Custody disputes are among the most emotionally charged aspects of family law, and when celebrities go through them, the public gets a front-row seat to legal battles that can offer important lessons. One of the most infamous custody cases in recent years has been the ongoing dispute between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
The Jolie-Pitt Custody Battle: A Long and Complicated Dispute
Since their split in 2016, Jolie and Pitt have been locked in a legal battle over the custody of their six children. The case has involved allegations of domestic abuse, disputes over parenting time, and even conflicts over the involvement of private judges. The high-profile nature of their case highlights key elements of custody disputes, including parental fitness, the best interests of the child, and the impact of allegations on court proceedings.
Key Custody Considerations Under California Law
In California, custody decisions are guided by the best interests of the child standard. Courts consider several factors, including:

• The child’s health, safety, and welfare
• Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse
• The nature and amount of contact with both parents
• The child’s relationship with each parent

A crucial aspect of the Jolie-Pitt case has been the role of abuse allegations. Jolie alleged that Pitt engaged in abusive behavior, which triggered legal investigations and had a direct impact on custody decisions. California courts take such allegations seriously, often requiring evidence such as witness testimony, reports from child welfare services, or expert evaluations before making a determination.
Parental Alienation and Custody Disputes
Another issue present in high-conflict custody cases is parental alienation, where one parent is accused of attempting to turn the child against the other parent. In contested cases like Jolie and Pitt’s, courts carefully evaluate whether a parent’s actions are negatively influencing the child’s relationship with the other parent.
What Parents Can Learn from This Case
The Jolie-Pitt custody battle offers important lessons for parents facing similar disputes:

1. Document Everything – If domestic violence or substance abuse is a concern, keeping records, police reports, and medical documentation can be critical in court.
2. Understand That Allegations Carry Legal Weight – Courts require substantial evidence before altering custody due to allegations of abuse.
3. Prioritize the Child’s Well-Being – Despite conflicts between parents, courts will always focus on what benefits the child the most.
4. Seek Mediation When Possible – Lengthy legal battles can be emotionally and financially draining. Mediation or co-parenting counseling may help resolve disputes without prolonged litigation.

Call our office today for a free, half hour, case evaluation with one of our attorneys!
​The Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt custody case highlights the complexities of family law and how deeply personal disputes can become public legal battles. Whether you are navigating a custody dispute involving allegations or simply seeking a fair co-parenting arrangement, understanding your legal rights and working with an experienced attorney can make all the difference in protecting your child’s best interests.

​Child Support Modifications: Lessons from Liam Gallagher’s Legal Battle
Child support is a critical aspect of family law that ensures children receive the financial resources they need. However, as circumstances change, so can child support obligations. A high-profile example of this is former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher’s ongoing child support dispute, which highlights key legal principles regarding modifications to support orders.
The Gallagher Case: A Fight Over Increased Support
Liam Gallagher, known for his rockstar persona and musical legacy, is currently involved in a legal dispute with Liza Ghorbani, the mother of his child. Ghorbani is seeking an increase in child support, arguing that Gallagher’s anticipated earnings from an upcoming Oasis reunion tour justify a higher payment. Despite Gallagher’s history of paying support, the request for an increase demonstrates a common issue in family law: When and how can child support orders be modified?
California Law on Child Support Modifications
Under California law, child support can be modified if there is a “material change in circumstances.” This means that if a parent’s income significantly increases or decreases, the court may adjust support payments accordingly. Some common reasons for modifications include:

• A substantial increase in the paying parent's income
• A decrease in the receiving parent's income or financial need
• A change in the child’s expenses, such as medical or educational costs
• A shift in custody arrangements

Gallagher’s Case
In Gallagher’s situation, Ghorbani’s claim hinges on the fact that his earnings are expected to rise dramatically due to the Oasis reunion tour. If he were subject to California law, a court would likely assess whether his new earnings constitute a significant, consistent increase rather than a temporary windfall. Courts typically consider long-term financial stability rather than one-time spikes in income.
Furthermore, the court would evaluate the child’s current needs to determine if an increase is warranted. Simply because one parent’s income increases does not automatically mean the child requires more support. The receiving parent must demonstrate how the additional funds would benefit the child.
What Parents Can Learn from This Case
Gallagher’s case offers valuable lessons for parents navigating child support modifications:

1. Keep Records of Income Changes – If you anticipate an increase or decrease in income, document it thoroughly. Courts will rely on financial records to make determinations.
2. Understand That Not All Income Increases Justify Higher Support – A temporary boost in earnings may not be enough to modify support. Courts look at sustained financial changes.
3. Demonstrate the Child’s Needs – If you are seeking an increase in support, be prepared to show why the child requires additional financial resources.
4. Seek Legal Advice Early – Whether requesting or contesting a modification, working with an experienced family law attorney can help you navigate the complexities of the legal process.

