I'm 17 about to turn 18 and the child support my father pays goes to my mother and I am wondering how I can get it turned over to where I can receive it after I turn 18? Because my mother basically no longer supports me and gives me half the child support that she splits it between my younger sister and I.

In simple terms, you can't.

I know a kid who is 19 and he gets his child support from his father sent directly to him... so how can't I?

Child support payments go to the parent to pay for the support of the child. If you know someone that is getting payments, then it's likely that it isn't actually court ordered.

Someone will be around soon enough to give you a true legal answer.

Child support is paid to the custodial parent for things like housing, food, clothing etc.

Your friend that is getting the payments most likely has an arrangement with their parents to give it directly to the friend rather than using it for support as it's intended.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tgirl94

i know a kid who is 19 and he gets his child support from his father sent directly to him....so how can't i?

---

I suspect that this person is not paying support by court order. In that case, the father can give the money to whoever he wants.

There are many factors here including where you live and what the court orders say. But the facts are that child support is paid by the non custodial parent to the custodial parent to care for the child. Does your mother provide a roof over your head? Does she put food on the table? It actually sounds like a good arrangement. She keeps half the support and uses it for rent, utilities, groceries and gives you and your sister half for your personal expenses. What's wrong with that?