to think this is the right level of child support

[hellycat]

Times are so hard I have had to ask my kids father for maintenance. He's an unpleasant character and I never have before now. Separated 7.5 years.

I left him and he got the house. We have never been compensated for it - bought out, whatever. Mortgage is approx £200 pcm, ten years left on it to pay. He pays it, I pay rent.

This guy inherited £35K less than two years ago.

I contacted the CMS as I thought a private arrangement would be a disaster. They worked out that he needs to pay £390 pcm for three kids. He was furious that it was set so high.

He earns £25,000 pa.

He agreed to set up a standing order from 30 Nov, but there has been no payment. He is prone to gaslighting and telling untruths about his affairs, so this did not surprise me.

I have a sneaking feeling that he has squandered his nest egg and is living hand to mouth, and the SO, even if it was set up, has been declined or something.

Would you have any sympathy with him? What is the next move?

If he continues not to pay they can take it directly from his wages.

the amount sounds reasonable to me. Did you arrange payment direct to you ? Contact CMS and ask for the collection service . He should be at least paying for his children . Why did you not get a settlement from the house?

Get the CMS to deal with it. They've got it wrong, they've calculated it on his earnings. You don't need to feel sorry for him, he's not feel sorry for you.

They've not got it wrong

The CMS will have done their calc correctly.

Why on earth you didn't pursue him for cash for 7.5 years is baffling....regardless of whether you needed it that money is for your children and could have literally just been saved for them.

However.....shoulda, woulda, coulda!

Now you're here and claiming immediately report the fact he hasn't paid to CMS. As another poster mentioned they can garnish his wages if he doesn't get himself sorted.

Were you married? Were you on the mortgage for the house? Are you still on the mortgage?

Go through CMS and get them to deduct from his wages. You won't get a back payment so you've missed out on 7 years of his money!!!

All that stuff about is inheritance is irrelevant. It's his salary they are interested in

I know, it's ridiculous. But it's only the past year or so he's had a proper f/t job.

How often does he have the kids? £390 seems high in CSA calculations on £25k a year unless he never has them?

(Not debating it's what he should pay or shouldn't pay btw. Just surprised me based on what my exh paid his ex)

Is the house still on the table? If you weren't married, didn't divorce and you're on the paperwork, couldn't you work on it now?

Personally I think they should backdate CMS because the child existed and they knew and didn't pay. But whatever.

3 children, no more of his own, and he never has them. I have managed until now without support but jeez the cost of living atm and they are all going through crazy growth sprouts.

Ah well if he hasn't ever seen them then Fiat play, that amount seems fair