I get two separate checks each month. Child support and alimony. The child support will not be taxed, but the alimony will. I use his child support checks to pay for food, clothes, shoes, school expenses, whatever for the kids. Honestly I don't differentiate in my checkbook what money I spend is "child support" and what money isn't. I just deposit everything, his child support, alimony, and my paychecks, and I pay my bills. He was grousing before the decree was finalized about how much money I get each month and he didn't know where it all went...I sent a rather frosty reply pointing out that I paid all medical bills, prescriptions (when you have a kid with asthma who takes 4 meds/day it adds up!), day care, etc etc. He backed off instantly...
