I don't think IABU but interested in opinions. My ex partner had been paying £40 per month maintenance for our daughter. He was working part time and CSA calculated payments at £90 but he was adamant he couldn't afford that. He is now claiming ESA(faking depression). I've been through a difficult time with him as he is emotionally abusive. That was part of the reason why I left him 3 years ago. He didn't pay anything for the first 2 years because I was stupidly still involved with him but after finding out he was having an affair last year I pushed for maintenance. He talked me into calling off the csa and accepting the lower payments(twice). In return for doing that he was fairly nice to me for a while and unblocked my number on his phone, offered the occasional lift to shops etc. Since then he has got more deeply involved with the other woman and I would imagine is taking advice from her.
He hasn't paid anything for the past 2 months. I confronted him today and he said that as he paid for school shoes and an iphone for her birthday he is not due to pay me until next month. His logic is that he could have sold her old iphone but instead allowed me to keep it. He said that the csa told him that birthday gifts are not supposed to be paid for on top of maintenance! I'm thinking about contacting CMS to open a case again. It's likely that he'll only have to pay £7 per week but maybe it's better than allowing him to have control over me. He only bought my daughter the phone so that he could make arrangements with her behind my back to stay with him at weekends. He doesn't ask me, they arrange it then my daughter tells me it's happening(she's 12). I know that he has money hidden away/makes money on the side but I can't prove it. I would appreciate opinions, thanks.