CSA Ins And Outs

[InTheLoop101]

Hi

I am just wondering about the ins and outs of this from people who have actually gone down this route.

My ex hasn't paid anything for 4years now, I never asked him, but it's come to the time where he should be. I want to be reasonable with him have a decent agreement instead of the CSA. He has agreed to up the payments but am wondering what he WOULD be paying through the right channels..

I have 2 boys 9 and 10. I am on benefits but am self employed so money and work goes up and down (working tax credits e.t.c)

What would they ask him to pay. He works, I would say 30-35k a year has bills, who doesn't :-)

He has them a total of about 4 days a months on the weekends.

At the moment I am asking for £250 and that is it and I then pay for everything and ask him for nothing. I am not looking to get more out of him yet, but in time this figure may go up. I reckon the CSA would sting him for around £400

Anyone have any 1st hand experience...

Thanks for your time

He also says he elevate it and take it to a judge who will then decide the right amount and have his possible debts taken into account...

20% of his income after deducting tax, NI and pension contributions.

Deduct one-seventh for every 52 nights a year that he has the children overnight (your original post is unclear on whether this is just daytime contact).

His debts aren't taken into account unless they were spent on the relationship. Also it can't get to court as it has nothing to do with it now. Any appeals get dealt with by the independent tribunal service but can't see much scope for appeal in your case, which sounds straight forwards.

Hi thanks for that, what I expected but great to know...

www.cmoptions.org/en/calculator/calculator.asp

Does every one have to pay or only those who are listed as fathers and actually have contact with kids?

Based on 30k - 35k wages, it would be anything from £325 a month to £372, through the CSA.

That's only if he has no other children living in his household, ie. other biological children or step children.

Marianalodnon, all non resident parents are legally supposed to pay child support, either privately or through the CSA. They do not have to have contact with the children or be on their birth certificates/have Parental Responsibility. If a non resident Father refuses to pay and disputes the child is his, the CSA will allow for a DNA test to be done to confirm whether they are or not. If they are, then they will have to pay the cost of the test.

Anyone who is a parent who doesn't live with the child has to pay. Nothing to do with contact or parental responsibility, or birth certificate.

My XP doesn't have anything to do with the DC's (thank God) but he still pays 20% to the CSA every month. Mind you, he's a bit 1950's in his outlook and thinks all Dads should do is provide the cash .

I haven't had any problems with the CSA TBH. As XP was so hopeless he left lots of bits of paperwork here so I had all his bank details, NI number, employers details and we received money within 8 weeks of starting the case.

The CSA are okay if your case is straightforward and they seem to be hitting their targets time limit wise. I recommend you do go down this route, particularly as he has not been paying. They do try to get you to come to an agreement between yourselves, but in my case this was a mistake because he simply didn't pay.

I have had terrible problems with them as my case became extremely complicated - he is known job-hopper, always saying he is laid off, yet doesnt turn up for contact because he is working. This is when you get into difficulties because when the NRP gets paid cash in hand, the CSA just take it that he/she is not working. An employer's word counts for more than the parent with care's sad to say and his employers are friends. This is the negative side however but if matters are straightforward like this and he is in regular employment, not self employed, go for it.

Hi IntheLoop101

First off let me say that you seem an amicable person.

As someone has mentioned here if he is on that money more than £300 is likely to be paid.

If at all possible i would definately recommend that you come to an arrangement mutually for an amount. For someone as you say who "has bills" £300+ might put a big strain on his finances and could actually cause much animosity and resentment and may ignite conflict between you.

Someone has mentioned here that debts of the marriage are taken into account. This is technically not so.

Let me give you an example.

• If you had a joint account/sofas that still has a debt and he is paying it off on your behalf (to help you) the CSA aren't interested.
• However if he is paying for a car loan which you now use then that will be factored in to the calculation under a variation.

One very important piece of advice, with the CSA there is likely an 89% chance that they will not deal with you/your ex and in general your case very well or fairly. It is much better to have yourself and your ex come to an agreement on costs, the CSA should be a last resort.

If i may make a recommendation:

• Choose an amount that you think you need in order to support children monthly
• Then ask him to put money into an account (monthly) for each of them when they are 18/21/25
• Ask for contributions toward school trips and school uniforms and for him to provide pocket money

I guarantee that the above arrangement will likely prove much better than anything the CSA can put together. Try mediation before going to the CSA too!