Child maintenance, high earners and pension question

[Aeamathsguru]

Divorce is still being negotiated, but I expect to get child maintenance payments from dh, who earns just over 100k plus large bonuses. As a sahm, I will likely end up asset rich (owning a house) but income poor (part time self employed as caring for sen child).

Am I correct I thinking that child maintenance is calculated on stbx’s last tax return to hmrc? If so, I’ll be fine for a while as his last tax return to April 2021 was quite large. But (and I know I shouldn’t have) could a glimpse of his most recent payslip, and it seems that he is currently paying almost half of his income into his pension.

Does this reduce his child maintenance liability for the next tax year?

Sorry I didn’t realise your child had SEN when I commented but I honestly do think the best hope for your own self is to train in a career that will bring you a good steady income.

relying on CM - he could quit his job at any time, he could do all sorts of things and relying on him could be a very risky move.

good luck and I do hope your child’s succeeds and makes it to university

Even if you get a higher child maintenance award stamped by the court in a consent order, he can file a claim with the CMS after 366 days, which will automatically override it. Just over £100k is not the CMS maximum earnings, but PP are correct in saying it’s assessed after pension contributions. The CMS calculator online will give you a rough outline if you know his figures. There’s unfortunately nothing to stop him putting 99% of his salary into his pension, if he had someone else supporting him, for example. CMS is only calculated after this. You need to see a lawyer but also get as much of a clean break as possible.