Liam Gallagher’s child support battle serves as a reminder that modifications to support payments require legal justification and careful financial analysis. Whether you are seeking to increase, decrease, or defend a support order, understanding California’s legal standards can help you achieve a fair and reasonable outcome.  Please give our office a call for a free, half-hour, case evaluation with one of our attorneys!

​By: KTNV Staff
Posted at 10:38 AM, Apr 08, 2024

​LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Three people are dead after a shooting at a law office in the Summerlin area on Monday morning.
A source tells us shots were fired amid a deposition, and that the shooter killed two people before fatally shooting himself.
Additional sources told Channel 13 police were responding to Prince Law Group, with offices located on the corner of Charleston Boulevard and Pavilion Center Drive.
Prince Law Group released the following statement regarding Monday's shooting:
With profound sadness, Prince Law Group would like to thank everyone who has reached out to us with heartfelt messages of concern and sympathy over the tragic violence that occurred this morning in our offices. We ask that you please respect the privacy of the families involved.

More
Channel 13 is also learning new details regarding the relationship between Ashley Prince and her ex-husband Dylan Houston. Court records revealed the two were married in October 2017 and after four years and two kids, Dylan Houston filed for divorce. At first, the couple split custody evenly, but in the spring of 2022, Ashley asked to modify the custody agreement.
The court also ordered Dylan to undergo regular drug and alcohol screenings and to remain at least 100 yards away from Ashley's home, work, and parents' home. Ashley and Dennis Prince were married in late 2023.

Lt. Jason Johansson provided new details regarding the shooting. A total of seven people were present during the shooting: three representing one party, three representing the other, and a court reporter. He added that the building is expected to reopen tomorrow except for Suite 560, where the crime took place.

Multiple sources in both law enforcement and the legal community have identified attorney Joe Houston as the gunman who killed two people and himself at a Summerlin area law office this morning.
Among the victims are Houston's former daughter-in-law, Ashley Prince, and her new husband, attorney Dennis Prince, sources say.
Those same sources explain that Joe Houston was representing his son, Dylan Houston (also an attorney), in child custody proceedings with Ashley Prince — who was being represented in those same proceedings by her new husband.
Joe Houston, Ashley Prince and Dennis Prince were present for a deposition in the custody case involving Ashley and her former husband (Houston's son). The former couple have two young children together.
Houston is said to have shot Ashley and Dennis Prince before turning the weapon on himself. Sources also tell us that the now-deceased couple (Dennis and Ashley Prince) recently welcomed a new baby — their only child together.

"In times of darkness, it is often the strength of our unity that sees us through. Today, we find ourselves grappling with the aftermath of a tragedy that has shaken not only a community but the very fabric of our profession. The recent shootings at a family law office in Las Vegas have left us all reeling, as we come to terms with the senseless loss of life and the profound impact on those left behind.
As members of the legal community, we are not immune to the pain and anguish that accompanies such a horrific event. We are bound by a shared commitment to justice, compassion, and the pursuit of truth. Yet, in the face of tragedy, we must also come together to offer solace and support to those who need it most.
Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, whose lives have been forever altered by this unfathomable act of violence. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Las Vegas, as they navigate through this unimaginable ordeal. In times like these, it is imperative that we lean on one another for strength and support, drawing on the resilience of our community to guide us forward."

