a 50/50 living arrangement, so it sounds fair that both of them should pay for about half of the children’s expenses, if the parents earn about the same amount of money.”

After coming into some money a few years ago and receiving some inheritance, the children’s accounts have grown substantially. “The money I have now saved for them will help them tremendously in their futures, whether they go to college or not,” said the dad.

But an argument had erupted between the parents recently when his ex-wife asked him to start paying child support money too.

Now re-married, his ex-wife has a stepdaughter, cares for a 14-year-old nephew and has two children with her new husband.

“My ex-wife wanted to talk to me about college for our kids and she told me that she and her husband had told all their kids that community college would be the most affordable option for them,” explained the poster. “I told her that our kids would have that option if they wanted it because I have saved a more than healthy amount for them. She asked me why I never told her sooner and I told her because I was taking care of our children and it wasn’t something she needed to know.”

But a few days later, he received a call from his ex-wife when she and her new husband announced they would like the dad to start paying child support “so that they can save more money for their other children’s futures.”

“I told her I was not going to pay her child support just so she could support the other children in her home. Her husband told me I could always offer to split the money between all of the children. I told him I was not paying for his kids to go to college,” explained the poster.

Cirillo agreed that this was the correct course of action and said: “He should not have to increase his support payment simply because the ex-wife decided to get remarried and take on four more children. That is her responsibility, along with her new husband .”

Meanwhile on Reddit, where the post received over 2,000 comments, readers were quick to agree.

“They are trying to sucker you into paying for their kids,” said one comment. “Don’t budget.” Another said: “What a laughable suggestion on their part,” while one Redditor agreed: “I mean, their audacity?”

“I can’t believe the nerve of your ex. How dare she? I can’t believe she can’t grasp the concept that you’re not responsible for any kids other than your own,” said another Redditor.

“This question is almost a no-brainer. The man should put aside any need to be a people pleaser, and assert himself; saying that he will not take on the extra responsibility for children that are not his,” said Cirillo. “He is doing his best to be a good father to his own children and that is the most that she should reasonably expect from him. Otherwise, she is behaving in a selfish entitled manner. It should be added that it is highly unlikely that any court would disagree with this assertion.”

Newsweek had reached out to u/No-Environment4624 for comment. We were unable to verify the details of this case.

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