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Lying to receive more child maintenance.

145 replies

Propal · 22/08/2024 17:16

Going through a horrendous time with my partners ex. They have been separated for four years and have one shared child. His ex has always been volatile and unpredictable. We share his child exactly 50/50 with his ex. We both work from home so are able to juggle this between us. Even though we share his child equally, my partner has always paid his ex £450 a month to pay for things such as hobbies, school uniforms, school dinners etc. This is because it is a parent portal pay app and it is easier for it all to be done by one person (she was happy with this). Sometimes there wouldn’t be anything extra to pay for his child, but he always honoured the £450.

2 months ago we announced our pregnancy and since then his ex has made our lives hell. She has opened a case with the CMS and told them that we never have his child overnight, and therefore she is entitled to huge maintenance payments. The CMS have said that, whilst they understand we are telling them that we have 50/50, they will believe the mother as she claims child benefit on behalf of their child. They have told us to appeal but in the meantime we need to pay massive maintenance bills, which mean we are not going to be able to afford to do much (or anything) for my partners child whilst they are here.

I do understand that most of the time, it is the mother who is fucked by the dad over maintenance, but in this case we are really struggling and it’s very upsetting. We can’t believe that the CMS just agrees with my partners ex without asking for evidence or any sort of proof.

Has anybody been in this situation? We have texts showing his ex acknowledging 50/50 contact, evidence of things we pay for whilst the child is here etc.

I am really struggling mentally with this and how we will cope going forward. It’s putting a huge strain on our relationship as well as finances as we simply cannot afford these payments and to look after my partners child half the time and prepare for our new baby.

OP posts:
Mysinglepringle · 24/08/2024 10:58

Gonk123 · 23/08/2024 12:36

As I said earlier….onto your MP they will sort this out for you - it’s their job!

You haven't even read it properly. There isn't one of her, she is married. How have you decided the care home is at least 8k a month? Nowhere does she mention fees. My grans costs 850 a week, and he's splitting it with siblings. And it's got nothing to do with maintenance, he owes her nothing and is paying 450, plus all costs when child is with them. Also how have you decided they won't have the child 50/50 once baby is born?

Starlingexpress · 24/08/2024 08:19

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Strictly1 · 23/08/2024 22:24

Ozanj · 23/08/2024 12:18

You being pregnant means she needs a formal agreement in place and probably doesn’t trust you both to be able/willing to do 50/50 once the baby is born. If you do all/most of the childcare then she will definitely have a point.

In your position I’d be questioning why he chose to pay both his parents care home fees (at least 8k a month) while only sending £450 for his child.

Also 50/50 is supposed to be across the whole year including weekends and holidays - but there are two of you and presumably only one of her. So if she’s doing all the admin too she probably does feel hard done by.

Honestly take a breath and take this as an opportunity to think realistically about this and set boundaries with your DH. You will not be in a position to support 50/50 childcare with a new baby so let him know now. He should then either sort out his work to do it all himself or sell his parent’s house to fund their care (that’s usually the reason why high earners choose to pay care fees - to keep the house) and pay his ex enough to cover the new arrangement.

Edited

This is rubbish!

FoxtrotOscarKindaDay · 23/08/2024 17:59

@Ozanj There isn't just one of her, if you read all of OP's posts before passing judgement, this child's mother is remarried and works full time just like her new husband does. They are no more in a position to care 50/50 for the child than OP and her husband are in that case.

The care of his parents is irrelevant, the costs are split with his siblings. He has his child 50/50 and under normal circumstances he wouldn't be paying anything to his ex. The ex is trying to commit fraud by lying about care arrangements.

If this was a father lying to avoid paying CMS everyone would be tearing into him.

Nobodywouldknow · 23/08/2024 12:43

Ozanj · 23/08/2024 12:18

You being pregnant means she needs a formal agreement in place and probably doesn’t trust you both to be able/willing to do 50/50 once the baby is born. If you do all/most of the childcare then she will definitely have a point.

In your position I’d be questioning why he chose to pay both his parents care home fees (at least 8k a month) while only sending £450 for his child.

Also 50/50 is supposed to be across the whole year including weekends and holidays - but there are two of you and presumably only one of her. So if she’s doing all the admin too she probably does feel hard done by.

