quick CSA question, if you have a moment?

[NarcolepsyQueen]

Hi

A member of my staff didn't come into work on Monday. Their explaination was that they had:

"To appear in front of the CSA again. They got very heavy and have taken the only funds i had from my account.?

My undertanding was that didn't 'appear' infront of the CSA - they dealt via letter. I also didn't think they could empty your account, just do an attachement of earnings? Am I wrong, or are they spinning me a line?

Thanks!
 

[Collaborate]

They can just make their own enforcement order up. I think 3rd party debt orders are one of the ones where they need a court order, but the first the absent parent knows about it is that the money is frozen in their account. They then have to go to court on the set date to argue the toss.

[kittycat68]

have been through alot csa myself, they would have given 14 days notice of any hearing, they would only have taken funds after a court order as Collaborate has said ( family laywer) this is clearly a parent who tries to get out of paying child support as they would have gone directly to the non resident parent for the monies first and only if they refuse to pay do they obatain a court order to seize.

[Collaborate]

The explaination he gave might well be consistant with him going to court on the "return date" to argue about a 3rd party debt order.

Also it might not be a refusal to pay situation. If it takes them a long time to do the assessment in the first place then often arrears build up through no one's fault.

[NarcolepsyQueen]

Hmmm - I don't think that is the case here though sadly. He has been paying through CSA for years, but lost his job in January, and started working for us on a much reduced salary in March. He still would have known about the date in advance though wouldn't he?

[Collaborate]

It depends when it was served. He is entitled to 7 days notice of the hearing, but that doesn't mean to say that he got the letter delivered on time, or even that the CSA sent it out on time.