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Original poster

Is anyone happy with what they get for child maintenance?

162 replies

greipfaa · 04/01/2023 19:40

I have another thread on this and can’t link it. Feeling frustrated and deflated and like the piss is being taken. Ex has huge savings and about to give up a high paying job. So apparently our daughter has nothing from him.

OP posts:
taxpayer1 · 08/01/2023 16:22

Gigglechop · 08/01/2023 16:12

be sure trying to calculate monthly cost if you do have a child?

No one can possibly help you with this unless in precisely same financial boat as you and same approach to parenting

Show quote history

Kind of. Some people say children are so expensive but some say they are very cheap and hardly cost anything once they are in full-time education (on top of the normal costs of a household).

Gigglechop · 08/01/2023 16:29

taxpayer1 · 08/01/2023 16:22

Kind of. Some people say children are so expensive but some say they are very cheap and hardly cost anything once they are in full-time education (on top of the normal costs of a household).

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ALL depends on individual financial circumstances combined with how you choose to parent

taxpayer1 · 08/01/2023 16:39

Gigglechop · 08/01/2023 16:29

ALL depends on individual financial circumstances combined with how you choose to parent

Show quote history

How about the basics so the child is well-fed, clothed, and healthy?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
Gigglechop · 08/01/2023 16:41

taxpayer1 · 08/01/2023 16:39

How about the basics so the child is well-fed, clothed, and healthy?

Show quote history

Again, nope.

your “basic” may be very different from my “basic”

do you mean “basic” in the sense of keeping your child alive?!

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 08/01/2023 16:41

taxpayer1 · 08/01/2023 16:39

How about the basics so the child is well-fed, clothed, and healthy?

Show quote history

That would depend where you buy clothes from though. My teens are happy in primark (despite claims i see on here all the time that teens won't eat primark)
My sister refuses to shop there and then moans that her ex doesn't pay enough maintenance to cover clothes.

taxpayer1 · 08/01/2023 16:52

Gigglechop · 08/01/2023 16:41

Again, nope.

your “basic” may be very different from my “basic”

do you mean “basic” in the sense of keeping your child alive?!

Show quote history

I mean how much do they cost you for example? So a PP says 300x2 is enough. Do you consider it enough?

Gigglechop · 08/01/2023 17:06

No. Not for me at all. One child alone…. They do a sport which costs £195 a month.

add on 1-2-1 swim lessons
fact I buy mainly organic food (and because they do much sport… they eat a lot!)
the fact my DD has sensitive skin so I buy premium skin care
my DS is indifferent to brands other than trainers… and they are expensive and he’s growing like a green bean.
my DS at secondary and has a phone

i could go on. And on

get my drift?

Gigglechop · 08/01/2023 17:09

And they go to independent school…. And £300 wouldn’t touch the side l. But I wasn’t thinking of that re my point as presuming not relevant if asking whether £300 “enough”

in short, I’m afraid @taxpayer1 no one can give you a remotely realistic idea unless you posted your finances in full, the type of child and what they enjoy and your priorities re spending.

taxpayer1 · 08/01/2023 17:10

Gigglechop · 08/01/2023 17:09

And they go to independent school…. And £300 wouldn’t touch the side l. But I wasn’t thinking of that re my point as presuming not relevant if asking whether £300 “enough”

in short, I’m afraid @taxpayer1 no one can give you a remotely realistic idea unless you posted your finances in full, the type of child and what they enjoy and your priorities re spending.

Ok. thanks your the explanation.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 08/01/2023 17:57

£300 is “enough” if that’s a fair contribution from the NRP’s salary.

If they’re on NMW it’s probably going to be more than a “fair” contribution percentage wise.

If my high earning ex contributed that it would be tight and unfair on the DDs.

If they’re on 200k a week in the Premier League it would be an absolute joke.

Its impossible to set a fixed amount that is enough, or acceptable, or fair, for everyone because finances and situations are relevant.

Fireandflames · 29/10/2023 11:30

He previously paid me £275 for five years and I never asked for more, but recently my bills have been crazy so I asked for the actual cms amount which is £341. He was ok with it thankfully.

Valtine2 · 17/02/2024 19:45

musingsinmidlife · 05/01/2023 12:44

Most housing expenses are going to be across both households (heat, rent, utilities) so each parent should pay their own. Kids need these at both houses and parents each have to provide this to have safe housing for their child when the child is with them.

If the father is refusing to take the child for 50/50, then he can pay a slight increase for the imbalance in days but housing expenses don't decrease very much when the child isn't home (rent doesn't change and the heat / water / electric bill difference isn't major).

Child activities and expenses specific to the child should be split. Food again relative to how much time they spend at each house.

Sit down and calculate exactly how much you are spending per month only on the child. Not on things that are an expense across both homes or are an expense even when the child isn't at the home.

I love opinions like these. Slight increase? You seem to have forgotten that the NRP can work full time and overtime. Where as RP has to do all the drops and picks ups too. Cover school holidays, inset days and sick days. It's not just about the money is it?

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