Maintenance Payments

[Toddi]

I'm a lone parent of 5 year old DS. Left father 2 years ago, have private maintenance agreement of £300 per month. Father also has another 2 DS's to another 2 mums pays 300 for one, 400 for the other?! Speaking to child maintenance options just now about receiving correct monthly amount based on net weekly income £1000. Should I go through CSA? Anyone got any similar experience?

[ilovepicnmix]

Hi there. I am in a similar position as I know my ex pays way more maintenance for other children than he does my DS. However I'm worried about bringing it up as it was my decision to split up and I don't want the other mum to be out of pocket. I've decided to wait a year from when we split and then ask him to review what he gives me. What does he say about it Toddi?

[Toddi]

My ex has temper & wasn't approachable when trying to discuss at weekend, but that was advice from child maintenance options. Things got bit nasty & had to ask him to leave house. Contacted CSA, they say we will get 15% of net weekly income if other mothers & father agree to remain in private agreement. If they go CSA, then 25% is taken from net weekly salary divided by 3 mothers. Either way, my son is better off. However CSA changing to Child Maintenance Service & gov want to charge parents for this service. Recommending to.parents its better to have a private agreement. Currently get £300, he's proposing increase to 400. If do CSA @ 15% its £650 per month, or £361 if all mums & he do 25%....aaarrgghh my heads burst thinking about what is the right thing to do!!

[Toddi]

ilovepicnmix,

I wouldn't wait, even though it was your decision to leave (as was mine) your DS is entitled to that money just like his other children. Please ring child Maintenance options tomorrow & discuss with them. Really good advice. www.cmoptions.org online calculator is helpful too. If you wait at year to go through CSA you maybe charged for service & be worseoff

[ilovepicnmix]

Bloody hell it's confusing!! If you go through CSA will that force him into having to reassess what the other mothers get? I.e. If they say £650 then we he pay all mothers through CSA so that it's 361 each?

[ilovepicnmix]

Ps sorry to hear things got nasty. I don't think for a second that my ex would be like that but we're getting on well at the moment so I just don't want to rock the boat after months of bickering and upset. I'm definitely going to wait till after Christmas but I will sort it out then. Promise!