​PATRICIA KIRK
CONTRIBUTED TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL
PUBLISHED JULY 6, 2017

​'I'm not happy and I'm going to get a divorce" my husband announced one morning as he was crossing the bedroom floor on his way to the bathroom.
I'm not that obtuse, but perhaps I had missed some clues about unhappiness because this pronouncement was like a thunder bolt, a cataclysmic statement of which I had no prior warning. Thus began my journey – at the age of 73 – into singledom.
We had been married for 23 years prior to his startling announcement (a second marriage for both). My first husband died, so I had no inkling about how one goes about getting divorced and certainly no clue about the lengthy process it is to become unhitched.
At first, I entreated against such an outcome. "What was wrong? Why, couldn't we fix it?" But he was adamant that divorce was the only solution.
My husband had heard the term "collaborative divorce," and suggested that was the route we should take. Unfortunately, his definition of collaborate did not involve respectful back and forth discussion or compromise and we ended up in a 2 1/2-year battle negotiated by two very expensive lawyers.
There is a recently identified phenomenon called grey divorce. Couples who have been together 30, 40, or even 50 years are deciding they do not want to live out their last years together. Some divorce for the usual reasons: infidelity or they are no longer able to live with their partner's drinking or gambling or abusiveness. But many realize they haven't communicated for decades and decide they don't want to continue with the same old patterns for what remains of their lives. I reluctantly found myself a member of this ever-growing group. Rather than feeling on the cutting edge, I was devastated. I felt I was being forced to reinvent my life, a daunting task for a septuagenarian.
I lost weight, couldn't sleep, had anxiety attacks and blubbered profusely on all my friends shoulders as I was utterly hurt, sad and angry all at once. I am no stranger to coping. When my first husband died, I was left with two young teenagers whose hormones were raging and who regarded me, as the now sole parent as a whole new ballgame, where all limits had to be retested. My son, a caring and intelligent individual, died by suicide at the age of 31, after a private battle with bipolar disorder. The loss of a child is the biggest blow a parent can ever suffer, but grey divorce comes a close second.
But I did learn and develop new skills. I learned how to enjoy chopping kindling for my wood-burning stove. Cutting the lawn and taking the garbage cans to the street are not nearly the difficult tasks they were purported to be. My triumph was detecting that an obnoxious smell in the house was coming from the crawl space. Crawl-space investigation was new to me, but who would have thought that retrieving two malodorous dead rats from the depths would feel like a badge of honour. "If I can do this, I can do anything. Yes, I can run this place on my own."
The divorce coach, a counselling specialty previously unknown to me, was invaluable. One day she said, "There are opportunities in this kind of situation." What opportunities could there possibly be in aloneness and depleted finances? And yet, there are. I took a leap outside my comfort zone and signed up for a cycling/hiking trip to Tanzania. I didn't quite make it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, but it was expanding to try.
A name change can be included at no extra cost in a divorce decree, so I took the opportunity and went back to my maiden name. To celebrate my "coming out" as Ms. Kirk, I threw a party and invited everyone who had been so supportive, inclusive and patient with me over the past 2 1/2 years. It was a blast!
I vowed I would never have another man in my life. Some of my friends (all grannies) were dabbling in internet dating, but it was a process I had absolutely no interest in. However, a member of my cycle club invited me to join him for dinner. I accepted the invitation and then began to fuss. "I don't want a relationship, and besides, I haven't been on a date for 30 years!" A sage friend of mine put it in perspective by saying, "It's only a dinner invitation; for God's sake, just go out and enjoy the evening!" I did, and a year and a half later, he and I are still enjoying each other's company. Having lived with two of the most sedentary men in the world, it is a delight to spend time with an energetic, active person who enjoys cycling and hiking as much as I do. (And besides, he has beautiful eyes.)
Divorce is a difficult process, a roller coaster of emotions, feelings of abandonment, grieving and a questioning of one's worth. I have read that it could take three to five years to recover from a grey divorce.
Three years in, I do feel that I have turned a corner and am well on my way to recovery. I feel more settled and am happy with my own company. There are opportunities out there, bucket lists to ponder and act upon, grandchildren to frolic with and old and new friendships to nurture. It's not a matter of reinventing my life but to keep on living it with verve and enthusiasm.
Patricia Kirk lives in Victoria

​GYPSY ROSE BLANCHARDARGUMENTS & GUILT-TRIPPING BY RYAN... Led To Separation according to TMZ

​Gypsy Rose Blanchard's post-prison fairytale with her husband came to an end last week -- and now ... we know exactly what led up to the split.
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ...  Gypsy has been telling family and friends that her estranged hubby, Ryan Anderson, had become super argumentative post-prison release and was constantly making her feel like she couldn't do anything right.

