Junitasweb.. not sure where you are living but I have to disagree with your statements of most women only keeping the children for the financial support. I am not sure how luxuriously one would live with an additional $80-$600 a month but just the mere suggestion is totally laughable to me. (i know there are those that get more, but just throwing a number out there.)

I am glad your bills are no higher with kids, but as a married women with two young boys I have to say that, yes, we require a bigger home, a bigger grocery bill, more electricity for things such as washing their clothes, bathings, lights, educational materials, gas to take them to and from school, activities, medical care, etc. It all adds up. How do you manage to still live like your are single with no additional costs of raising children? Its nice to hear that you didn't try to destroy your x but he should feel responsible for their care enough to HELP support them on a regular basis and not just when you ask. :)

Steve Crisp.. I agree to an extent, but what about the mother.. is she not held accountable as well? It takes two to make a baby, why in your mind should only one support it? If a family splits and that dad ends up with the kids the mother should be just as responsible in their care as the father. Sadly, the days of June and Ward Clever are over. Our society and economy has taken care of that. You don't see many divorce cases ending up with the children with the father and mother paying child support.. if you do, there is usually a very good reason. As a mother I would never dream of trying to get off the hook in helping provide care and financial support for my children regardless of the situation. I brought them into this world, I will make sure that they are provided for until the time comes they can provide for themselves (adulthood).

To the truama nurse that pays taxes.. you think your husband is a slug for TAKING child support from you? Don't you think you should help with the support of raising YOUR children? I assure you full custody will be a lot more than $400 a month and one last thing, stay at home moms don't sit around and do NOTHING. That stigma is old, I guess the kids feed, clothe, and take care of themselves? The home cleans itself? The errands and chores do themselves as well? If that's the case there would be more people staying at home. If you have to work three jobs just to make ends meet and you are complaining about having to help "support" your other children, perhaps it would have been best to wait a bit longer to bring that new baby into the world. If you work 3 jobs.. who mothers that one?

I guess I got off light... My ex used the time I was stationed in Germany as seperation (never said anything about a divorce until I got housing and called to tell them to get the movers ready). I only pay 400 a month. The only time I've been behind is when I changed jobs. I paid her directly instead of having her wait for my check to go to the state and then from the state to her. I did what I thought was right all the way down the line. SO...out of the blue the state summons me to court for not paying child support. I show them receipts from the ex showing I pay her. Instead of dismissing the case, I had to pay an extra 260 bucks for the privilidge of going to court and being served...plus my former bride has to wait longer for the check because I was ordered to send the money to the state (something that was not mandated in the divorce decree). Guess they were missing that 4 bucks every month from me....

I am divorced, and I am fighting to gain custody of my kids. Yes, I am a female that pays child support to my ex husband, who has the kids. I have been to court, but don't have the money for a lawyer, because I have to work 3 jobs, to make ends meet, PLUS I have a great new husband, and we have a baby, our marriage is great, except we don't have any extra money because of the child support I pay to my ex, while he works,and his new wife gets to stay at home and do nothing. I agree with Mr. Crisp: a man who has to take money from a woman is nothing but a slug! I have yet to find a lawyer who will take my case pro bono...I make sure I pay my child support on time...but I think the system needs improvement. Thank you! Carol Bullard, Registered Nurse, taxpaying citizen, registered voter, hard working employee that does NOT take handouts.