In an ideal economy, most parents rack up child support debt because they can’t afford the payments. The traditional solution for getting noncustodial parents to pay up is to send them to court and then jail if the judge finds them in contempt. This method has been proven to be ineffective, because sitting in jail makes it hard to earn money which in turn makes it harder to write checks. It is not always the case that a parent doesn't want to pay their child support, it’s often that they can’t. On May 21, 2013 Dr. Carlos Rivera a well respected and loved pediatrician was held in contempt for not being able to keep up with his astronomical child support payments while his ex wife sits home with no job. In my opinion, it takes two people to have sex and make a child. Both should be treated equally under the law, instead of forcing men to act as a welfare system for women. (Which was clearly the case here)
Here is the break down of the agreement that was made to which Dr Carlos Rivera could no longer afford: "Our “settlement agreement” was based on my peak salary of $190,000 from 2009 when I was still with my previous practice grossing 2.2 million dollars. The divorce holds me responsible for the following monthly payments:
- Maintenance (until our youngest child turns 19; a total of 17 yrs.): $3000.00
- Child support: $6,000.00
- Health insurance (ex-wife and children) $1,295.00
- Car payment: $600.00
- Car Insurance $100.00
- Gas Expense (as stated by my ex): $260.00
- Cell phone $60.00
- House Maintenance (total 2009-2012: $24, 453.00) $509.00
- 100% Pre-School Tuition: $182.00
- 100% Extracurricular Activities: $380.00
- One million dollar life insurance policy with my ex as beneficiary: $580.00
- 100% marital debt (in 2009 totaled $93,800.00): $2, 456.00
I am starting this petition to raise awareness as well as justice for the unfair incarceration of Dr. Carlos Rivera. A bitter ex wife driven by greed as well as our once again failed justice system has destroyed the life of a man who worked so hard to be where he once was. Years of school, years of hard work and dedication caring for the communities children should not go undone without a voice. By signing this petition, we can stand together to make a change, be the voice for Dr. Carlos Rivera as well as many other parents who have been failed by the family courts justice system or punished by a bitter ex. Let's keep the criminals in jail, not the parents who are struggling to be a welfare system. https://www.change.org/petitions/suffolk-county-family-court-riverhead-new-york-raise-awareness-inca...