Recognize that as of now (much like before ) YOU are solely responsible for whatever money comes in to support your children. If or when ex-H contributes it will be like winning a scratch off game. That is how I think of it and how I "budget". I have the child support collected by the state and when he doesn't pay they go after him. We have exactly zero conversations about money - he can talk to the lady at the state child support enforcement about why he doesn't pay. It is the best arrangement to have when you have someone unreliable to deal with.
That is pretty much how I am viewing it. It's all just a bit overwhelming at the moment in terms of pure logistics and paperwork. For instance, half of the info I submitted previously is now incorrect. My H does not reside in the same state as me, his income and employer are not as stated etc. etc.Also, beyond the lack of child support, he has dumped his share of our marital debt on me by not paying towards the negative equity on our house. So basically, I either have to carry him by covering the mortgage solo or sell the house short and take the hit. If he gets a lawyer he can probably try to screw me out of half the value of my business but luckily for me, I value my inventory at cost. I'll be like "Sure, he can have 1/2 my business inventory." and ship him 10,000 volumes of Readers Digest Condensed Novels and pulp Romance.
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver
