Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

child maintenance criminals

43 replies

CMsCriminals · 25/02/2025 17:50

This department s an absolute disgrace
I have overpayment of £6.515.32 after they hounded me for money for a child that was not mine and refuses o return the money to me.

OP posts:
NotTheDebtDoctorWithTheHungryScalpel · 26/02/2025 22:48

Faaa · 26/02/2025 21:43

Court proceedings in fractious relationships (which is what we are discussing) are clearly damaging to children and to the relationship between parents. That’s why you have to attend a MIAM, mediation, CAFCASS and a dispute hearing beforehand, and it’s written all over the court documents that child arrangement orders are a last resort. But go ahead and disagree with the numerous agencies I’ve just mentioned.

You're acting like you're the only person with experience with any of this.

You're really not.

Faaa · 27/02/2025 07:43

NotTheDebtDoctorWithTheHungryScalpel · 26/02/2025 22:48

You're acting like you're the only person with experience with any of this.

You're really not.

No, I am just relaying factual information.

Courts do everything to try and get parents to make private arrangements. There’s a long process before a court just makes an order. The court’s reasoning is that it is always better for parents and children to work cooperatively than to get court orders. That’s why you have to attend mediation and meetings with CAFCASS first, to see if you can reach an agreement outside of course. I’m not sure why people are arguing against facts.

The National Audit Office annually refuses to sign off The Child Maintenances accounts because they cannot make sense of their figures, finances, arrears, payments etc.

https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/child-maintenance-client-funds-accounts-2020-21/

I am both a receiving parent and the partner of a paying parent, I have no ‘skin in the game’ on either side. I just think that the issues relating to paying parents and the CMS should also be recognised and given air time - it’s not fit for purpose for anyone!

Lostcat · 27/02/2025 07:46

Faaa · 26/02/2025 18:01

It is do with the media, Mumsnet is a part of the media and the rhetoric that is shared here, mostly by women given it is a female driven site.

The CMS is dreadful for receiving parents (most of whom are women). Men are able to go self-employed, not declare income, duck and dive. I’ve experienced this first hand.

It is equally as dreadful for paying parents (most of whom are men). My partner’s ex opened a fraudulent case against him, claiming he never had his children overnight, even though it was 50/50. This lead to demands for money in the thousands of pounds, which took months for my partner to sort out. The CMS’ attitude is to believe the woman (receiving parent) no matter what. Good luck proving otherwise if you have a vindictive, spiteful ex. This isn’t a rare occurrence either, and has tragically lead to men committing suicide.

It’s not a one-sided issue.

The CMS’ attitude is to believe the woman (receiving parent) no matter what

well this is absolutely NOT true for a start. So also makes me highly doubt the veracity of the rest of your claims.

Lostcat · 27/02/2025 07:51

Dramatic · 26/02/2025 20:33

Well anecdotally they believed my ex over me when he tried to say he had our daughter 50/50 when he hadn't even seen her for 6 months.

Right. But if you were that pp you would use it to claim that the CMS attitude is to believe men no matter what.

my friend dealing with similar to you.

that poster keeps saying “The paying parent just has to ‘suck up’ whatever the receiving parent chooses to tell the CMS” absolutely complete and utter bollocks.

Faaa · 27/02/2025 07:52

Lostcat · 27/02/2025 07:46

The CMS’ attitude is to believe the woman (receiving parent) no matter what

well this is absolutely NOT true for a start. So also makes me highly doubt the veracity of the rest of your claims.

If you claim the child benefit then it’s written into Child Maintenance Legislation that you are the receiving / resident parent and therefore, they will ‘believe’ you. The only exception to this is if there is a court order e.g. 50/50. If that is not being followed, the CMS will accept the court order anyway because it’s the most accurate information that they have.

Faaa · 27/02/2025 07:53

Those whose exes are lying about 50/50 - do you have court orders that state that this is the case?

Faaa · 27/02/2025 07:54

Lostcat · 27/02/2025 07:51

Right. But if you were that pp you would use it to claim that the CMS attitude is to believe men no matter what.

my friend dealing with similar to you.

that poster keeps saying “The paying parent just has to ‘suck up’ whatever the receiving parent chooses to tell the CMS” absolutely complete and utter bollocks.

Edited

It’s written in Child Maintenances Legislation that the claimant of the Child Benefit (mostly women) are the resident parent.

Quinlan · 27/02/2025 07:55

CMsCriminals · 26/02/2025 09:23

why

They took the money and passed it on

It takes months and months for them to set up a deduction from earnings order, or any other method they use for taking the money. Months.
They agree to paternity tests the first time you ask, and stop any proceedings until the mother agrees. As long as you don’t hold it up by taking ages to give your sample.
The first time they contacted you, all you had to say was that you wanted a paternity test and they would say yes, no problem, you pay for it and we’ll get it all sorted and wait for the results.

