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Does a father have the right to know where the child support money is going if the mother is not buying food and clothing 4 kids

Asked in Montgomery, IL - about 2 years

The children are always complaining that she hasn't gone grocery shopping or bought any clothes example the mother has received over $2000.00 in a matter of 2+ months and the kids received a package of socks and 1 pair of pants, she has moved in with her boyfriend, does not pay rent there and rents her town house out where she use to reside with the kids, she hasn't bought any groceries and if she does there t.v. dinners and the kids get reduced lunch at school, they are tired of living like this, they call me everynight complaining, my son wants food so he can make his own lunch, she never once has made him a lunch for school. my oldest is 18 & in highschool, my younger son is going to be 14. Please help!! What does a father do when he really can't afford an attorney to go to court with?

Attorney Answers (3)

David Matthew Gotzh

David Matthew Gotzh

Oak Brook Child Custody Lawyer

Licensed in IL

Answered about 2 years ago. Unless you're willing to go back into court for the purpose of modifying custody because you feel the children are being mistreated, you are on your own. The harsh reality is that for a case like this, going in without an attorney is like bringing a knife to a gun fight. Contact Prairie State Legal Services or other local legal aid organization for assistance.
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Raiford D. Palmer

Raiford D. Palmer

Wheaton Child Custody Lawyer

Licensed in IL

Answered about 2 years ago. Unfortunately no. Child support is intended for the basic necessities of life such as food clothing and shelter for the children. You cannot "track" it or insist that the money is spent a certain way. Child support is a fairly rough calculation replete with trade-offs to ensure that children have at least a modicum of support from their parents. One trade off is that the amount of support is essentially a basic percentage of net income for support, some would argue lower than it should be. Another trade-off is the one you identify - that the support payor cannot demand proof that the support money is actually being used to pay for the children's needs.

If you believe that a change of custody is required, you may need to bring a petition to make such a change. These issues are very fact specific and I cannot discuss any detailed info here since you don't provide enough information. You really need to meet with an attorney to address this.
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Ronald S. Pichlik

Ronald S. Pichlik

Battle Creek Criminal Defense Attorney

Answered about 2 years ago. The short answer to your question is no. You do not have the right to demand an accounting of where the money is going. If you believe the child is not being properly cared, or provided for you can go back to court and try to get physical custody changed to you.
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