I have a 5 yr old son who has had visitation with his father…

If I were your lawyer, I'd say to you that appeasement didn't work with Hitler and it didn't work here. If you offer him more because you're scared that he'll take you to court then he knows that he can bully you, and he'll keep doing it until he gets what he wants. He probably thinks that if he has half time then he doesn't have to pay any child support (I assume he's paying something now).

Even if he does hire a lawyer and take this to court that doesn't mean he's going to win. He has to show what's different now from when you two signed the agreement, and then why the time sharing schedule he wants is better for the child than what you have now.

As you say, he's in a different city. Your child is settled with you. If dad gets half time, how will the child stay in the same school? What about making friends in your neighbourhood, with his classmates? What about extracurricular activities?

I think you should say "forget it" to dad. If he has evidence, that's one thing. But letting him bully you is a separate matter entirely. Don't forget, he can take you to court for anything at any time anyway. So saying he will isn't a threat. I could take you to court for custody of this child, there's nothing stopping me from trying.

If this is something you want, then fine. But don't agree to 50/50, which you think isn't good for you and the child, because your ex thinks he can push you around.

Does that make sense?

You should be taking him to court for child support. And he should be paying it to you, to pay bills and provide for the child, rather than put it into an account for the child. He sounds very controlling.

Go to your local court house and talk to duty counsel about getting an Application started for child support, and anything else you think you want. If he wants to go to court, you should take him to court first. Let him know that you are not to be pushed around.

Anything else about this you'd like to discuss? If I've answered you then I'd appreciate a positive service rating please. Ratings are how I get paid by the site for helping its customers.

That's not a strike against you. He's making you think it is. If you don't have diagnosed and untreated mental health issues, or ongoing criminal activity, or attention from the CAS, I can't see any judge taking the 5 year old away from the mother.

And support is paid to the caregiver in the primary residence to help pay bills and buy necessities for the children. It's not support to put money away for the future, that's an entirely separate issue.

Parent's aren't allowed to contract away a child's right to be supported. And dad isn't paying what he said he would anyway, so go after the support.

Then I wish you luck. Please re read what I wrote, and have some faith that the family law system will give you the benefit of the doubt. If dad was that confident, he'd have already done what he's saying he'll do. And what he says, that's not a threat at all. He's entitled to take you to court at any time, so don't let him push your buttons.

Thank you for the rating.

Ulysses