Don't Be A Pig

My tax professor told me: You can be a bear, or a bull, but don't be a pig.

This week, a client who was paying more than twice chart child support had his support lowered to slightly more than current chart child support. He also waived six or seven months' or more of over-payments.

By nightfall, his ex-wife had told their children that their father had refused to pay any more child support, that they would not get Christmas presents, cable would be canceled, cell phones would be cut off, and they would be eating Ramen noodles every night.

But get this: The ex-wife admits to making about $7,000/month; has another few thousand/month in rental property revenues at a minimum; and will still be getting $2500/month in child support!

Of course, the kids are upset, my client is furious, and the ex-wife's lawyer doesn't respond to my pleas to ask her client not to upset the kids with her misrepresentation of reality.

Folks, please, for the thousandth time: Don't be greedy, and DON'T involve your children in these disputes. It is very, very damaging to children.