Divorce Advice for Men | Fathers Rights Divorce | Child Custody

By Jennifer M. Paine

Michigan Divorce Lawyer

The simple answer to the tax question, "can I deduct child support?" is no. And forget about paying alimony, which is deductible, instead of child support.

The IRS can treat payments as child support despite what you call it if the payments are paid out as child support would be – during the child’s minority, in amounts that fluctuate with fluctuating income, childcare needs, etc., and so forth.

However, you might be paying expenses for your children that are deductible.

By Julie Garrison

Special to DadsDivorce.com

Today’s divorced dads who have been awarded physical custody of their children have a heavy burden. They are pioneering a societal movement with little-to-no role modeling to fall back on.

Dads are similar to the suffragettes of the 1930s who campaigned for equality with men. This is exactly what dads are doing in today's societal and legal environment. They are fighting for the right to parent their own children.

These courageous dads are evolving into role models for future generations of men.

Question:

I am wondering if I am legally obligated to continue paying for child care costs if my children do not need child care during my parenting time.

My ex-wife and I agreed to split child care costs in our divorce decree since we split child custody and parenting time 50-50. Now that I am getting remarried, my future wife is able to watch the children during the days I have parenting time so we do not need child care.

Am I still obligated to pay half of the costs of child care even though I will not be using child care services?

Question:

I pay child support and child care expenses and they are clearly separated in the divorce decree. Several years ago, my ex starting working from home and cancelled child care so I stopped paying for those services.

Now I receive a letter from child support services saying I owe tens of thousands of dollars in child support arrears because I was not paying the full amount.

How do I defend myself from being responsible for years of child care expenses that I did not pay because the kids were no longer in child care?

Question:

My ex-wife and I share child custody, though she has the majority of parenting time during the day.

When our child stays with my ex during her parenting time, she often has her mom over. I know she is our child's grandma, but this woman has mental issues and is teaching our child inappropriate behaviors.

Is there anything I can do to stop it? Can I petition the court to restrict my ex-wife's mom from watching our child?