If they were able to go through their whole process of taking the money (which takes months) then it means you didn’t bother to sort out or ask for a paternity test. It’s your own fault.

MoodEnhancer · 27/02/2025 07:57

ChonkyRabbit · 25/02/2025 17:53

Sir this is a Wendy's

Properly laughed out loud at this! Bravo!

Lostcat · 27/02/2025 07:57

Faaa · 27/02/2025 07:52

If you claim the child benefit then it’s written into Child Maintenance Legislation that you are the receiving / resident parent and therefore, they will ‘believe’ you. The only exception to this is if there is a court order e.g. 50/50. If that is not being followed, the CMS will accept the court order anyway because it’s the most accurate information that they have.

Can you point me to this legislation please?
Because it is absolutely 100% not how it works in practice, all of the time, as any number of receiving parents will be able to share with you.
Id really like to see this so I can share it with my friend to help her sort out the mess she’s clearly dealing with where her ex called up the CMS (this has happened several times) and told them false information and they automatically took his word for it and reduced her payments.

ItShouldntHappenToMeYet · 27/02/2025 07:58

CleanShirt · 25/02/2025 17:54

🤣🤣🤣🤣 howling.

Ok, I am old. What is a Wendy's?

Faaa · 27/02/2025 08:02

@Lostcat Page 17 / 18 if the image is not clear.

Lostcat · 27/02/2025 08:09

Faaa · 27/02/2025 08:02

@Lostcat Page 17 / 18 if the image is not clear.

As I fully suspected- I can’t see anything on that at all saying that the CMS will “ automatically believe women no matter what”.

it simply says that there is a starting presumption that the person who receives child benefit is the person with care.
which makes total reasonable sense.

Faaa · 27/02/2025 08:14

Lostcat · 27/02/2025 08:09

As I fully suspected- I can’t see anything on that at all saying that the CMS will “ automatically believe women no matter what”.

it simply says that there is a starting presumption that the person who receives child benefit is the person with care.
which makes total reasonable sense.

Edited

I’ve clearly stated that the recipient of Child Benefit is considered the resident parent, which in 99% of cases is the woman. Child benefit isn’t a considered decision when you are in a couple, people don’t consider or aren’t aware of all the ramifications such as how it might affect future Child Maintenance cases. It’s usually an, ‘alright, you claim it’ decision.

You can’t reason with people who just think men = bad 🙄

Lostcat · 27/02/2025 08:20

Faaa · 27/02/2025 08:14

I’ve clearly stated that the recipient of Child Benefit is considered the resident parent, which in 99% of cases is the woman. Child benefit isn’t a considered decision when you are in a couple, people don’t consider or aren’t aware of all the ramifications such as how it might affect future Child Maintenance cases. It’s usually an, ‘alright, you claim it’ decision.

You can’t reason with people who just think men = bad 🙄

I’ve clearly stated that the recipient of Child Benefit is considered the resident parent,

that’s got nothing to do with your claim:

“the CMS will believe women no matter what”.

Of course they would start with (note also “start with”) a presumption that the person receiving child benefit would be the receiving parent. that’s basic common sense.

My friend’s ex has called the service several times and lied about his circumstances getting his payments reduced. The operator didn’t verify his information they just took his word. He’s been doing this since payments started and causing no end of trouble ,

But yeh continue with your male rights activism bollocks.

SirDanielBrackley · 27/02/2025 08:27

ItShouldntHappenToMeYet · 27/02/2025 07:58

Ok, I am old. What is a Wendy's?

Same here. I'm thinking of the burger place. Does that even exist anymore?

NikKai · 27/02/2025 18:16

CMsCriminals · 26/02/2025 09:23

why

They took the money and passed it on

And i repeat.

You legally and morally had the option to deny paternity, then they will arrange the test for a few hundred, at your expense, and only then can they take money from you.

I know this because two months ago when my claim was accepted, i asked them what happens if he tries to be a dick and deny paternity. They told me the above.

I also know, that the fact they were "taking" money, as you quoted, means that you did the same thing my sons useless deadbeat so called father did, and ignored them/refused to pay, so they were forced to take from your wages or whatever pay you get. Same happened to me. He ignored and they forced.

There are three options.

Private set up between parents.

Set up between parents and child maintenance service but willingly so- you send the money.

And collect and pay - forced from wages or whatever income.

In all these options, you had the chance to question paternity. Once sure, you proceed accordingly. You didn't do this. I suspect because you tried to dodge payments until you were forced, like my ex did.

So i have zero sympathy

New posts on this thread. Refresh page