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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

EX has stopped child support, should I stop X-MIL from seeing child?

123 replies

Lfp · 22/10/2022 21:25

I realise the title does indeed make me look totally unreasonable - but, bare with me.

A bit of history;

XH and DD (10) have not had contact for a year. He and his GF are abusive towards her. We are secretly in the process of full custody agreement.

divorce was 5 years ago and because of the same abusive/unreasonable behaviour.

XH and I had a agreement regarding child support for the last 5 years via a direct debit.

I have a DS too with my current fiancé &
work late evenings in a bar as that fits us best .

A couple of months ago, XH came into my place of work with GF and a friend of theirs for a drink, they peered through the glass to check I was there first - They do this every now and again, usually around an ‘event’. This particular time it was DD’s birthday, two days later.

GF also has a chequered history with another employee so they makes us both uncomfortable. As I was in charge of the shift, I politely told their friend “I’m sorry but you’re presence in here makes the staff uncomfortable myself included and nobody is willing to serve you - there’s plenty of other bars & I think you’d be better suited elsewhere” a minute later there was a lot of screaming and slagging off DD but, I didn’t react and they left.

XH has since tried to get me fired and has told a different version of events to the locals of the bar he knows.

Being refused service (and now subsequently barred) had damaged his pride massively so, he stopped child support payments as a FU. I know it has been cancelled because it usually goes in on the 13th of the month like clockwork, as he knows I have an irritation hatred of that number!

Now my XH is not a typical ‘deadbeat’ he has a successful business and several properties including a successful airbnb.

When we were together he earned over 90K a year and since our divorce his portfolio has continued to grow. Not that it matters, but FYI, I walked away from that marriage with enough for a down payment for a flat and nothing else, as I just wanted to escape. So his business, the family home and other assets stayed with him.

This is where X-MIL comes into it.

She is an accountant.

She fudges his books and puts all the properties and assets in her or her husbands name. They also hid a LOT during our divorce (which can even be seen via companies house!) not that I fought for them anyway. His filings show he claims to earn between 9-12K a year and all his other properties are out of his name. So when it comes to claiming maintenance payments through CSA it looks like - after expenses, he earns nothing and daughter won’t get the money she’s entitled too. fiancé, kids and I now live in a lovely house and do ok but we use the money for her hobbies: guitar lessons, rock climbing etc and anything extra needed.

X-MIL is his enabler. He is smart and crafty and he gets away with everything. I’ve reported his fraud several times but, they know all the loopholes.

X-MIL still has a relationship with DD on her terms, she’ll randomly text “can I see her on Sunday?” And then take her out for tea.

She’s text today asking for Friday or Sunday this week as it’s half term and I feel like I want to say no. DD isn’t too fussed either way and I feel like I want to set a boundary:
her son reinstates the maintenance payments or no, she can’t have access. She is the 2nd biggest factor as to why we can’t claim what she should be entitled too and there should be some blame consequences.

Maybe I’m just being petty? but, I’m tired of fighting this behaviour or been abused at work/school, having untrue rumours circulating. Im sick of been the bigger person and taking injustice on the chin.

DD isn’t a pawn I know but, I don’t know what else to say or do?

OP posts:
LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 22/10/2022 21:28

If your DD isn’t fussed then don’t send her.

MIL is very clearly Team ExH and Team Covering Up For Him so it feels like this is probably part of their little coven of ‘FU’-ness.

Thebig3 · 22/10/2022 21:32

I would have stopped her having a relationship with her before now if that's how she is. She doesn't get to enable him and then see your daughter. YANBU!

GettingItOutThere · 22/10/2022 21:32

If she isnt fussed (Dd) then no do not send her

I would not want my daughter in the middle of this shit show anyhow and stop her seeing MIL anyhow

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 22/10/2022 21:35

If your daughter isn't fussed I wouldn't be sending her either.

MandyMotherOfBrian · 22/10/2022 21:36

Slightly off topic, but if they transferred all his property assets to his parents names, then they did pay all the relevant Capital Gains Tax didn’t they?

mathanxiety · 22/10/2022 21:36

Yes, no need to send her.

