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Original poster

To think I’m entitled to child maintenance?

164 replies

Blondeyoghurt · 08/04/2024 14:40

Hey all,

I honestly have no idea if I’m wrong or right on this one so please be gentle!

I have a nearly 4 year old with my ex (never married). He’s decided today that when she goes to school, he’s not going to pay the privately agreed child maintenance anymore. He’s told me he’s spoken to CMS and they have informed him that if I put a claim in they would just shut it down straight away, as we share our child 50/50 (this does differ sometimes as he has on call duties in his job, so may have a couple extra days with me or my mum etc).

He’s on an extremely healthy wage (just over double mine), and I am the receiver of child benefit.

I was sure that even with 50/50 custody, he would still have to pay to me - is this wrong?

I have absolutely no idea and I don’t want to cause a stir without knowing exactly where I stand.. the websites aren’t too clear in this instance😭

help please!

OP posts:
Sunnydays0101 · 08/04/2024 14:46

Does he/will he be paying 50% of expenses relating to your DD - clothes/activities/hobbies/school uniform/school expenses/, etc ?

WarshipRocinante · 08/04/2024 14:46

Wishitsnows · 08/04/2024 14:44

What a prince of a man not wanting to pay anything toward his child.

I’m sorry… but how? He has the child 50/50. He is paying for the child half the time and providing for the child half the time. What? Is he also meant to pay for mum’s half too?

Queijo · 08/04/2024 14:46

Even on 50/50 if he’s earning say £70k he’d have to pay around £200 a month, so it’s well worth putting in a claim for CMS.

If she’s not there 50% of the time due to his work it will be higher, but you need to work out exactly how many nights a year he has.

Springtime43 · 08/04/2024 14:45

Wishitsnows · 08/04/2024 14:44

What a prince of a man not wanting to pay anything toward his child.

If he's got 50/50 contact then he's probably doing his bit?

WarshipRocinante · 08/04/2024 14:44

W0tnow · 08/04/2024 14:43

I think he’s correct going by loads of posts I’ve seen. I also think it’s unfair, but that’s by the by.

Edited

How is it unfair? If they both provide a home 50/50 and split costs for the kid’s stuff then why is it unfair?

ToxicChristmas · 08/04/2024 14:44

I always assumed 50/50 was a no maintenance paid situation - I'm no expert though, just have a few friends in those situations.

Christmastree455555 · 08/04/2024 14:44

I’d just put the claim in anyway, he’s probably just trying to put you off. It’s based on overnight stays in a year… so really unless it’s literally 3 nights one house, four nights another and visa versa then it’s not totally 50/50

Itsnamechange · 08/04/2024 14:44

For 50/50 the norm is no maintenance and if you’ve never married you wouldn’t get any. That being said I’m not an expert- just a single mum myself. If I were you I’d get proper advice.

I do think if he earns more than you it’s a bit of dick move as it means your child will have a significantly more affluent life in one home than the other.

Wishitsnows · 08/04/2024 14:44

What a prince of a man not wanting to pay anything toward his child.

W0tnow · 08/04/2024 14:43

I think he’s correct going by loads of posts I’ve seen. I also think it’s unfair, but that’s by the by.

tabulahrasa · 08/04/2024 14:43

People seem to think 50/50 means no maintenance - it doesn’t, it depends on income.

Put the numbers into the CMS calculator it’ll tell you.

tabulahrasa · 08/04/2024 14:43

People seem to think 50/50 means no maintenance - it doesn’t, it depends on income.

Put the numbers into the CMS calculator it’ll tell you.

ConfrontationDoesntHaveToBeScarey · 08/04/2024 14:42

Put your details in here and it will tell you

www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance

fishonabicycle · 08/04/2024 14:42

I am not very knowledgeable about this, but I think 50:50 means no maintenance?

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