Every Month It's a Little Off

If the divorce decree orders child support of $275 be paid and only $253 is received (consistently for years) where does the other $22 per month go? Does the recipient lose that $22?

The $22 underpayment would not be lost by the custodial parent, but would accumulate in arrearage at the rate of 12% simple interest each year. If, however, the child support is being paid pursuant to the non-custodial parent's employer's wage payment schedule (for example, a bi-weekly payment of $126), you would look at the total amount paid over the year to see if the $275/month amount was being met.

Age of Majority

How old do I have to be before I can move out of my parents' house without their permission?

The age of majority in Alabama is 19. Child support also ends at age 19, unless there has been a prior court order extending it beyond that age.

How To Spend Your Child Support

I have been divorced one year. My ex-husband is constantly on my case about the way I spend the child support money. Now he wants me to give him an itemization of what I am using the child support money for. Do I have to do that?

No. You as the custodial parent have the discretion to use the child support money however you see fit, for the benefit of the child. This could include food, insurance, utilities, rent/mortgage, car payments, tap dancing lessons, clothing, upkeep on your home, pet food, your health insurance, vacations, etc. The list encompasses just about anything you spend your money on - because all those things ultimately benefit the child. About the only thing that you should not use child support money on would be to engage in illegal activities, such as using it for cocaine or marijuana purchases, illegal pornography, illegal betting, and the like. Those kinds of things do not run for the benefit of the child - or for yourself, for that matter.