To ask how to reply to this text

[moirarosebabay]

Abusive ex sends text to say he's reducing maintenance payments for our son. Maintenance was £224 per month agreed through solicitor in 2014 and has never increased since. I've recently heard from my son that exes girlfriend and their baby have moved out due to too much fighting. I'm assuming this is now him splitting maintenance to cover another child so think it's ridiculous he's talking about belt tightening Covid restrictions. Thinking I probably won't bother replying TBH. There is a lot I could say but engaging with him is probably not a good idea.

Why was your maintenance agreed through a solicitor? Go through the CMS, and stop letting him wiggle out of it.

It was done as part of separation agreement (he was saying he was going to move to India or kill himself but didn't do either)

Go through CMS so you're sure and he can't chop and change.

Oh what a great guy

Agree with PP. Do it officially through CMS

I think if he was paying more than CMS requires and is reducing to that amount then theres not a lot you can do. You can take it to court but it'll be a ballache and theres every chance they'll agree to the reduction.

Oh god no don’t engage directly OP - no good will come of it judging by what you’ve said about his past actions. Go through the CMS

Always love it when a person tries paying the bare minimum they're required to for their child.

@Twigletfairy

Always love it when a person tries paying the bare minimum they're required to for their child.

To the penny! This is a man with his mortgage paid off and loads of savings.

I’d suggest going to the CMS but be warned about just how bad the CMS is at handling a case where the military is involved. It took 2 years to sort mine out!

@Dablikeacrap

I’d suggest going to the CMS but be warned about just how bad the CMS is at handling a case where the military is involved. It took 2 years to sort mine out!

He's police not military, not sure if that makes a difference

Can’t you check the calculation yourself ?

Depends if you think he is paying in line with CMS or not...

@Nottherealslimshady

I think if he was paying more than CMS requires and is reducing to that amount then theres not a lot you can do. You can take it to court but it'll be a ballache and theres every chance they'll agree to the reduction.

This unfortunately

Id be very careful if you do go the cms route. My ex partner (who works 6 days a week so cannot see his daughter ) has wiggled out of paying £6 a week for 3 years. In my experience they are rubbish. Also if you go through them and his current ex does to they will split it anyway. Personally id take the hit and not respond as it won't get you anywhere. If you are tight on money because of it tell him DC is in need of a new coat or new trainers or whatever, easier to tell you no to money than it is telling u no to a item DC needs. X

His previous suggestions seem appealing op...
....

oh boy, having left a man cut from similar cloth, don't reply.

He will know what you're doing and what you're planning if you reply.

Not replying will make him a little bit nervous. He will be wondering if he can relax that you've just given up without a fight because you have so little expectation of him, or if you're going to go through the proper channels.

Good luck.

His wage is high, that contribution is pitiful, he should be ashamed of himself. Im so sorry you have to put up with him.

The only other response would be

"Oh yeah DS said that x has left you"

As a ‘Top-end’ sergeant the Police Fed puts his salary at 46k, which is £383 a month if he has your child for 2 nights a week.

www.polfed.org/pay/sergeant-pay-scales/

www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance

His text wants you to believe what he’s telling you, rather than go to the CMS.

Definitely take it up with them!

I wouldn’t expect a police man to be like this. Crazy

@Twigletfairy

Always love it when a person tries paying the bare minimum they're required to for their child.

Yes, it's such a low amount. A man with his mortgage paid off his happy to pay the bare minimum. Gee thanks Dad.

Save that text. Get it printed on a mug.

£224 seems low, I would speak to your solicitor.

@Stars1979

His wage is high, that contribution is pitiful, he should be ashamed of himself. Im so sorry you have to put up with him.

He should be ashamed.

The second time I went to court, the amount was increased and my x looked like he'd been robbed and mooched out looking like he'd been the victim of a knife attack but my mother said to his depressed face ''congratulations, now you can hold your head up high''

Luckily that seemed to be a script that appealed to him.

Go the CMS route and then you will be sure every month and he can’t mess you about

Furthermore, if he's a police sergeant, I can't see in what possible way he has had to tighten his belt. Public sector workers haven't felt the squeeze. I'd call his bluff. I think he should be paying more, if anything.