Child maintenance

[Waitthenwhat]

I am divorcing a narcissistic with serious financial misconduct. Any idea at what stage I can apply for child maintenance? Do I need to wait for him to move out before I do so or can I apply now? Also, he is contracting and paying himself the bare minimum through his Ltd company. How would that be dealt with by CMS?

This isn't sounding good OP. I would get in touch with CMS as soon as possible.

Unfortunately CMS is based upon what is declared by the paying party so if he's fiddling you may get next to nothing!

Good luck with that!

If your finances are currently separated. Then you can start the ball rolling with CMS.

Actually getting the money from someone who is self employed isn't easy. Do you know if you would come to a private arrangement with you?

Most likely we will end up in court to solve in the financial side of things so I am not holding my breath. But tell me, if we are both living under the same roof can I apply through CMS if finances are separate? Or will need to wait until husband is out?

Phone them and ask. I have always found them helpful

If both under same roof what's happening with mortgage? Re food and bills, is he likely to do a food shop solely for himself and not feed the kids?!

How's he living off the bare minimum? Is he taking dividends also?

To be fair, he does the food shop for him and the kids, but I am left topping every week up. I am also paying bills with him. Not sure if he will pay mortgage this month though! I am also named on the mortgage so I guess I have to keep paying if he deosn't? :( I am assuming he is also taking dividend but don't know the details. In short he is very secretive about his finances, I just don't know. He works for investment banking though and so I am sure he is contracting for big bucks...He just doesn't want to provide for his kids!

Am sorry but am confused, what do you mean by you're topping up and paying bills with him, do you mean you are paying more than 50% or do you think he should be paying for everything 100%? What are you paying towards mortgage?

Yep good luck with that - in my experience a narc will do everything in their power not to pay so they retain control of you. Mine owns a company but declared he was getting an income of £7k per year (successfully hiding the rest).

The CSA do what they can but they are at the whim of the paperwork being provided to them - mine never paid, appealed, changed his information, we had a case open for years until in the end I told him to stuff it. I want to gain my own control back.

You can make an application to CMS if you are separated but also living in the same house, you will need to explain this to them though and they will ask you a series of questions to determine if they can proceed with your application. Also tell them he is a contractor and receives dividends.