We're told one of the major sticking points in Gypsy and Ryan's relationship was his apparent jealousy over her spending time with her dad -- that's what our sources say Gypsy has been telling people anyway.

​

Instead of supporting her bond with her father, we're told Gypsy feels like Ryan made her feel guilty about not spending that time with him exclusively.


​

​After spending years behind bars, we're told Gypsy was eager to reconnect and build relationships with her family ... and our sources say she felt suffocated by Ryan's constant guilt-tripping. We're also now hearing Gypsy's inner circle had serious concerns about Ryan's intentions -- especially over the fact he only reached out to Gypsy on a dare.

By Shelby Stivale of US Weekly

During this unprecedented time in our history many families are struggling to balance working from home, while helping children cope with the loss of their social networks and attempting to keep them engaged in distance learning. We are all also facing fear of the unknown. When will the shelter at home end? When will the children be able to return to school and see their friends? What will this new normal look like? And who would take care of my children if I became ill? Co-parenting is going to be extremely important during this time; even if it's been near impossible in the past. You will need to be the bigger person. You will need to be more patient, and more kind, and more forgiving of the other parent. And most importantly you will both need to continue to put the health, safety, and welfare of the children above all else. 

Hallie Levine wrote an article published by the New York Times earlier this month, entitled "When Parents Get Sick, Who Cares for the Kids?" (link below)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/parenting/parents-coronavirus-kids-caregiver.html?referringSource=articleShare 

The article details the experiences of several single-parents who face this fear every day. Hallie writes:

"With 160 million to 214 million Americans projected to become infected with the new coronavirus — and up to 21 million of them potentially requiring hospitalization — Kylstra’s dilemma is a frightening one that is playing out in households across the country. The disease resulting from infection with the new coronavirus, called Covid-19, is most dangerous for those at highest risk — older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions. But it has also been impacting younger, healthier adults who are in their 30s, 40s and 50s. 'We’re seeing situations where entire families are sickened with Covid-19, because it’s so contagious when you have prolonged close contact,' said Dr. Thomas Murray, M.D., Ph.D., associate medical director for infection prevention at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. While most parents will only show mild to moderate symptoms, he added, the reality is some will require hospitalization, and 'it’s impossible to predict who,' he said.This reality is a particularly disturbing one for single parents, who not only have to shoulder the sole responsibility of their child’s care, but who also have to worry what will happen to their kids if they end up in the hospital. 'When I got sick, it was my worst nightmare,' said Lesley Enston, 39, a single mother who lives in Brooklyn. Enston developed Covid-like symptoms in mid-March, including a loss of taste and smell, fatigue and mild shortness of breath. At first, she considered sending her daughter, age 1, to her father’s house, but eventually she was reluctant to do so since her dad has pre-existing heart and lung conditions. One night in late March, she struggled to breathe. 'I panicked, not knowing who would be able to take Desslyn if I required an ambulance,' she said.

Whether you’re high-risk or not, partnered or single, legal experts say it’s essential that all parents devise a backup plan now, even if you aren’t sick. 'You need to have an A, B and C list of friends and family members that would be willing to step in, knowing that they will most likely be exposed to the virus,' said Lauren Wolven, a trusts and estates attorney at Levenfeld Pearlstein LLC in Chicago. It’s a tough ask, and family members and friends may need some time to mull over their comfort level with it.
In an ideal world, the best caregivers would be any friends or relatives who have already been infected with the virus and have since recovered, Dr. Murray said, since theoretically they would already have at least some immunity. But that, of course, may not be realistic for many parents. Ideally, you’d choose someone who lives nearby, or at least within a few hours driving distance. 'You don’t want to pick someone who needs to fly across the country or drive several days if it’s an emergency,' Wolven noted.

