When a non-custodial parent uses money from child support payments to purchase things other than what the children need, it can be considered child support fraud. For instance, if the mother is purchasing alcohol, things for a new boyfriend, or even cosmetic things for herself, she is not using the child support payments for her children. This is illegal. The father can file a grievance with the court and make the mother show receipts for things she purchased with the child support money. If she is found to be at fault, she may lose control of how the child support payments are spent. Some of the things that custodial parents can purchase with child support payments include clothing for the children, school supplies, medical care, shelter, utilities, etc. It's important that custodial parents stick to things like this rather than purchasing things for themselves or others. Money from child support payments should go to benefit the children of the custodial and non-custodial parents. Fathers who suspect otherwise should contact a child support attorney to determine what their next move should be.