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Divorce/separation

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Original poster

Child maintanence fraud

118 replies

LM10000 · 07/05/2025 17:59

Hello,

Just looking for advise really and to see if anyone has been in a similar situation.

Seperated many moons ago. Ended up having to take childs dad to CMS as private arrangements failed.

All going smoothly for a few years. Feb 2025 comes and the annual review puts the payment up by over £100. Childs dad not happy about this and asks for reconsideration. Reconsideration refused by CMS

Day of the payment comes and I get a letter from CMS saying his wife has opened a CMS case.

The paying parent stated he has moved out of the family home. Hard to believe when he has been away with work all year.

Not only has she added their biological child but also her child from a previous relationship.

The paying parent, my sons dad has not disputed that he is not the step child's father and thus CMS are allowing the step child to be named on the case.

This has now reduced my sons entitlement to the tune of £150 per month.

I believe they have not broken up at all and have done this solely to reduce my sons maintenance.

I have disputed it with CMS and have got my MP involved.

Any advice on the situation appreciated.

OP posts:
Pinkdreams · 07/05/2025 18:05

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PositiveLife · 07/05/2025 18:05

His payment would be reduced anyway if he was living with them. My ex has his payment reduced as he has 2 kids living with him (his wife's). They don't have to be his.

Are you sure he's claiming to not be living there, or just claiming the discount?

Pinkdreams · 07/05/2025 18:06

Also they take the same amount off regardless if he lives with his other child or not, same for step children. So it’s not fraud he just mustn’t of told them about his child before

Original poster
LM10000 · 07/05/2025 18:11

PositiveLife · 07/05/2025 18:05

His payment would be reduced anyway if he was living with them. My ex has his payment reduced as he has 2 kids living with him (his wife's). They don't have to be his.

Are you sure he's claiming to not be living there, or just claiming the discount?

They where classed as other relevant children originally. So they where taken in to account.

Definitely claiming not to be living there. Both him and CMS have confirmed that.

OP posts:
Original poster
LM10000 · 07/05/2025 18:12

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Has not seen my child since January. Does not contribute anything other than money.

OP posts:
Minnie798 · 07/05/2025 18:16

Are you certain he has said he doesn't live with the other two children. They would reduce your maintenance payments anyway.

Alternatively, they may have separated- it's probably not news he'd choose to share with you, outside of the cms claim.

weddingguest101 · 07/05/2025 18:18

So how much do you get op?

is he still providing an adequate amount or has the deduction took your payment very low?

if it’s that he’s paying next to nothing I sympathise. If it’s just that you feel entitled but still getting a good amount I sympathise and understand his position.

blubbyblub · 07/05/2025 18:20

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The woman isn’t entitled. The child is. The. The child is entitled to be financed by both their parents. Not just the mother

CatsLikeBoxes · 07/05/2025 18:20

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Do you think a man should support their own child?

Original poster
LM10000 · 07/05/2025 18:45

Minnie798 · 07/05/2025 18:16

Are you certain he has said he doesn't live with the other two children. They would reduce your maintenance payments anyway.

Alternatively, they may have separated- it's probably not news he'd choose to share with you, outside of the cms claim.

No, the 2 children were classed as relevant other children.

They say they have seperated and he's moved out. He did actually tell me that even though we are clearly not amicable.

The wife has opened a CMS case on the basis they do not live together.

My child was receiving 12% of his income.

Now receives 6% so its a considerable drop.

I wouldn't mind so much if the dad actually bothered with my son but he sees him 4 weeks a year and does not contact him in-between visits.

OP posts:
Original poster
LM10000 · 07/05/2025 18:47

weddingguest101 · 07/05/2025 18:18

So how much do you get op?

is he still providing an adequate amount or has the deduction took your payment very low?

if it’s that he’s paying next to nothing I sympathise. If it’s just that you feel entitled but still getting a good amount I sympathise and understand his position.

The dad earns double what I do.