Once you identify a temporary guardian, it’s important to put that agreement in writing. If your child gets sick and you’re unable to consent to their medical care (if you’re on a ventilator, for instance), you’ll want someone else to have the power to authorize their care, explained Greta Solomon, a trusts and estates attorney at Cohen and Wolf in Westport, Conn.
The requirements and necessary forms (called “standby guardianship” forms) for doing this will vary by state. If you already have a will, the easiest and quickest way to formally draft these documents would be to ask your attorney who drafted your will to do it for you. If you don’t have a will, you can often find these forms on your state’s government or judicial websites (the National Center for State Courts is a good place to start.) You and your standby guardian will then need to sign these forms, usually in the presence of two witnesses, Solomon added. 

If you do become hospitalized or are otherwise unable to care for your child, it’s important to make sure that you have a care plan in place for your children. This should include essential information such as the names of their physicians, the medications they take and instructions on how to care for any pets, but it should also include a snapshot of your child’s daily routine, Wolven said. Is there a favorite book you typically read to your child in the morning? Are there any foods that she likes and dislikes? What about certain rituals she needs at night to help her wind down? Any favorite dolls and blankets?
"This way, if something does happen to a child’s parents, it’s less traumatic for them,' she explained.

Even if you don’t require hospitalization, you’ll still need to figure out how to recover while effectively caring for your kids. Denise Rice, 54, who lives in Brookfield, Conn., contracted the new coronavirus in March, along with her husband and their 5-year-old son. (Rice also has two other sons, ages 8 and 14, who have not yet gotten sick.) All three children were adopted and have special needs, Rice said, so she had to keep an eye on them at all times. Because Rice’s symptoms were much milder than her husband’s, she opted to remain the primary caretaker for their boys. “One of them is always up every three hours at night, so I’m getting more and more run down,” Rice said. 'I’m just kind of trying to chug through and make believe it’s a cold until my husband feels better.'

If two parents are ill, Dr. Murray said that it makes sense that the one less affected should pick up the parenting slack. But be prepared for the roles to be reversed later on.

If you’re parenting solo, focus on doing the bare minimum needed to care for your child. If you have friends who can help, consider asking them to drop off groceries or cooked meals, or even ask if they’ll video chat with your kids (if they’re older) so you can nap in peace. While you may be tempted to do chores like a load of laundry or vacuuming as you recover, don’t. 'It’s important for parents themselves to rest, so that they can focus on getting well for their children,' said Dr. Kristin Englund, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.

Also keep in mind that social distancing and disinfection practices are still important, even at home. If you have someone coming to your house to help while you’re ill, or if you’re sick and your partner is not, Dr. Murray said it’s best to try and quarantine yourself as much as possible. If you have more than one bathroom, designate one for anyone who’s infected. Ask any caretakers to regularly disinfect all high touch surfaces like kitchen counters, tables, doorknobs and light switches (ideally while wearing a mask).

If you do have masks around your house, wear them when you’re with your little ones to avoid getting them sick (if your kids are ill too, try to get them to wear a mask, though this isn’t necessary if you know that everyone in the house is infected). If your children are scared and want to sleep in your bedroom, resist letting them do so. This will not only ensure that you get a better night’s rest, but will help reduce the chances of you infecting them, Dr. Englund added.

If your kids are older, you might also think about teaching them certain helpful skills. When she was sick with Covid-19 for two weeks in March, Jaime Wagner, 42, a sales executive in Harrisburg, Pa., taught her 7-year-old daughter how to make basic meals like pasta, and how to put her 2-year-old sister down for naps. 'I sent her links of how to make meals via YouTube while her dad was working,' Wagner said. When her youngest turned 2, Wagner talked her daughter through making her little sister a birthday cake via video chat while isolated in her bedroom.

In the end, Kylstra said that she wished that she and her husband had already thought through these contingency plans before they got sick. 'Trust me,' she said, 'you don’t want to be having these conversations in the middle of the night when you’re both up battling fever and chills.' For years, she added, she and her husband had talked about creating a will. Now, she plans to do just that. 'When you’re young and healthy you think you can wait,' she said. 'But this pandemic has made clear that can change in an instant.' "

We, at the Law Offices of Maria E. Crabtree, can help you do just that. Even if the Courts are closed and limited to emergency hearings we are still able to help you reach temporary custody/visitation agreements and turn those agreements into Court orders until a full hearing can be set or the pandemic subsides. 

