What If?

Ought_Six · 02-26-2007, 09:37 AM

During lunch on Sunday, the topic of Child Support came up. My sister and I are both divorced. We both have children, whom we adore. I pay child support willingly and consider it my duty. My sister's ex refuses to pay and is about to face the courts for a second time. Evidently, he owes over $6,000. My sister was describing what goes on and how crowded the court room is, as the court deals with quite a few "dead-beat dads" at one time. A thought struck me, what if there was a monetary incentive for dads (or moms) to pay child support?

Granted, all dads (or moms) should willingly support their children. This is not the question. The question is how to better provide for the children. If the person paying child support could deduct the amount they pay from their gross wages, they would pay less in taxes. This would be a net gain for that person. Or perhaps it would be a good idea to allow both parents to claim a child as a dependent.

Now, if this incentive is offered...what could be the gain? I think more dads (or moms) would willing support their children. This would reduce the court load (read - less money for taxpayers to spend) and increase the amount of money available for the children. In my sister's case, she would have have $6,000 more to spend on her kids. That translates to a lot of new clothes, maybe a slightly warmer house, better food and so on.

I have always considered offering an incentive to be better than just a threat. Yes, the law should go after the dead beats...that isnt even a question. But, could an incentive be good for all the parties involved?

kevin1 · 02-26-2007, 01:54 PM

Around here the County Judge Executive has the cops round up as many deadbeat dads every Father's Day as the jail will hold, if they need more incentive than that they weren't gonna pay up anyway.

Red Lion · 02-26-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: kevin1

Around here the County Judge Executive has the cops round up as many deadbeat dads every Father's Day as the jail will hold, if they need more incentive than that they weren't gonna pay up anyway.

I like that. Maybe they should make deadbeat dads have "DeadBeat Dad" license plates on their cars as well?

I really think that all parents not willing to at least provide financialsupport to their children, are sorry.

Buster T · 02-26-2007, 02:13 PM

Won't work

Why ? You are trying to band-aid the problem, instead of fixing whats wrong. A cash incentive to do what you are legally bound to do ? Thats absurd.

You want to really make a differnce ? 30 days hard labor in leg shackles in the hot sun for every month you're late - that'll get those SOB's attentions, and word will spread to NOT miss the payments or there'll be hell to pay

burniegoeasily · 02-27-2007, 11:17 AM

Garnish wages. If the dead beatdoesntwork, do not allow the walfare.

Red Lion · 02-27-2007, 11:54 AM

One of the problems is that a lot of deadbeats will work for cash and avoid having wages garnished.

burniegoeasily · 02-27-2007, 02:21 PM

Very true Red. But in that case, I think the IRS should be contacted. Uncle sucker will want his share.

Buster T · 02-27-2007, 03:57 PM

My brother worked the child support thing much the same way - he stuck to lower paying jobs because "she" would get all the money from a higher paying one.

"She" actually takes most of the child support money in a lot of cases I believe, with the kids getting scraps - its what I've seen way too often, a way to "get back" at Dad's for leaving

Champlain Islander · 02-27-2007, 04:20 PM

Won't work because they are dead beats. Often it isn't about the money...they just don't what is right. Give them a tax break for doing what they are legally required to do and then who pays. The loss of tax revenue has to be made up by someone.....you, me and all the other people who respect the system and do what is right.