Ex Conned me and the Courts

[DidHeFalse1996]

My divorce was finalised over a year ago after 8 years of marriage and I fear Ex is going to start to play games with Child Maintenance. CMS recently re-assessed and produced a figure much lower than ex currently pay based on information provided by Tax people. CMS also advised that Ex is entitled to recover what he overpaid. If that happens I would be struggling. So far he has not.

Ex was a very high earner before and during the marriage, but it never came out during the proceedings where the money had gone. I requested bank statements going back to when relationship began 20 years ago, but ex stated that Form E only required 12 months. Courts allowed him to get away with 2 years of statements. The grin on his face was giveaway when judge said 2 years was enough.

I initially thought to appeal the CMS assessment, but starting to re-think. If they are correct I will have wasted time and cash. Ex is not lawyer, but seemed to know Family Law inside out during proceedings and was successful in making himself look good and me bad.

If assets he declared are correct then on paper I got almost all. However, I am sure he would not have offered such much if it was all he had.

I know I have been conned, but afraid to return to courts as Ex is a very cunning person. He also works outside EU and maybe able to avoid maintenance legally.

What can I do to protect myself?

[DidHeFalse1996]

NaiceBiscuits

Thanks for the reply. Lawyer said similar.

CM may disappear next year if ex achieves non resident status an no longer liable for UK Tax on overseas earnings. SM will come to an end in 3 years. Loss of CM will reduce my income drastically and when SM ends I will be in difficulty as income will be less than half.

I have capital from divorce which I can use in short term, but that will run out too before child is 18. All very worrying and makes me angry what Ex got away with.

[DidHeFalse1996]

Ex is outside EU and lawyer advised that makes it very difficult. What is RICO?

[Loopy567]

Yes what is RICO as could pass this onto a friend whose EX is abroad?

[Lucysky2017]

It may be hard. Woudl he pay direct expenses to the child as that is usually more palatable to non resident parents? Eg I pay my children's unviersity fees direct to the university. Their other parent does not get their hands on that money. Their father just helped one with a property purchase - again not money to me but to the child.