Honestly take a breath and take this as an opportunity to think realistically about this and set boundaries with your DH. You will not be in a position to support 50/50 childcare with a new baby so let him know now. He should then either sort out his work to do it all himself or sell his parent’s house to fund their care (that’s usually the reason why high earners choose to pay care fees - to keep the house) and pay his ex enough to cover the new arrangement.

Edited

Thats ridiculous and in no way excuses her blatant lying. First, it’s perfectly possible to carry on with 50/50 even after a new baby. Do parents suddenly opt out of caring for their older children if they have a new baby? No, of course they don’t. You don’t even know if OP does all the childcare, it’s just a sexist assumption.
He can pay what he likes for the care home - it’s his money. He also has his child half the time so doesn’t have to pay a penny in maintenance to the ex. This isn’t a case where he is the NRP, he is the equal resident parent along with his ex.

Nobodywouldknow · 23/08/2024 12:39

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 23/08/2024 12:05

Does she realise the child maintenance will go down once your baby is born?

He doesn’t owe her any obligation to pay any child maintenance because it’s a 50/50 arrangement. He pays her the money he does because she pays the school expenses from her account.

Gonk123 · 23/08/2024 12:36

As I said earlier….onto your MP they will sort this out for you - it’s their job!

Ozanj · 23/08/2024 12:18

You being pregnant means she needs a formal agreement in place and probably doesn’t trust you both to be able/willing to do 50/50 once the baby is born. If you do all/most of the childcare then she will definitely have a point.

In your position I’d be questioning why he chose to pay both his parents care home fees (at least 8k a month) while only sending £450 for his child.

Also 50/50 is supposed to be across the whole year including weekends and holidays - but there are two of you and presumably only one of her. So if she’s doing all the admin too she probably does feel hard done by.

Honestly take a breath and take this as an opportunity to think realistically about this and set boundaries with your DH. You will not be in a position to support 50/50 childcare with a new baby so let him know now. He should then either sort out his work to do it all himself or sell his parent’s house to fund their care (that’s usually the reason why high earners choose to pay care fees - to keep the house) and pay his ex enough to cover the new arrangement.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 23/08/2024 12:05

Does she realise the child maintenance will go down once your baby is born?

SinisterBumFacedCat · 23/08/2024 09:23

This isn't a care home fees thread

It’s a huge and indefinite expense. If it’s a posh home you’re looking at £7-8K per month per parent. Unless DH has lots of high earning siblings it’s unsustainable and taking money from their kids/grandkids. Especially if the house isn’t rented out.

Andwegoroundagain · 23/08/2024 09:09

2dogsandabudgie · 23/08/2024 08:36

Who is living in his parents home while they are in a care home. I assume the mortgage has been paid on it. Is it just standing empty?

But it's quite irrelevant to the position re CMS. CMS is being claimed on the pretext of child not living with OP DH. Whereas reality is it's 50 50. So it doesn't matter a jot whether DH is paying care home fees or who is living in the family home or any of this stuff. CMS have based a calculation on a incorrect set of information and won't revisit this. That is the problem the OP is looking to solve. This isn't a care home fees thread

Nobodywouldknow · 23/08/2024 09:05

Ledci · 23/08/2024 08:31

My ex doesn't have the birth certificates, I have them. He also doesn't do parent pay as its really bloody difficult to get 2 accounts so I said I'd do it and he pays me.
He's absolutely a good 50/50 Dad to them.

Yes absolutely. I mean someone has to have the BC and passports - both can’t have them. Having possession of these documents doesn’t mean someone is a better parent. Obviously someone claiming they are doing 50/50 when it’s 2 nights a week is bullshitting and the CMS know that. My DP and his ex do one week on, one week off so it genuinely is 50/50 but if anyone had to be classed as primary carer it would be him I guess because he does all the admin and dealing with the school. His ex still tried to sting him for maintenance based on pure fabrication which was probably because she’d burned through the 6 figure divorce settlement by then and didn’t want to have to get a job. He also told me that when they were married he found out she was illegally claiming benefits, declaring herself to be a single mum despite them being married, living together, and him paying for everything. Some people can’t help themselves.

