More Child Maintenance???

[Dizzytaff]

Hi, I’m looking for some advice.

My partner has been paying child maintenace (through their own private arrangement- not CSA) to his ex partner for the past 4 years. They have exact shared custody for their 9 year old son.

His ex claims the child benefit for their son. She works fulltime and lives with her partner who also works fulltime.
My partner & I both work full time and we live together with my 15 year old son. We are also expecting our first baby together which is due in December.

My partners ex is now demanding more money because in her words, she has to go without so she can give to her son. Not forgetting that she goes on holiday every year, she's out nearly every week and is always in new clothes. Before my partner met me, he had to live on £10 per week for food so this mostly went on his son. He never had his heating on, he never goes on holiday and we must go out about once every 3 months.

Is it true that under the new Child Maintenance Service guidlines (not CSA) he would no longer have to pay any child maintenance due to the fact he has exact shared care of his son?

He doesn't begrudge paying for his son but I think she's got a cheek to ask for more money!

I guess I'm just curious to know if there's anyone out there in a similar situation to us. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If as you say you have the children 50/50 and you guys pay half of everything why are you paying maintenance? If care is 50/50 then you are not paying for the children you are just giving her pocket money. Contact CMS, under their rukes you don't need to give her anything. That's ridiculous

I struggle to understand why he pays anything when he has 50% custody

You presumably knew when you got together and planned a child that he had obligations to an existing child?

Ah, there it is. The default setting of MN. You're not allowed to be angry/upset/confused/sad/surprised ad finitum because you've chosen to have a relationship with somebody who has a child.

And as for getting pregnant? How dare you??

Never mind that mum is in a relationship. Never mind dad has shared care. He's a man therefore he is scum and you don't deserve any happiness.

Honestly, do yourself a favour and post elsewhere.