CSA Again

[mummy18]

My partner of ten years and father of my two children has received a csa claim for a child who is now twelve years old. He has never seen the child as ex told him he wasn't his and never put his name on the birth certificate. We asked CSA for a DNA test as we won't pay for a child that we don't know is his and they have came back saying ex will not have the test and she has closed the case.

Can the case be re-opened?

Any responses greatly appreciated as this is driving me mad.

[shelleylou]

I dont know for certain but i would have thought that it could be reopened if the ex requests it. If this did happen your DP could again ask for a DNA test, if the same scenario happens it would be closed again. I would find it odd that she refused the DNA test. If you go to their website you may be able to find out more information

[DippyDora]

Agree with Shellylou.

If she asked for the case to be closed then its unlikely she will reopen it though.

[mummy18]

Thanks for your help,I checked the CSA website but it doesn't really tell you anything about re-opening of cases but hopefully that is the end of it.

[AnitaBlake]

I think she can reopen it, but they already know that parentage is disputed and so will tell her that she will have to go through DNA to progress the case. If she rfuses again, tyhey will close the case again. Sorry, it's the way it works.

[yerblurt]

Sounds a bit dubious really doesn't it?

If she was clear about the parentage then I presume she would have gone ahead with the assessment and disputed parentage route, requiring a DNA paternity test. As she has declined this route I would view it as a 'fishing' trip.

The "Parent With Care" i.e. who is in possession of the child benefit book, can re-open a CSA claim, after 16 weeks after closing a previous claim.

If it happens again I would do the same as what you have done. Request that all communication from CSA is in writing, refuse to speak to them on the phone (as they regularly lie and get things completely wrong, by using only letters you have proof of communication).

You can dispute the parentage (I believe you have to stump up the costs of the paternity test up front! You can later claim the monies back if parentage is disproved I think) and leave it at that.

As I said, it looks like a fishing trip

[AnitaBlake]

Sounds like fishing to me too. You are right though, yerblurt. If you dispute parantage, you EITHER pay £215 up front or £270 afterwards. Is your chioce to pay up front or not. If you are not the parent, then you will get the fee back and the CSA will leave you alone. If you are the parent you have to pay back fees to the point where you were made aware ofthe claim (thank goodness, not the date of birth!).

You are then always financially responsible for the child regardless of whether you are allowed to have a relationship with them or not.