What does a CSA payment include?

[Rosedagger]

I have two children and two step children. My husband pays an agreed amount to CSA to his ex wife. We have no issues with this.

Things are difficult financially at the moment and his ex has announced that she has placed his son in a high school some miles away that isnt the "feeder" school. There will now be a cost for a bus to get him to school plus we will have to drive him 3 miles each day just to get this bus. She has told us we are obligated to pay this extra cost.

We already pay for school diners and breakfast club on our days, half of school trips etc I really don't know how much more we can pay. The children are with us one night short of 50% so this cost would mount up.

Can anyone give me some advice? I phoned CSA and they told me I wasnt obligated however she won't listen to this saying CSA have told her differently and that she wants us to put it in writing from a solicitor?!? Again this is another cost I could do without.

You aren't FORCED to pay it, but if it is in the best interest of the child maybe you should pay it?

We are struggling to pay what we already pay which should be more than enough to cover the costs. Thanks for your reply.

CSA payment is a fixed payment which is decided on a percentage of your wage. The CSA do not tell the parent what the money has to be spent on. The ex CANNOT insist that you pay anymore than what you have been told to pay. what the CSA told you is correct.

You are not obligated to pay this extra money and she basically cannot make you. If I was you I would only pay what the CSA says you have to pay then it will make her realise that you are paying over and beyond what you should be and she is lucky that you do.

Just ignore her, she can't force you to pay it, and going to the CSA won't get her the extra. The onus is on her to prove you have to pay it, not on you, to prove you don't.

Thank you VodkaJelly for your reply its really helpful. Sadly it seems whatever we do it is never enough. We will deffo refuse to pay but I have no doubt we will have a lot of abuse etc. Thank you.

Thanks HerRoyalNotness for your reply its really helpful too.

Child support is a contribution to the general costs of raising a child. The reduction for overnight stays is so the "non-resident parent" can cover the general costs when the child is staying with them.

Agree with STIDW.

she is trying it on. You don't and shouldn't pay anymore and why should YOU have to get a Solicitors letter to say that? The cheeky mare!

MOSagain thanks my thoughts exactly!

But bear in mind that CSA money is the MINIMUM a NRP can contribute legally,

Thanks RedHelenB I do bear this in mind, on top of the money she gets from us for the one night difference in care, we pay for school dinners and breakfast club on our days, half school trips, clothing and shoes our house, school uniform at our house etc etc we basically pay for everything whilst they are with us which is a lot of the time. For the 1 night extra she has them we pay £200 csa. I think this is more than enough when she is also getting child benefit, and tax credits on top of a decent wage. Despite this it is never enough and we just get a pile of abuse if we don't give in. We are struggling financially and I don't think I should feel guilty at drawing a line