Me, again. What happens in a maintenance hearing, please?

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

I just want to be prepared (if it's possible).

[familylawyerlouise]

What sort of maintenance hearing is it? Child maintenance or spousal maintenance? Is it a first hearing? Need a bit more info before I can advise

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

Sorry. Child maintenance (REMO), it's the first hearing but he has a solicitor and the lady from the court has said it will probably only need one. He's being rather creative with his expenses and the money he's saying he spends doesn't match up with his bank statements (which are full of holidays!)

[familylawyerlouise]

If it's a REMO hearing then I'm guessing that you're enforcing an order for child maintenance made abroad or that your ex lives abroad? there are various different provisions depending on which country is involved but generally speaking the magistrates/judge/court clerk will be looking at his financial circumstances and then making a decision about how the order should be enforced - there are various methods available. I shouldn't imagine that you would have to do or say much as the emphasis is very much on him to provide information to support his case and it's the court's job to decide on methods of enforcement. Sorry if that sounds a bit vague!

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

There was a CSA assessment made in the UK before he left (was a while back). He's now in Europe but earns 3 times more then he did when the CSA assessed him. I've been sent his finances (5 days before the hearing date!) but he's claiming that he pays for everything, even childcare for his new children (although there's nothing to show that he does on the statements). All I can see is (one holiday a month) flights, hotels, clothes, food, petrol, jewellers, concert tickets (£450 worth).

I'm not sure the assessment is still valid as he's not in the UK, so they should be looking at his income to work out what a reasonable amount should be. He's so far offered 3.6% of his yearly income but he's reduced his hours since last year so his income is less (I have his tax certificate, it says on there what his hours were). He hasn't paid for over a year so there's arrears as well.

Thank you