Financial Manipulation in Custody Cases
Hello, my name is Jason Lile. I am a fathers’ rights attorney in Tulsa, Oklahoma. So, I want to discuss for a second something that occurs in some of my cases that can be difficult for my clients, especially my male clients, and it’s this. Sometimes the custodial parent or the other parent will use the child as a form of financial manipulation, okay? And here’s what I mean.
Visitation and custody should be independent of financial issues, but oftentimes those two things are conflated and confused or used to manipulate one party over the other. For example, a custodial parent may tell a non-custodial parent, I’m not going to let you see the child unless you pay child support. Now, you are legally obligated to pay any court-ordered child support. You should pay child support even if you’re not to protect yourself, but it absolutely doesn’t mean that you should not be allowed to see the child. That needs to be addressed separately in court.
The second thing that can happen is that sometimes extracurriculars or things that aren’t included in a child support calculator, such as tax benefits, those kinds of things can be used against a party. The child might have social security benefits, disability benefits, or anything like that the child has. If they are being used in a way that is not in the child’s best interest or as leverage against the non-custodial parent, then you definitely need to consult with an attorney as to how to defend yourself against those kinds of manipulations.
How to Protect Yourself
If you are dealing with a custodial parent using financial manipulation against you, there are a few steps you can take. First, make sure you are up to date on all court-ordered child support payments. While this does not guarantee you access to your child, it does protect you legally.
Second, keep detailed records of all your financial transactions with your ex-partner. This includes child support payments, but also any additional expenses related to the child. Having these records can be helpful in court if you need to prove that you are being unfairly manipulated.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to seek legal help. An experienced family law attorney can help you navigate the legal system and ensure that you are being treated fairly.
Get a Low-cost Strategy Session
If you are dealing with financial manipulation in your custody case, don’t hesitate to reach me, Oklahoma child custody lawyer Jason Lile, at tulsafathersrights.lawyer.
