Does the claim for child benefit hold any weight?
ExH has been claiming child benefit and thus UC since we divorced, (5 years ago) he claimed poverty, I earned more so I accepted it. I would recieve CB but not UC due to earnings.
I have been uncomfortable with this arrangement since it started and have made that clear at multiple points in the last 5 years.
I am the primary carer, he probably has her an average of 10 nights a month. He does not contribute financially, at all. I pay for uniform, school dinners, trips, etc. He does feed and clothe her while at his. He does not pay maintainance or give me any money.
He is receiving approx £500 a month through UC and CB.
I have raised again that I am not happy with it. It feels like i'm being taken for a mug.
He is manipulative and claims he will not see DD if I claim the CB as he won't be able to afford to. He works full time and lives with his fiance who works part time and is a student (so I presume recieves student finance) although i recognise she has no responsibility to fund DD.
My question is - does it matter? Morally I know he's a prick, but does it actually give him any rights or does it mean he appears as the resident parent in the eyes of the law? Am I best just leaving it? I earn more than he does, I could do with the money but from what he says it will bankrupt him being unable to claim the money.