Child maintenance it’s the “principle”

[Nachobowls]

Should you claim child maintenance even if there are no payments due for the “principle”? I want to close my case as it’s nil assessment but keep hearing how I should keep it open for the “principle” what principle?! There are NO payments? It’s been years. I don’t want to give my ex the satisfaction of laughing at how he gets away with it. I get keeping it open for the principle if there was some payment however small, but there is none.

Its so frustrating for you. The reason my friend does ot even though her twat of an ex also has a nil assessment is because its a minor thorn in his side. If he ever did get a job it would catch up with him. Hes never going to because he is a waste of air but it does limit his freedom. He also gets letters and calls so she says its just this reminder that he does have a child he abandoned should he ever develop human decency. Also she says it isnt her call whether or not to close the case. The money belongs to the child so she has to act in its best interests and its interests are to attempt to collect any money however small. She doesnt want anything from him and would happily cut all ties but the child is entitled.

I dont think the one on the receiving end does laugh about. I think its an annoyance to them. A nagging reminder they aren't really free of and they shouldnt be. I think there needs to be a lot more public shame for parents who dont pay.

That’s a good way to look at it I suppose I didn’t see it that way. I just hate the fact that he probably thinks he is “winning” getting away not paying anything and knowing they have no powers.

When you say 'getting away' with paying nothing - does he have income that he's diverting?

Yes he does, I’m not willing to report though. I have zero proof or evidence so they will not do anything and I don’t want to fight for pennies. I can’t prove anything, it’s not worth it.

They do quite a lot around diverted income - does he also not declare to HMRC?