In an uncontested divorce, many spouses can agree on a monthly child support amount that is different from what the state support worksheet produces. In a situation like this, as long as the agreed to child support amount is reasonable and can be substantiated as appropriate by the parents, the court will often order it. Keep in mind that the court will always have the final say as to what the child support order will be, because the court is essentially representing the children.

If one or both of you already has a life insurance policy naming the other parent the beneficiary, leave it in place until there is no further duty of support. If something were to happen to you, the kids and other parent would really be in trouble and you don’t want your children to suffer. if you really don’t trust the surviving parent to spend the money on the children, make sure the beneficiary is someone who WILL spend the money on the kids. Make a will that specifies who will act as trustee of the children’s insurance proceeds.