It's my son who is entitled to it, not me.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 07/05/2025 18:53

Do you know the other child's father? Maybe speak to him tell him not to pay child maintenance because you know he isn't the dad 🤔

Either way you can get a copy of that child's birth certificate it will have the father named also child maintenance should be asking him for a rental agreement or council tax bill as proof he is no longer living with his wife

weddingguest101 · 07/05/2025 18:54

LM10000 · 07/05/2025 18:47

The dad earns double what I do.

It's my son who is entitled to it, not me.

Show quote history

That’s not what I asked.

Original poster
LM10000 · 07/05/2025 18:57

Theunamedcat · 07/05/2025 18:53

Do you know the other child's father? Maybe speak to him tell him not to pay child maintenance because you know he isn't the dad 🤔

Either way you can get a copy of that child's birth certificate it will have the father named also child maintenance should be asking him for a rental agreement or council tax bill as proof he is no longer living with his wife

I could potentially get in contact with the step child's biological father but think that would be a last resort. I'd rather CMS investigate them for fraud tbh.

Obviously my sons dad would hit the roof and I would rather not subject my son to that.

The birth certificate is a good idea though, I didn't think of that. Thanks!!

I was hoping the fraud team would investigate bc the army housing would be able to confirm whether they have actually seperated or not.

According to his mum's FB they are still together.

OP posts:
Pinkdreams · 07/05/2025 18:57

LM10000 · 07/05/2025 18:12

Has not seen my child since January. Does not contribute anything other than money.

Show quote history

I think the reason why he hasn’t seen BOTH of your child, is you by the sounds of it, it’s not YOUR child it’s both, are you sure you’re not stopping him

Minnie798 · 07/05/2025 18:59

LM10000 · 07/05/2025 18:45

No, the 2 children were classed as relevant other children.

They say they have seperated and he's moved out. He did actually tell me that even though we are clearly not amicable.

The wife has opened a CMS case on the basis they do not live together.

My child was receiving 12% of his income.

Now receives 6% so its a considerable drop.

I wouldn't mind so much if the dad actually bothered with my son but he sees him 4 weeks a year and does not contact him in-between visits.

Show quote history

So it's possible they have separated,
surely. He's been away all year working, he's an absent father in her house too and she must have felt like she was doing it all herself anyway. Do you have any evidence that he is still living there.

brettsalanger · 07/05/2025 19:01

Why does it matter if they are together or not ?
he would get the discount for living with them or apart from them.

Original poster
LM10000 · 07/05/2025 19:01

Pinkdreams · 07/05/2025 18:57

I think the reason why he hasn’t seen BOTH of your child, is you by the sounds of it, it’s not YOUR child it’s both, are you sure you’re not stopping him

Show quote history

No absolutely not.

Sorry mate, you seem to be very biased. Not all women use kids as weapons.

OP posts:
Original poster
LM10000 · 07/05/2025 19:02

Minnie798 · 07/05/2025 18:59

So it's possible they have separated,
surely. He's been away all year working, he's an absent father in her house too and she must have felt like she was doing it all herself anyway. Do you have any evidence that he is still living there.

Show quote history

Other than his mums fb which suggests they are still together.

I won't have solid evidence until my son visits them in summer.

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 07/05/2025 19:02

@Pinkdreamsyour comments are super strange, and not really related to what the op is saying, but seemingly a projectional rant of some other situation.

AnonWho23 · 07/05/2025 19:03

I'd screen shot pictures of the FB and forward it to CM. Any pictures of family days, posts about love ect

Original poster
LM10000 · 07/05/2025 19:03

brettsalanger · 07/05/2025 19:01

Why does it matter if they are together or not ?
he would get the discount for living with them or apart from them.

He would get discount. Nowhere near as much discount if they where seperated though.

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 07/05/2025 19:05

On the plus side op, at least you don’t have to sleep or live with this complete cunt any more. What a despicable father.

Original poster
LM10000 · 07/05/2025 19:06

arethereanyleftatall · 07/05/2025 19:05

On the plus side op, at least you don’t have to sleep or live with this complete cunt any more. What a despicable father.

Haha I know. 😄

OP posts:
weddingguest101 · 07/05/2025 19:08

Your son is visiting so does see his dad? If he’s living away I’m assuming he has his postal address as another property because he is working away? Just like your son is staying there for short periods.. but he doesn’t live there.