Nobodywouldknow · 23/08/2024 08:59

My partners ex tried this. He has them 50/50 and called CMS and explained everything and they just closed the case. She had also claimed he had them zero nights per year. He had evidence though like an email from her to him where she had mentioned the 50/50 and that he was registered as the primary contact with the school. He also pays for all extra curricular, haircuts and takes them to doctor and dentist. It was still stressful for him though. Your DP should call them again and give them all the facts and threaten to escalate and ask to talk to someone higher up if need be.

YOYOK · 23/08/2024 08:53

There’s a cap with CMS, I believe it is around £3000 per month but don’t quote me on that exact amount as it may have changed. So is he likely to be up to £3k per month?!

2dogsandabudgie · 23/08/2024 08:36

Who is living in his parents home while they are in a care home. I assume the mortgage has been paid on it. Is it just standing empty?

maddening · 23/08/2024 08:33

How much does the cms calculator say?

crimsonlake · 23/08/2024 08:33

50/50 and your partner already pays maintenance of £450 for one child? Is he wealthy because if his ex goes through the CMS I would expect the amount payable to go down not increase?
My ex was a high earner, however due to owning a LTD company managed to divert his declared income. I managed to get the CMS to take his company dividends in to account but I still only received a little over £400 a month for 2 children who I had 100% care of.

Ledci · 23/08/2024 08:33

Lasttraintolondon · 23/08/2024 08:27

Sorry OP, having dealt with the CMS you're going to need to be exceptionally patient, persistent and document everything and every interaction.

Unfortunately they aren't fit for purpose for either mums or dads, resident or non-resident parents. Read the trustpilot reviews - the on thing ALL their 'customers' agree on is that they provide a terrible service.

There need to be many more checks and balanaces on them as an organisation.

Couldn't agree more. They are an absolute shit show and as I said in my previous post, it really can depend on who answers the phone on the day. I've never come across such an inept organisation

Ledci · 23/08/2024 08:31

SullysBabyMama · 23/08/2024 08:13

Don’t have a birth certificate, doesn’t do parent pay for school as it’s “easier” for HIM if she does all the admin….
I wonder if Mum considers it shared care.
My ex isn’t bad at all but he has his child 2 nights a week and claims 50/50…. Basic math says that isn’t true.

My ex doesn't have the birth certificates, I have them. He also doesn't do parent pay as its really bloody difficult to get 2 accounts so I said I'd do it and he pays me.
He's absolutely a good 50/50 Dad to them.

Lasttraintolondon · 23/08/2024 08:27

Sorry OP, having dealt with the CMS you're going to need to be exceptionally patient, persistent and document everything and every interaction.

Unfortunately they aren't fit for purpose for either mums or dads, resident or non-resident parents. Read the trustpilot reviews - the on thing ALL their 'customers' agree on is that they provide a terrible service.

There need to be many more checks and balanaces on them as an organisation.

Starlingexpress · 23/08/2024 08:23

How many siblings does he have?

Propal · 23/08/2024 08:19

I should clarify, it was not costing her £450 above the child’s basic needs, which she should be covering during her time with him as it is split equally.

OP posts:
Propal · 23/08/2024 08:17

@SullysBabyMama His ex was happy to do parent pay, I can only assume as she was getting £450 a month for 50/50 care. Let’s be honest, most months it was not costing her £450 to look after her child half the time. It’s only been since I became pregnant that she’s made this false claim I can only assume out of spite.

OP posts:
SullysBabyMama · 23/08/2024 08:13

Don’t have a birth certificate, doesn’t do parent pay for school as it’s “easier” for HIM if she does all the admin….
I wonder if Mum considers it shared care.
My ex isn’t bad at all but he has his child 2 nights a week and claims 50/50…. Basic math says that isn’t true.

Propal · 23/08/2024 08:12

Re care home fees, the fees are split between him and his siblings. The council want to liquidate all assets, which the siblings don’t want, this would include their family home. Some may find this mad, but the council also won’t pay for the lovely care home that his parents are in, as it is private. He does not pay this by himself as it is split proportionally, but the fees are still substantial.

She has claimed this money through deception and being fraudulent. My partner has always made sure that his child is well looked after, paid money (despite not needing to), his child does not go without and never would.

We have looked at obtaining a CAO this morning, it states we must go to mediation first. Is that true in all circumstances?

OP posts: