At 43, with three children, staying home is a pretty common call. My wife now stays home, giving up a six figure salary to do so. We believe the kids are better off, she is better off, and the family is better off with her home. I make a fine salary -- but losing 110K in income hurts -- period.
This case is obviously one that is fact-driven, and should be based upon the individual circumstances of each case and each family.
At 472K, contributing 4k a month to child support is not a real problem. This is a guy who is probably damn mad at the wife, and would rather have the money in his pocket. I can't blame him for that -- but this is a situation of their making.
Neither of these folks are horribly sympathetic, Particularly when most American families would love to net a total of 4K a month in their whole houshold.
It's never a problem when it's not your money.
At 472K, contributing 4k a month to child support is not a real problem
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I read it as 4k more a month...I imagine he is paying 7 or 8K. But at 472 that still doesnt give much of a bump.
Actually, the story said he had to pay $4,000 MORE a month after his wife stopped working. It never did say what his total payment was. My guess is that the were each paying about $4,000 a month, and he was required to pick up what she was no longer paying. $96,000 a year is not chicken feed, even for a guy making his salary. Is child support tax deductible, does anyone know? If these are after tax dollars, that really is a big bite.
This wife only takes care of the kids 50% of the time.
However, she wants to be fully retired at age 43 for 100% of the time......and have her ex-husband pay for it.