V high earning ex. Reasonable maintenance?

[Notsohorriblehistory]

Regular for 8 years but name changed in case ex may identify. We get on very well and I don’t want to rock the boat.

Our divorce is done and dusted over a year ago. It was amicable and straightforward. We kept his pensions and I kept equity in our house as a pension expert report concluded that almost equal.

So, maintenance. I have to work after our first child 8 years ago. I was 28 and on £50k and progressing well, so would likely be high earning now. I will return to work next week. Part time. Pro rata salary £17000 (working 3 days), so decent but quite a fall from where j was (and rightfully so!).

Anyway, ex is on £152k plus £60k bonus. In early forties so salary likely to increase significantly. His monthly take home pay after pension contributions is about £7.2k

He pays me £2300 a month. This is to cover absolutely everything. Mortgage (£850), children, life. Everything. He has the children 3 nights a month. He will pay this until our youngest is 18 (12 years away). We have two children.

Thoughts?

I thought ok. My solicitor thought ok.

But friends think I have been utterly taken advantage of.

Thanks

That on top of your salary is more than enough I would say

Going by the rule of 25% of salary it’s low. Does he pay extra for anything else? School fees, holidays etc.

But yes, I agree that it sounds like you won’t be hard up?

Its ok but he could have given you £3k and still had plenty to live on himself. That would have covered your mortgage and also given you £1000 per kid per month which would be very usefull.

Do you think he would increase?

Sorry he kept his pensions

How much does it work out at on the CSA calculator. I don't think he's paying enough by the sound of it.

How much equity is in the house

I don't think he is paying enough. If he only has them 3 days a month he is not contributing much to his kids at all in relation to what he earns and his probable lifestyle. I'm sure you will get posters telling you that you should be grateful for anything though.

No he won’t give me. Not that I have asked

We agreed the figure through mediation and solicitors. And that is discussion is over with in his eyes.

And mine too I suppose

Just chatting with friends over coffee and they were really surprised. Considering I gave up very good salary so raise our children. Meanwhile his career rocketed.

Plus three of us on £2300
1 him in £5000

For perspective, my husband and I both take home a joint monthly income of £2300 both working full time.

I assume your child/ren will still benefit from his high earnings (holidays, birthdays, Christmases, God forbid, inheritance). It sounds like your salary will pretty much be disposable income?
At what point does child maintenance (and it sounds like you can cover all living costs on that) become excessive?

On the calculator it is £1450 a month

I don’t get any of his pension from next year on (last year I got 40%, this year 10%. Next 0)

£7.2k

If you had 25% of his income that would be £1800 per month

You’re actually receiving 32% of his income

What percentage do your friends believe would be correct?

40%

Op it appears he is already paying more than he would be. Careful what you wish for, you may end up worse off.

Why 40% if there is just one of him and three of you?

Thing is you went to mediation and you both sorted out a deal that suited your lifestyles moving forward

Your income isn’t £2300 though, that’s just his contribution

Yours is another £1100? Plus child benefit?

He could just pay the CSA minimum so is it worth raising this? Also, I presume when you gave up your career you had some say in it too? He didn’t force you?

Laurie - £1100 extra?

Initially it appears low but you have to add on your salary plus CB. Also do you get any other benefits like tax credits or do they take into account child maintenance?

I assume he will need to pay for another property be it a mortgage or rent which will be much higher than your £850.

I’m not going to go back for me. A) I don’t want to go back there B) it’s been formally and legally agreed documented in a Financial Order

I just asked for a view from mumsnet. No ulterior motive

Vas would be 20% of income for 2 dc

Ah sorry Laurie - you meant my salary

If on 17k & CB your monthly income would be around 1,350k

He will not be paying a penny for childcare. The money he gives me is for everything - uniform, school clubs, holidays, mortgage, bills etc