Child Maintenance Eligibility

[Ditsydoorcurtains]

Does anyone have expertise on child maintenance? My STBXH wants to have the kids exactly half the time and believes he will owe no child maintenance if he does.
His earnings are 4x greater than mine. I’m trying to increase my income but I’m wondering if I won’t be eligible to claim child maintenance if he has them half the time?

Still apply for CMS if he is a high earner he may have to pay a token amount, I guess the reference to him not caring for them during the day is if he were SAHP on his days with them and not going out to work?

He may well have to take out a mortgage or cash in his pension to give you the financial settlement you are awarded.

You might not get CM but you might get SM and more than a 50 % share of the assets given that you've been the main caregiver whilst he has progressed his career. I did a few years ago. People on here say you can't get SM any more, but that's not really true, for circs like yours. Or in lieu , you ll get more than 50% of assets for a clean break.

Indernesththeash / cms doesn’t depend on those things at all.

asset split and spousal yes

OP, there’s a lot of incorrect advice on this thread. You must see a solicitor and ensure you get the best possible financial settlement for your circumstances before you get divorced.

If he prefers to book and pay for childcare during his time with the DC, that is going to be up to him for example. A solicitor will be able to talk you through proposed contact pattern for the children and what you could consider doing to have more than 50/50. Even if you use one in the background to inform your discussions with your EX directly, it will be well worth it.

I wouldn't rely on Mumsnet advice for this question. There are lots of helpful and knowledgeable posters but it's hard to know who's advice is correct.