Hey guys, I’m considering marrying my boyfriend who has a child from a previous relationship. He co-parents with his ex in Pennsylvania, and they have a custody and child support agreement in place. I’m feeling a bit anxious about what this could mean for me financially. I’ve heard mixed things online, so I wanted to ask if there’s any way to protect myself before we tie the knot. Is it possible to include something in a prenup that would keep me from being responsible for his child support if he ever falls behind? Also, can his ex petition for more support just because our household income would be combined? I’m worried about her dragging us to court over minor issues since she’s currently unemployed and has wealthy parents to back her up. Any advice on how to navigate this would be super helpful
From what I know, you’re not going to be responsible for his child support. They usually won’t consider your income when calculating what he owes
Reeve said:
From what I know, you’re not going to be responsible for his child support. They usually won’t consider your income when calculating what he owes
That’s good to hear. But just to clarify, does that mean I won’t have to worry about any legal obligations?
A prenup might help you a little, but it won’t change what a judge can order for child support. It’s more about protecting your assets. Just keep your finances separate
Landry said:
A prenup might help you a little, but it won’t change what a judge can order for child support. It’s more about protecting your assets. Just keep your finances separate
So, no joint accounts? That’s probably smart. What if he earns more later on? Could that affect his support?
@Whitney
Yeah, if his income goes up, it could lead to a modification of his support payments, but they won’t factor in your income directly
Honestly, keep everything separate financially. If he gets behind, the state can garnish his wages or take from joint accounts. Filing taxes separately is a good idea too
Sam said:
Honestly, keep everything separate financially. If he gets behind, the state can garnish his wages or take from joint accounts. Filing taxes separately is a good idea too
What happens if they take his tax refunds? Is there a way to get that back?
@Teal
You can file for an innocent spouse claim, but it can take a while to get your money back. Just better to avoid any shared accounts altogether
I wouldn’t worry too much about his ex. She can petition for more support, but it usually depends on significant changes in circumstances. Just keep your finances in your own name
jill said:
I wouldn’t worry too much about his ex. She can petition for more support, but it usually depends on significant changes in circumstances. Just keep your finances in your own name
That sounds reassuring. But what if things change after we get married? Could that trigger anything?
@Chen
If he suddenly makes a lot more money, it could lead to his ex asking for a modification. Just something to keep in mind, but generally, your income shouldn’t directly impact his child support
I think you should have a chat with a lawyer who specializes in family law. They can give you tailored advice according to your situation. It’s always better to be safe than sorry
Quince said:
I think you should have a chat with a lawyer who specializes in family law. They can give you tailored advice according to your situation. It’s always better to be safe than sorry
Good point. A lawyer will know the ins and outs better than anyone else. Thanks for the suggestion