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Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

50/50 child maintenance

6 replies

Anothertomorrow · 07/03/2026 19:29

I have 3 children, one doesn't see his dad (15 and was able to speak for himself during court proceedings well enough to give good reasons and was left out of court order on the back of it).
The younger 2 were defaulted to a 50/50 arrangement as courts like this and they were fairly close to that before.

My ex has paid £7 per week maintenance for a few years, even when all 3 were with me the majority of the time. So £7 for 3 children.

As soon as the new court order was printed he adjusted the CMS with new arrangement, but he still pays the same, its just £7 per week for the one he doesnt see or contribute to and nil for the others which is fine.

Now, hes trying to make it so he is the main career with CMS, and been denied twice... and hes taking it to court tribunal.

I work a part time job, its not a huge amount of money, but I can balance work around the children and work more when the younger 2 are at their dads.

He is either self employed or unemployed, has never been employed and avoided work the whole 20 years we were together. His income is about £40-£80 per week according to CMS.

I left him 8/ 9 years ago, there have been multiple court cases started by him, so much so that there is a barring order for family court, because its unnecessary and damaging to the children.

Now its new court cases that I can't stop and have no choice to attend, more paperwork...its exhausting

I think he might want me to pay him maintenance? Is this even possible in our situation?

Oh and I'm 19 weeks pregnant so will be on maternity pay soon too. So obviously going to court isn't exactly on the top of my list of things to do again this year, its stressful and I need to not be stressed.

Anyone ever been through this?

OP posts:
Unexpectedlysinglemum · 08/03/2026 00:21

There is another thread on here about a woman who was perusing her ex for CMS even though they were5050 then he got the children to live with him slightly more and got the child benefit changed so she had to pay him child maintenance perhaps someone can remember what it’s called and link it. If you search 5050 and child maintenance you might find it it’s within last year

millymollymoomoo · 08/03/2026 07:32

If it’s 50:50 you’d not be due any maintenance for those children, only your son.

if he has the children more than 50:50 you’d owe cms on that based on number of overnights he has that ( less wgat he’d owe for your son )

its unclear why you only work part

Anothertomorrow · 08/03/2026 09:49

Thats what I thought and thats how it is and should be.
We are 50/50 there is no money exchanged. Seems fair.
The £7 per week for the other child seems low, but its whats decided I havent asked for more ever.
I believe he should want to contribute.

So now court again. For another pointless fight?

OP posts:
RandomMess · 08/03/2026 09:52

Does he get child benefit for any of them?

Anothertomorrow · 08/03/2026 10:02

Hes trying for that too.
He had put in court documents that he wanted the children 50/50 for benefits, so I'm not shocked.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 08/03/2026 11:46

Well the most he could get is 1 lot of child benefit - 50/50 on the ones you do 50/50 for.

I guess it would be the gateway for him to get more benefits though. I suspect why that is really about tbh.

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