What amounts do parents typically pay in child support? What experiences, have you or someone you know, had with it?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Idon'tdateyou

I'm not a step mom but did date a couple of men with kids and this issue goes both ways. While it is wrong for a new spouse to attempt the parent to stop child support, sometimes the child support is increased because of the new spouse's salary. The men I dated for paying so much in child support, alimony and mortgage and had they married me the child support at least likely would have increased because I was making more than these guys. They were paying this money (and rightfully so)there was so little money for dating and it's partly why I split with them (that and the other issues like drama). I stayed friends with these guys but one did remarry and the new wife found herself helping to support his previous family. There's no way I would want my salary to help support a man's other family so I avoid dating men with kids (including grown).

They gave you one heck of an excuse to not marry you. At least in my state. Spouse's salary and assets aren't used to calculate child support.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Stagemomma

His argument is that now that his wife will be home to supervise while he travels for work, my youngest will be spending more time at his home. She has said she wants to do that, but I don't think it will really happen.

Don't let it happen. Don't let him have her for more than half the year because the new state's laws will be relevant when he takes you to court to reduce child support.

Originally Posted by Stagemomma

I'm thinking of suggesting that we make it based on a daily rate. Divide her share of the support by the number of days in the month. Then at the end of the month, count up the number of nights she spends at his house and pay me according to that.

I wouldn't suggest that. Don't ever give up anything willingly, especially since you are paying most of her expenses. When the child support is reduced, he'll still expect you to pay everything you're paying.

[Idon'tdateyou]

Originally Posted by Hopes

They gave you one heck of an excuse to not marry you. At least in my state. Spouse's salary and assets aren't used to calculate child support.

Actually it was me who had no interest in marrying them. In Illinois though they look at household income and there is no way I am going to support someone else's family.