If you've always thought drafting a will or creating a trust could wait for a later time but now realize that the time is now, give us a call, we can have your estate documents drafted to give you and your loved ones peace of mind. Stay safe, stay healthy; from all of us here at the Law Offices of Maria E. Crabtree.

In a divorce proceeding, it is possible to win an award of attorney fee's from the other party. One of these methods is through sanctions under California Family Code Section 271, but you can also obtain attorney fees where there is no sanction-worthy conduct, through California Family Code Section 2030.

In essence, if one party has more access to funds to retain counsel in a divorce proceeding, that party may be ordered to pay the attorney fees of the other party. This ensures that the spouse with the more financial power cannot bulldoze the other party into a result that is not in their best interest. These attorney fee awards are capped at what is a "reasonable" amount, which allows the court discretion to not award large attorney fee awards that are unwarranted. You can read the text of California Family Code Section 2030 below. 
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"(a)(1) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, nullity of marriage, or legal separation of the parties, and in any proceeding subsequent to entry of a related judgment, the court shall ensure that each party has access to legal representation, including access early in the proceedings, to preserve each party's rights by ordering, if necessary based on the income and needs assessments, one party, except a governmental entity, to pay to the other party, or to the other party's attorney, whatever amount is reasonably necessary for attorney's fees and for the cost of maintaining or defending the proceeding during the pendency of the proceeding.
(2) When a request for attorney's fees and costs is made, the court shall make findings on whether an award of attorney's fees and costs under this section is appropriate, whether there is a disparity in access to funds to retain counsel, and whether one party is able to pay for legal representation of both parties.  If the findings demonstrate disparity in access and ability to pay, the court shall make an order awarding attorney's fees and costs.  A party who lacks the financial ability to hire an attorney may request, as an in pro per litigant, that the court order the other party, if that other party has the financial ability, to pay a reasonable amount to allow the unrepresented party to retain an attorney in a timely manner before proceedings in the matter go forward.
(b) Attorney's fees and costs within this section may be awarded for legal services rendered or costs incurred before or after the commencement of the proceeding.
(c) The court shall augment or modify the original award for attorney's fees and costs as may be reasonably necessary for the prosecution or defense of the proceeding, or any proceeding related thereto, including after any appeal has been concluded.
(d) Any order requiring a party who is not the spouse of another party to the proceeding to pay attorney's fees or costs shall be limited to an amount reasonably necessary to maintain or defend the action on the issues relating to that party.
(e) The Judicial Council shall, by January 1, 2012, adopt a statewide rule of court to implement this section and develop a form for the information that shall be submitted to the court to obtain an award of attorney's fees under this section."

When Domestic Violence Restraining Orders are first issued after a hearing, they typically have an expiration date, ranging from one year to five years. At the end of the expiration date, the Restraining Order is no longer in effect. However, you can petition the court to renew the restraining order within three months of the expiration date. The court will try to set a hearing before the order expires, and they will either let the restraining order expire, renew it for five more years, or make it a permanent order. At this stage, the court is looking to see if you are in reasonable apprehension of future abuse. This means, you have to show that you are reasonably still afraid that your abuser will continue to abuse you. The court will consider the level of abuse that was found for the initial restraining order to determine if your fear is reasonable and will also look to any violations of the restraining order and the evolving behavior of both parties. If you have a restraining order, you might want to double-check when it expires, and consider applying for a renewal within three months of the expiration date.

If you have a child support order, you might be wondering what you should do with the money you receive. Your instinct might be that you need to spend the money directly on your children. And, in general, that would be correct. The first goal of child support, is to take care of your children's basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities. However, sometimes, both parents make enough money that they can take care of these needs without child support, but, since the difference in income is so large, or because of a big difference in timeshare, there is still a child support order. You don't have to spend that money directly on your children and shower them with lavish expensive gifts. Of course, you should make a conscious effort to use the money to make your children's lives better, but this can manifest in different ways. The secondary goal of child support is to create an environment at both homes that is similar to what the children would experience if the parties were together, so spending that child support money on upgrading your home, or buying more expensive food, can be a reasonable use of child support. As long as the funds are in some way improving the lives of your children, your use of the child support money is typically discretionary, and you don't need to keep track of the payments or show proof with the court. Long story short, as long as you are meeting your children's needs, you shouldn't worry about where you directly spend your child support.