1) Marital Last Name - ExW is still using my last name on things like school papers, kids activities, financials...etc. At this point I'd prefer she didn't; she clearly has no interest in being part of my family so why should she use our name? Perhaps she's holding out for an OM2 proposal to save an extra transition? I kid. Sort of. Anyway, understood it's out of my control but I'm tempted to send a note asking what the status is there (serving as a bit of a nudge). Or, do I just let it be?
Nothing you can do about it, none of your business. You don't own her name, she does. Some women change their last name, some don't. It's a hassle. Mine didn't change her's either. She could call herself Buffy McD if she wanted to. It does simplify things for them if they have a professional reputation attached to it as well as with kids / school to keep the name that is on all the paperwork.
Originally Posted by BL42
2) Monthly Child Support Payments - 18 down, only 214 more to go! LOL. Unfortunately for me my state's laws have little bearing on the children's actual financial needs and are based mostly on the disparity of parental income, so despite ExW having a professional job and me caring for the kids 50% in agreement (and usually more in practice) I'm basically paying her mortgage & car payment. But, I digress. Support runs until age 21...so with S6 and D3 it's going to be a long road. Right now I'm writing physical checks monthly and just passing them over in a backpack or bag during a transition. Is there a better way to handle this going forward?
Follow the letter of your agreement if it specifies. I do an e-transfer on or before the 15th of each month. I like that system as I get to control when the money leaves my account. Your bank may be able to automate a payment if that's something you would want. It helps to just think of it as one more bill to be paid. Also - not sure on your jurisdiction, but here at least spousal support is taxable by the recipient whereas child support isn't. Every year I fill out a form that I send to the government and my HR person to reduce the amount of tax deducted at source based on the spousal support I pay. It comes to a surprisingly large amount.
On BD H52, W50 T27, M26 S21, D23 BD-9-Mar-16 D-15-Jan-18 Final-19-Apr-18 I am a storyteller. The story may do you no good. But a story is never for the listener. It is always for the one who tells