If she wants access she can go to court for it.

CatSeany · 22/10/2022 21:38

100% wouldn't let her see your daughter. She's withholding support from your daughter by manipulating her son's finances. She can't just continue to have a happy relationship with her whilst doing that.

HangOnToYourself · 22/10/2022 21:39

This woman is deliberately taking money away from your daughter, she can take a running jump

CakeIsNotAvailable · 22/10/2022 21:40

I think you're being unreasonable. Children aren't pay-per-view and I wouldn't stop her seeing her grandchild because of a dispute about CMS. Your child may well benefit from some sort of connection with her paternal family as she gets older.

If your ex-MIL currently has regular contact, she could seek permission to take you to court to reinstate contact.

Morred · 22/10/2022 21:42

“Yes, that’d be great. Can you take her shopping for xyz? She’d love that and needs some new stuff and since ExH cancelled his support suddenly it’ll be lovely that she doesn’t miss out or feel too let down.”

Goodadvice1980 · 22/10/2022 21:42

YANBU. Your DD is better off without a deadbeat dad and toxic MIL.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 22/10/2022 21:44

Yes. Stop access to mil. She backed the wrong horse.

Thehop · 22/10/2022 21:46

YANBU t all. She wants to help golden boy screw your dd out of money she doesn’t get to see her.

Fraaahnces · 22/10/2022 21:46

Absolutely don’t let her see the grandparents. Also report them to HMRC for covering his evil arse. I imagine an accountant might like to keep her Licence.

Fraaahnces · 22/10/2022 21:48

Oh, and don’t tell her why you’re not letting her see your kid. Just say no, you’re busy and keep putting her off. Report them all and let karma do it’s magic via the law.

Untitledsquatboulder · 22/10/2022 21:48

YANBU and I really didn't think I was going to think that when I clicked on this thread.

Tiani4 · 22/10/2022 21:49

You can't send a text that says make your sim reinstate maintenance or you can't see your DGD

You can however say "I asked DD and she doesn't want to"
I wouldn't encourage a relationship with this MIL who is unreliable in contact and also as you said she's manipulative. But be clever how you do it. It's all about your child's well-being ...

FrippEnos · 22/10/2022 21:49

From what you have posted neither you or your DD get much out of the relationship.

If your DD isn't bothered about seeing her, then you shouldn't be bothered either.

Coffeaddict · 22/10/2022 21:51

Untitledsquatboulder · 22/10/2022 21:48

YANBU and I really didn't think I was going to think that when I clicked on this thread.

This

Dacadactyl · 22/10/2022 21:52

Have you asked ex MIL why she is fudging his books?

It just doesn't ring true to me that she would do this one hand, while simultaneously caring enough about your DD to want to see her? Doesn't make sense to me. Surely she knows children can't live on fresh air.

feelthebeatfromthetangerine · 22/10/2022 21:52

If you 1) genuinely think MIL is trying to financially screw over DD and 2) MIL is qualified accountant, threaten to report her to her professional body. Real accountants don't want to be struck off, and their professional bodies are more likely to take an allegation of shitty behaviour more seriously than the CSA.

If MIL is the enabler for the ex's shitty behaviour, cut off the enablement via the above mechanism. He doesn't sound bright enough to hide assets without any help.

Worthyornot · 22/10/2022 21:52

Yanbu, she can see your dd on her son's time. You don't need to facilitate anything with her. They all sound toxic and you are well rid.

Cameleongirl · 22/10/2022 21:55

If she’s helped her son hide assets, resulting in your DD not receiving the financial support she’s entitled to, she clearly doesn’t really care about her granddaughter, does she? If she did, she’d want her to be provided for.

These occasional tea are just her playing happy families for a few hours. If your DD doesn’t particularly want to go anyway, stop them.

RFPO77 · 22/10/2022 21:55

Omg I came on here expecting to give a rant about how unreasonable that was but what a pair of c*s, absolutely I wouldn't facilitate ex MIL contact 💐

Cameleongirl · 22/10/2022 21:57

Ex-MIL probably likes telling people that she takes her granddaughter out for tea ( because she’s such a wonderful granny, not).