Mother’s Dilemma: To Return or Not to Return Unpaid Child Support?

Imagine having to single-handedly support your child for over a decade, all while your ex-partner shirks his financial responsibilities. Now, imagine that same ex-partner asking for all the unpaid child support back, years later, because he’s facing financial difficulties. This is the predicament one brave mother found herself in, and her response to this audacious request has sparked a heated debate. Let’s dive into her story…

A Battle in Court ️

Empty Promises

The Surprise Twist

A Plea for Help

A Firm Stand

The Ex’s Contribution (or Lack Thereof)

Another Broken Promise

Financial Stability vs. Struggle

A Tough Decision

A Mother’s Plan

A Thoughtful Gesture

Setting the Record Straight

The Extra Mile

A Mother’s Frustration

The Verdict: A Mother’s Right or a Father’s Plight?

So, there you have it – a tale of a mother who stood her ground against her ex’s audacious request. She chose to use the unpaid child support to benefit her son directly and indirectly help her ex’s new family, rather than returning the money. Her story has ignited a fiery debate, with people taking sides and sharing their views. Let’s see what the internet thinks of this situation…

“NTA

This is money your Ex owes your child, not you. If your Ex and his GF want money for their kids, then they need to get out and work hard and start making money. That’s on them.

This child support arrears is a bit of a windfall. You may not need it, but your child deserves this money and his father legally owes it. Since you don’t need the money, put it into your state’s 529 plan (or other investment account for the future, if you’re outside the US). Your son can use the money for his education or other future expenses.

Edit: Thank you for the award!” – Engaging discussion about child support and future financial planning

NTA: Keep the money for your child’s future. Ex is the a**hole.

NTA. $18,720 is what you would be owed for 12 years. In the end, that’s not even nearly enough to take care of a kid for 12 years. The amount of stress, anxiety, sleepless nights you’ve had to endure raising this kid without his help. Kids grow fast, eat a lot, have hobbies.. everything costs money. HELL NO, you’re not an a**hole. He better KEEP paying child support as well now, just because he has 3 other kids gives him no right or excuse to neglect his first child.

NTA. Dude has four kids and is supporting none of them.

NTA: Karma’s a b***h! Court order + no refund = justice

NTA. He dug this grave for himself

NTA. Deadbeat dad and his gf are both in the wrong

Reclaiming unpaid child support – NTA, bankrupting dad

NTA: He skipped out on child support. You owe him nothing

NTA demands unpaid child support, sparks petty revenge

NTA. He should have paid child support all along.

NTA 1000x. $130 a month is incredibly low and he still wouldn’t pay it. On purpose. Because he didn’t give a s**t about what happened to you or his son, as long as he could stick it to you. Now, after he went out of his way to screw you for years, he wants you to give him the only money you’ve been able to collect in 12 years? F**k no. Tell him that he will never see a dime from you, and he’s got 3 kids, so he can use whatever the hell a baby bonus is, because apparently that’s what it’s for.

NTA. Keep the money for your kids’ needs.

Stand up for your child!

Stand up for your son and make him pay up!

NTA: Ex needs a vasectomy!

NTA for not returning unpaid child support. Invest in son’s future

Claim what’s rightfully yours! Treat your son with love

NTA, put the money aside for your kid’s future needs

User shares personal experience with deadbeat father and proposes alternative solution

“NTA. The money is NOT your Ex’s. Spend it freely! “

Keep the money, it’s rightfully yours!

Stimulus check drama: Should she return unpaid child support?

NTA: Reporting them for guilt tripping is completely justified.

Don’t give him a cent! You’re not the a**hole!

Legally and morally, you’re not the a**hole. Secure your child’s future

NTA. Give back as charity, not as returning owed money.

Investing unpaid child support for your child’s future

Exe owes you child support. NTA for wanting it back!

NTA. You’ve been doing it alone for 12 years

Keep the child support for your son. NTA.

Deadbeat dad finally gets a wake-up call. Justice served!

Invest in your son’s future! NTA, save for education!

NTA – Don’t let them guilt trip you, stand your ground!

NTA: Money for child support, but you’re better off? Save it!

Keep that money! You deserve it!

NTA: You covered expenses, ex needs to pay back.

Keeping the money: NTA for not returning unpaid child support

Karma’s a**hole, but you’re definitely not!

“People can be really shitty, so if a parent ever gets that child support money, you ALWAYS keep it to support your child.”

Ex is a douche

NTA. Demanding money they owe you? That’s just plain audacity!

NTA: Let him know about the ‘baby bonus’ assistance

NTA: Get the unpaid child support and invest in your son’s education!

Keep your money! Treat yourself and your family. #NotTheA**hole

NTA. Keep the money for your son’s future.

NTA – Put the money in savings. Not your problem.

Keep the money! Your ex should’ve paid for their child

Keep the unpaid child support. IRS might tax you on it.

NTA. Don’t let him off the hook for his responsibilities!

Invest in your child’s future with unpaid child support

NTA. Keep the child support for your kid’s future.

Generous suggestion to use unpaid child support for child’s future

“NTA. Invest unpaid child support in college fund. “

NTA- Law protects you. Jail threat spared. Justice served.

NTA: Don’t let him off the hook for his mistakes!

Keep what’s yours! Money won’t magically appear for him

Generous but cautious: NTA suggests helping without giving cash.

Dodging child support catches up to him. Not the a**hole.

Return unpaid child support to ease your conscience and help your child

NTA. Challenge him in court!

NTA: Ex tried to pull a fast one, but you prevailed.

NTA. Ex owes child support. Take the money and don’t feel guilty.

NTA – Pursue the outstanding amount. Don’t entertain that BS.

Stepmom stands up for child support, calls out entitlement.

NTA: Karma strikes. Put money in secret savings for your son.

NTA. Money is for the kids, not your pride. Stick to your guns.

NTA – Deadbeat dad gets called out for neglecting his kids