Child maintenance CSA

[Mamaof1x]

Hi all, just wanted some advice
small summary: single mum of one, living with my 3yo son. sons dad only sees him 4 times a year for a week at a time (his own decision) I organise everything regarding my son (getting him into nursery/preschool, doctors, hospital, applications for primary school) I do everything for my son. He pays me £500pm privately but I think he’s on 40k or more a year. He has 3 phone numbers which is sus and could be earning more. Would I be better off financially supporting my son going through CSA? How does it work.. thank you!

Bump

Use the calculator.

No one can say but £500 a month seems pretty good especially while avoiding any potential animosity with going through CSA

Have you put the £40k figure into the cms calculator? It’ll ask you about any other children your ex is responsible for, and the number of nights a year he spends with your child. It’s hard without the exact salary, but it’ll give you a rough idea.

It’s anecdotal, but I have an acquaintance who gets just less than £500 a month. Her child’s father earns £50k apparently, and doesn’t have him at all. But I obviously don’t know his exact circumstances.

There is already animosity which is why I was thinking to go through child maintenance to avoid anxiety of him stopping payments. I believe he could be on 47-50k a year

If he’s earning £50k a year his monthly payment would be £477.60. That would go down if he’s living in a home with children or if he becomes a father again.

https://www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance

You'd get less through CMS I'd have thought?

He is paying more than he legally has to based on the figures. Unless you are sure he will withhold payments I'd leave well alone personally

£500 a month from a wage of £40,000-£50,000 seems ok tbh. Are you struggling for money is that why you want to go CMS? As you get a decent amount you have to be prepared to accept it could go down through them.

He has 3 phone numbers which is sus and could be earning more.

He could be but only money declared to hmrc is calculated.

I am yes, unable to work as I'm looking after my son full time apart from two afternoons he's at nursery. No space to have him in for 30hrs and no other nursery's nearby. Don't have a car! Can't work because no one will hire me 3hrs twice a week so feeling very trapped and restricted - very frustrating as I've always worked hard and full time since I was 16/17

It’s so difficult isn’t it, I’m not sure what to suggest in your situation. If there is no way of making it work then the only thing to do would be have DS on a waiting list for extra hours incase a space comes up at nursery or wait until he starts school to give you more availability to go work. Not very helpful I know sorry.

It's shit, so ,maybe you need to move, or\and learn to drive?

that’s a lot i get £7 a week for my kids

I doubt you will get any more than 500. That's a huge amount

Tbh I don't think you'll get higher through CMS and there's a chance you could get less