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Yes. NEVER EVER EVER pay child support directly to the custodial parent. It
will likely be viewed as a gift by the court and the payor will not receive
credit for
the payments. We lost $7000 by paying the CP directly per the divorce
decree.
She then denied ever receiving the money and even though we presented
receipts
to the court, the judge declared it a "gift" and assessed arrears.

As far as I know she has not denied receiving payments. However Child
Support Services says he owes the money. According to them, all they
need is some signed piece of paper saying she received the payments as
child support payments.