Hello all. Separated 2 years and I thought I was almost out if the woods (custody settled last year, agreement in place with regards to assets). Custody arrangement is 60/40, she gets them more weeknights during the school year, true 50/50 split over the summer. I wanted a full 50/50 split but I wasn't in the right state of mind immediately post-separation and paid the price.

Fast forward to now and, out of the blue, I get the paperwork that she is filing for child support, retroactive back to the date of separation. I spoke to my layer briefly and he said that this is probably her attempt at getting more money due to not getting as much of my money in assets. He had previously said that she shouldn't get support, even with the schedule, due to the fact that we both make good money (low six figures) and she makes a little more than me. But does that even matter?

I contribute a lot towards the kids. I pay for half of their sports fees, all of their musical lessons, half toward medicals bills. They spend more overnights with their mom but they are here late on some school nights so meals/food costs are equal. I don't pay as much for their clothes but I always offer to pay half. Problem is, she spends pretty highly while I save. She goes on more vacations (with and without them), eats out more, spends a ridiculous amount of their presents. She lives almost paycheck to paycheck and I always have money to put into saving. Will this go against me? She also pays their health insurance but there is no cost to her for this.

I contribute a good amount to their college funds. I know this might not be counted towards anything. But it is likely to stop if I end up having to pay her support.

On top of all of this, the schedule is such that I have them every day after school and this eliminates the need for after school costs AND allows their mother to work her full schedule without compromise (I am the one who works from home and is flexible around their schedules). Does that play any role here? I am also constantly taking them extra hours, sometimes extra overnights and entire weekends.

Thanks for reading my semi-rant, ha.