Child / Working Tax credit if 50/50 custody?

[Porffor]

i'm trying to crunch numbers anticipated to work out if I can afford to separate from my DH.

I have 3 DD's 17 (in education),12 and 7.

We get adoption allowance for D12

Also child tax credit - but working tax credit has been stopped as I've earned over the threshold.

I'm on a 20 hour contract, at £9.30 an hour - but started 11 months ago and have worked more than 20 hours every month.
I'm thinking I'll clear 15k this tax year.

I ran through 15k with no children at 30 hours in the WTC site and get nothing.

How does it work if I don't have full custody of the girls? how do they work out child tax credit then?

I've added up rent, council tax, elec / gas, car, RAC etc and to be honest it's not looking pretty. :( I don't think i can guarantee to be able to afford to pay my own way.

Any advice at all on the WTC / CTC etc? Thanks

[WhyHasAllTheRumGone]

Pretty sure it's based on average of nights per week. 12 or so years ago i got massively overpaid while an interim order gave xh 4 nights 3 days per week and me 3 nights 4 days. I even spoke to them and was told "if they're paying you, it must right." Total nightmare. Took me a very long time to repay
I think the general rule is the parent who receives child benefit is eligible.

[NewNNfor2017]

How does it work if I don't have full custody of the girls? how do they work out child tax credit then?

It's all or nothing - it's not based on number of nights. You're either eligible, or not.

So if you get CBenefit, then you can claim tax credits.
Your ex could put in a counter claim for either or both - and it would need to be investigated, but as a general rule, the status quo remains if it's true 50:50.

[Porffor]

Thanks - looks like I'll have to find a smaller place and the girls will have to put up with cramped conditions at mums then. :( I was hoping for a 3 bed but with escalated council tax and rent it won't be viable.

Child benefit we put in his name donkeys years ago - not sure why - and he's their main carer while I work (he's part time student and has a little self employed role but doesn't earn much from that).

[LemonSqueezy0]

Have you broached the idea of separation with him yet? Im only asking because im thinking about the 50/50 assumption. As he has taken on the main carers role he might not want to relinquish that. If it goes to court, especially in the short term, you may owe him child maintenance...not wanting to be negative but just wanted to see if you'd considered that possibility.

[Porffor]

Hi, yeah I've had the first part of talking last night, though he didn't do much talking. We didn't talk figures or time with the girls, to be honest apart from DD3 the other two will decide themselves I think.

I had a look at a maintenance calculator as realise I could on paper end up paying it - will be a joke if I do as he clears more than me in adoption allowance, child tax credit and child benefit alone. Let alone his student finance.

He's not talking now - so need to broach this again soon. I think we'll need to tell D1 too as she's nearly 18 and knows something is up.

I did mention that DD3 could go to breakfast club - he scoffed at that, but I simply said she's not going to be 7 forever and might take to it in time, also that if that didn't work I could have her with me overnight and bring her back to him to do school run. DD2 would be able to walk to school from where i'm hoping to be.

I went to view a flat yesterday and am applying for reference checks tomorrow.

Fingers x'd it works out. if not I can reduce my hours, I will do less during the summer anyhow as had an odd day or two off when it got quieter last year, so it's all very changeable.

Thanks for asking and thinking of me.

[LemonSqueezy0]

Good luck. Keep talking to him and try to keep the assumption that it'll be 50/50 from the off. Keep us updated, if you feel like talking.

[Porffor]

Thanks - much appreciated. Will be sure to keep avenues open.

He left me a pile of photos, insurance docs and my own birth cert (and mothers death cert) on the bed.. I asked him very politely for a copy of the girls birth certs and a copy of our marriage certificate. We only have one copy of that, so will have to get another one.

I've had a clear out of paperwork too of my own.

I want to keep contact with our dog too as he'll need help with him from time to time if away etc, and I do love him. We have 2 horses so the girls etc will see them too. Walks with the girls and dog will be nice still even if he can't stay where I am hoping to go for now it'll be an option later perhaps.