What happens to child benefit on separation?

Childbendivision1 · 2023-08-19T09:20:50+00:00

I should probably post in a different category but I find here has best traffic. My question is what happens to child benefit once you separate and have the dc 50:50. I currently claim it, do I need to half it? Can we claim one child each maybe? He earns just over 25k more than me if that has any bearing? AIBU to think It should just stay as it is?

BoohooWoohoo · 19/08/2023 10:22

One child each is a popular solution. Does he earn over the threshold ? My ex does so claiming it wouldn't be of any use to him.

Original poster

Childbendivision1 · 19/08/2023 10:24

Oh sorry we are not uk…so no threshold here. I should have added that 😩

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Shurleyknot · 19/08/2023 11:05

Where are you?

dementedpixie · 19/08/2023 11:08

I'd just keep claiming it and deal with it later if he realises you still get it.

FloweryName · 19/08/2023 11:11

If you’re doing 50/50 care then the free money should go to each parent 50/50 too.

If there’s a big difference in your earnings then it might work out better for the lower earning parent to keep it all, but the higher earning parent should have to agree to it.

Original poster

Childbendivision1 · 19/08/2023 11:11

@Shurleyknot rep of Ireland

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Original poster

Childbendivision1 · 19/08/2023 11:12

@FloweryName yeah there’s a 25k difference but both higher rate tax payers

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Shurleyknot · 19/08/2023 11:12

Childbendivision1 · 19/08/2023 11:11

@Shurleyknot rep of Ireland

And he got 50/50 custody? Is this a court order? i would say nothing for now to be honest. I have never heard of anyone down here sharing CB before. Mind you I never hear anyone down here with 50/50 custody through courts either.

Original poster

Childbendivision1 · 19/08/2023 11:13

@Shurleyknot we haven’t been to court yet at all, we want to do this amicably, I wouldn’t want the dc to not see him 50% of the time. I couldn’t have that it’s not fair to them.

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Zanatdy · 19/08/2023 11:14

Childbendivision1 · 19/08/2023 11:12

@FloweryName yeah there’s a 25k difference but both higher rate tax payers

Do you still claim it? I am a higher rate tax payer since promotion last year. I claimed it the first year and did a tax return to pay back what I owner but I’ve cancelled it now as I would just have to repay it al anyway

Original poster

Childbendivision1 · 19/08/2023 11:20

@Zanatdy as I have stayed above, we are in Ireland. It is not means tested here. Sorry

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Shurleyknot · 19/08/2023 11:22

Well in that case you keep it because I cannot imagine being able to get half put in one bank account and the other in the other one. Also if he earns more then maybe just use it for its actual pupose, kids uniforms and clubs and things and dont ask him for anything towards them.

ChesCazza · 19/08/2023 11:22

The parent who earns less gets it. That's what we have done.

DimplesToadfoot · 19/08/2023 11:24

My GDs mum and dad do 50/50, mum gets 100% of the child benefit, she also got a council house, UC for my GD, CoL payments, help with council tax etc, so she gets money for the 2 weeks she doesn't have her, GDs dad gets nothing.

saveforthat · 19/08/2023 11:24

When my friend got divorced they claimed for one child each

Shurleyknot · 19/08/2023 11:26

DimplesToadfoot · 19/08/2023 11:24

My GDs mum and dad do 50/50, mum gets 100% of the child benefit, she also got a council house, UC for my GD, CoL payments, help with council tax etc, so she gets money for the 2 weeks she doesn't have her, GDs dad gets nothing.

The OP is in Ireland and it is done different here.

Shurleyknot · 19/08/2023 11:26

saveforthat · 19/08/2023 11:24

When my friend got divorced they claimed for one child each

In Ireland?

Badbudgeter · 19/08/2023 11:31

I claim it although we are roughly 50/50. I pay for all the kids extra curricular stuff out of it. Swimming lessons/ ballet lessons/ rugby and I sort out new kit as needed probably about 80% of child benefit over a year. The rest aId consider a contribution to petrol and snacks.

Original poster

Childbendivision1 · 19/08/2023 11:35

Shurleyknot · 19/08/2023 11:22

Well in that case you keep it because I cannot imagine being able to get half put in one bank account and the other in the other one. Also if he earns more then maybe just use it for its actual pupose, kids uniforms and clubs and things and dont ask him for anything towards them.

@Shurleyknot yes that’s what I’m thinking

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DimplesToadfoot · 19/08/2023 11:54

Shurleyknot · 19/08/2023 11:26

The OP is in Ireland and it is done different here.

Show quote history

When I wrote my post I didn't know that and I'm no psychic.

To the op please feel free to ignore my post :-)

Original poster

Childbendivision1 · 19/08/2023 11:56

@Badbudgeter that’s also what I was thinking, extracurricular costs etc 👍

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Shouldbedoing · 19/08/2023 11:59

There will always be one parent leading on the family admin in a 50:50 arrangement. Will exDH be sourcing uniforms, shoes, paying school trips, books, subsidies, booking medical appointments etc

Laurdo · 19/08/2023 12:20

We have my stepkids 50/50 and their mum claims the child benefit. DH earns more than her plus it wasn't worth the hassle changing things as she's very high conflict.

Original poster

Childbendivision1 · 19/08/2023 12:23

Shouldbedoing · 19/08/2023 11:59

There will always be one parent leading on the family admin in a 50:50 arrangement. Will exDH be sourcing uniforms, shoes, paying school trips, books, subsidies, booking medical appointments etc

To be fair to him @Shouldbedoing he is very good, if he sees they need new shoes he’ll bring them to get them, school uniform is more me but yes he will do all of that if needed and not always needs to be asked. If the dc say they need money for a trip etc then he will deal with it.

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