Me and my ex husband separated last January after he had an affair. We have 2 children together and they were living with me at the time.
Unfortunately things turned very nasty when I wouldn't take him back and I ended up having to get an emergency non molestation order against him. He campaign of abuse against me had to stop so then he started to turn his attentions towards my older son. He filled my sons head with lies and very quickly my son wanted nothing to do with me and moved in with his dad.
I was advised before this when I had both children to apply for child maintenance by my solicitor. At this point he had been out the home 5 months and hadn't given me a single penny to help with the children as 'he couldn't afford it' he was still leading a very active social life in this time including drinking, drugs and buying himself lots of new things.
When we then had 1 child each the payments changed and I was paying him an amount and he was paying me an amount back. This ended up as him paying me £26 a month and all was fine.
Due to a very unplanned pregnancy with a new partner (pill failed!) I am currently on maternity leave so my pay is rubbish. Leave started in February and my wage dropped then and I've been struggling. Our annual review has just been completed and my payments have dropped because of my earnings and his has rose because his earnings have gone up. He now has to pay me £126 a month.
He has absolutely hit the roof! He has become very abusive again. Apparently I am a money grabber. He said that we shouldn't pay anything as we have 1 each. AIBU to refuse? I am currently struggling on much less income which does affect our child. I also have had a school trip for £420 come in (he's been so excited and his older brother went at the time so I don't feel I could say no) this extra money would really help to pay for these things without me having to panic about how to find the money. I have also paid out £160 last month for his football team on top of uniform. I have never asked if for help towards these extra things or has he ever offered. Our older son hasn't had any of these expenses just to add.
Sorry it's long. But AIBU for continuing with the claim? I plan to return to work in January so his payments will reduce again