child maintenance

[Lilyannarose]

Ex partner is currently not paying any child support at all for the three children we have together.

He feels he is exempt from making these payments as he has a gambling addiction.
He literally blows his entire month's wages (he has a good, well paid job) the minute it hits his bank.
He lives with his parents, and has no payments to worry about (other than the huge debts he has occurred!), while I'm the one with the mortgage, bills and three children to feed and clothe single handedly.

I have contacted the CSA who advised setting up a standing order for the date his wages go in each month, but I don't trust him not to cancel this.

It's causing me so much stress it's unreal.
Our youngest child is severely disabled and I really don't need this additional worry.

I'm wondering now if what he's saying is right (that he should be exempt from payment due to his problem) and whether I'm expecting too much of him.

Absolutely not. What a complete arsehole. You need need to phone CSA back and insist they take it via Direct Pay. He’ll be charged for this service but tough luck, he’s got responsibilities and it sounds like you won’t get a penny otherwise. I hope you get it sorted ASAP

CMS will likely ask you to try a standing order arrangement before moving to direct pay but it's still worth doing as at most you'll have a couple of months more of non payment

Don’t let CSA fob you off, they’ll try and put the onus back on you so stand your ground and explain about the gambling addiction and your disabled DC.

he should absolutely be giving you child mantainance! The fact her has a gambling problem is neither here nor there. I think for three kids it’s 19% of gross income.

CSA should be able to arrange this and have it come straight out of his wages before they go to him.